Del Mar Thoroughbred Club occupies one of the most spectacular coastal settings in American racing.

Some racetracks are famous for their history, others for their champions, and a select few for the society that gathers around them. Del Mar Racetrack, on the Southern California coast just north of San Diego, has all three.

Since opening in 1937, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has represented a particularly appealing side of American horse racing. The Pacific Ocean provides the scenery, Hollywood supplied the original glamour, and generations of legendary horses have furnished the excitement.

Its celebrated motto, "Where the Turf Meets the Surf," is more than a clever advertising phrase. Del Mar combines first-class Thoroughbred competition with an atmosphere of summer holidays, elegant parties, seaside dining and fashionable California living. A day at this track can feel as much like attending a social occasion as visiting a sporting venue.

Bing Crosby's Racetrack: A Hollywood Beginning

Seabiscuit's Legendary Match Race of 1938

One of the most famous racing events in Del Mar history occurred on August 12, 1938, when the celebrated Thoroughbred Seabiscuit met Ligaroti in a winner-take-all match race that captured national attention.

Seabiscuit, owned by automobile entrepreneur Charles S. Howard, was ridden by the brilliant George "The Iceman" Woolf. His opponent, Ligaroti, was associated with the Binglin Stable partnership of Crosby and Howard, and was ridden by Noel Richardson.

Approximately 20,000 spectators crowded into Del Mar, while a national radio audience followed the contest. The horses battled throughout the race, with Seabiscuit carrying 130 pounds against Ligaroti's 115.

In a dramatic finish, Seabiscuit prevailed by a nose.

The event became one of the defining moments of Del Mar's early years. More importantly, it demonstrated that a relatively new Southern California racetrack could command attention throughout the country.

Seabiscuit's remarkable career would make him a national folk hero during the Great Depression. His triumphs offered millions of Americans a welcome distraction from economic hardship, and Del Mar had played a memorable part in that story.

The Pacific Classic: Del Mar's Million-Dollar Showcase

If the Kentucky Derby is the centerpiece of Churchill Downs and the Travers Stakes defines Saratoga's championship tradition, the Pacific Classic is the signature race at Del Mar.

First contested in 1991, the Pacific Classic is a Grade 1 Thoroughbred race at 1¼ miles on dirt. Its $1 million purse makes it one of the most prestigious events on the West Coast racing calendar.

The inaugural running was won by Best Pal, a popular California-bred owned by John and Betty Mabee. John Mabee had been instrumental in establishing the race, making the opening victory especially appropriate.

Four Pacific Classic Performances Worth Remembering

The Pacific Classic is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, offering its winner an automatic qualifying berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic, subject to the series' conditions.

Breeders' Cup Championships Bring the World to Del Mar

Del Mar's international reputation has risen substantially through its association with the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The track hosted the prestigious event in 2017, 2021, 2024 and 2025, welcoming elite Thoroughbreds from the United States, Europe, Japan and other major racing jurisdictions.

These championship weekends brought international owners, trainers, prominent racing families and wealthy enthusiasts to the San Diego coastline.

In 2025, Japanese champion Forever Young captured the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, defeating Sierra Leone and delivering another milestone for Japanese racing on American soil.

The 2025 championships generated approximately $180 million in common-pool wagering over two days, illustrating the immense financial significance of international racing at Del Mar.

Although the 2026 Breeders' Cup takes place at Keeneland and the 2027 event is scheduled for Belmont Park, Del Mar has established itself as a proven destination for future world championship racing.

Opening Day: Fashion, Champagne and Fabulous Hats

Elaborate hats and fashionable summer attire are part of Del Mar's famous Opening Day festivities.

Although the quality of the racing is exceptional, Del Mar's Opening Day celebrations have evolved into one of the most fashionable annual gatherings in Southern California.

Women arrive in elaborate hats, colorful dresses and stylish summer outfits, while men frequently favor linen jackets, smart casual tailoring and the occasional adventurous fashion statement.

The track's celebrated Opening Day Hats Contest has become a social attraction in its own right. Entrants compete with everything from beautiful traditional millinery to extravagant creations that would command attention at any major international racing festival.

The atmosphere is lively without being excessively formal. Del Mar appeals to serious owners, trainers and horseplayers, but it also attracts visitors who simply enjoy elegant surroundings, fashionable company, cocktails and an entertaining afternoon.

That combination of sport and social spectacle is a large part of the track's enduring attraction.

The Turf Club and Del Mar's Luxury Lifestyle

Unlike many racetracks located in distant suburban settings, Del Mar benefits from its proximity to beaches, luxury resorts, restaurants and affluent coastal communities such as La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe.

A racing weekend can easily include fine dining, golf, oceanfront accommodations, shopping and visits to Southern California's celebrated beaches.

Why Horseplayers Enjoy Del Mar

Del Mar's 2026 Fall Racing Season: The Bing Crosby Meet

Following a successful summer season that concluded September 7, Del Mar returns for its annual Bing Crosby Season, November 6–29, 2026.

The fall meeting offers a different personality from the fashionable summer crowds. The emphasis shifts toward championship-caliber competition, particularly on the turf, while the cooler coastal weather makes the grandstands especially pleasant.

One of the highlights is the four-day FanDuel Racing Turf Festival, scheduled for November 26–29. The festival attracts leading turf runners and trainers from around the country, with major stakes races for different age groups and distances.

Upcoming Del Mar Racing Events — November 2026

Race dates and purses reflect the announced 2026 fall stakes schedule and may be subject to change.

The Thanksgiving weekend program, particularly the Hollywood Derby and Matriarch Stakes, promises some of the highest-quality turf racing of Del Mar's autumn season.

Information about the 2027 summer racing season will be available through the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club as future dates and events are confirmed.

A Weekend in Del Mar: Beaches, Fine Dining and Coastal Elegance

One of the attractions of visiting Del Mar is that the racing experience does not end when the final horse crosses the finish line.

The Future of Del Mar Thoroughbred Racing

As American Thoroughbred racing continues to evolve, Del Mar occupies an enviable position. Its desirable location, established prestige, racing quality and strong visitor appeal give it advantages that many tracks cannot easily reproduce.

The 2026 summer meeting illustrated that strength. Despite changes throughout the wider racing industry, Del Mar continued to attract major owners, competitive fields and substantial national wagering interest.

The track has also placed considerable emphasis on racing safety, veterinary oversight and the long-term welfare of equine and human participants. Maintaining public confidence in the sport remains essential to the future of American racing.

Del Mar is approaching its ninetieth anniversary in 2027, an occasion that offers an opportunity to celebrate nearly nine decades of California racing tradition while introducing a new generation of visitors to the sport.

The elegance of the Turf Club, the excitement of championship racing and the beauty of the surrounding coastline continue to set Del Mar apart.

Its original Hollywood founders would undoubtedly recognize the spirit of the place, even if today's grandstand, wagering technology and international racing industry are considerably different from those of 1937.

Nearly ninety years after Bing Crosby welcomed the first racing fans through its gates, Del Mar remains a place where fast horses, beautiful scenery and good company come together in unmistakable California style.