Saratoga Race Course opened on August 3rd, 1863. It stands as one of America’s oldest and most prestigious sporting venues and remains the oldest major thoroughbred track still in continuous operation.

The track was born from the vision of John Morrissey, a former bare-knuckle boxing champion who organized the first thoroughbred races during the Civil War.

Today, the track encompasses over 350 acres and remains a summer pilgrimage for racing enthusiasts who celebrate its lush landscape(s) and historic wooden grandstand that evoke an era when the sport defined American leisure and wealth.

When Morrissey organized the first races during the American Civil War, he transformed a resort town into a horse racing destination. The grandstand roof (at that time) featured shamrock cutouts—a nod to Morrissey’s Irish heritage and a wish of luck to bettors.

Over time, Boston-based architect Herbert Langford Warren and his successors created a collection of structures that blend simplicity with grandeur, turning Saratoga into what Morrissey himself called the most classic racecourse in the country.

Saratoga quickly became the gold standard for American racing. Its beauty and design fascinated and delighted all those in attendance on opening day.

A New York Times reporter was on hand that opening day and compared the grandstand to Ascot or Goodwood in England- a comparison that still resonates 160 years later.

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga begins Wednesday, June 3rd and runs through Sunday, June 7th.