In July, the Chicago-area horse racing scene ended with the closure of Hawthorne Race Course. This closure marked 40 years since Arlington Park’s renowned 1986 International Festival of Racing. The festival was an incomparable event in Illinois racing history, featuring 13 days of top-tier graded races, or group races as known in Europe.
The International Festival of Racing
Occurring from August 19 to September 1, 1986, the festival included 13 graded races, comprising six Grade I, four Grade II, and three Grade III races. Additionally, there were four significant races specifically for Illinois-bred horses. This event’s purses totaled over $5 million, offering an average daily payout of approximately $385,000. This was a record for Illinois, only surpassed in 2002 when Arlington hosted the Breeders’ Cup.
Arlington’s Racing Community
The festival inspired by the previous year’s “Miracle Million” was a major attraction with a daily attendance of 17,819 and average bets of $2,383,052 placed both on track and at simulcast locations. Despite challenges, including the destruction of their clubhouse and grandstand by fire, Arlington pushed forward with racing on temporarily erected structures.
In 1986, Dick Duchossois, Arlington’s majority owner, orchestrated an event aimed at global recognition with European racing predominantly on grass. Using Arlington’s premier grass courses, fans also enjoyed diverse concession stands resembling a mini Taste of Chicago.
Memorable Moments and Achievements
Except for the Breeders’ Cup, there never has been a meeting like this.— Nick Clark, President of the International Racing Bureau.
The Arlington Million in 1986 marked a key milestone. Estrapade emerged as the only female winner in the race’s history. Her 5-length victory set a record margin for the 1¼-mile race, attended by top trainers and jockeys from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Despite stiff competition, notable upsets occurred, including a win by long shot Sumptuous, resulting in considerable payouts for bettors. Key figures, such as local jockey Earlie Fires and trainer Lou Goldfine, thrived at the festival.
Arlington’s Evolution and Decline
The success prompted Duchossois to convert the temporary setup into a 91-day meeting in 1987. Plans for a comprehensive rebuild shifted Arlington’s location, leading to a temporary relocation of the Million race. The elaborately reconstructed track reopened in 1989 to wide acclaim.
However, Duchossois’ ventures with the legislature and eventual merger with Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI), while initially promising, ended with Arlington’s operations winding down. CDI’s acquisition of Rivers Casino and subsequent sale of Arlington’s property to the Chicago Bears led to the track’s final closure in 2021. The Million, renamed the Mr. D. Stakes, saw reduced purses and diminished prestige.
Today, global races like The Everest and the Saudi Cup outpace the Million’s prize offerings. The Breeders’ Cup has grown significantly, attracting numerous international entries annually.
Bob Kieckhofer from The Blood-Horse reflects on Duchossois’ significant contributions to international racing, considering the legacy left behind by events such as the 1986 Festival, a reminder of a bygone era of horse racing excellence in Illinois.