Detroit Race Course
Encyclopedia
The Detroit Race Course was a horse racing
facility in the Detroit, Michigan
suburb of Livonia
in the United States
. Opened in 1950, it hosted Thoroughbred
flat racing
and harness racing
for Standardbreds.
The business was sold to Ladbrokes
of England
and in 1985 harness racing was discontinued. Racing ended after the 1998 season, and in May of 1999 Ladbrokes announced the sale of Detroit Race Course. The new owners demolished the facilities in the summer of 1999 to make way for commercial development.
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
facility in the Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
suburb of Livonia
Livonia, Michigan
Livonia is a city in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Livonia is a very large suburb with an array of traditional neighborhoods connected to the metropolitan area by freeways. The population was 96,942 at the 2010 census, making it Michigan's 9th largest...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Opened in 1950, it hosted Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
and harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
for Standardbreds.
The business was sold to Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes plc is a British based gambling company. It is based in Rayners Lane in Harrow, London owned by Bhavin Kakaiya. From 14 May 1999 to 23 February 2006, when it owned the Hilton hotel brand outside the United States, it was known as Hilton Group plc...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and in 1985 harness racing was discontinued. Racing ended after the 1998 season, and in May of 1999 Ladbrokes announced the sale of Detroit Race Course. The new owners demolished the facilities in the summer of 1999 to make way for commercial development.