The Illinois Harness Horseman's Association (IHHA) has reported that racing will officially end at Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago with a sales date and backstretch closing date affirmed by U.S. federal bankruptcy court.
IHHA, which represents owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and grooms in the state, shared an update with its membership regarding Hawthorne, stating that a “stalking horse” bid was made by a non-racing entity for $90 million USD in a Monday, July 13 auction and the court finalized the sale at a Hawthorne bankruptcy sales hearing in Monday, July 20. The backstretch at Hawthorne will officially close on Aug. 31 and the sales date will either be Sept. 1 or Sept. 2.
A fourth generation family-owned business for more than a century, Hawthorne Race Course was purchased by Allimac 2023 LLC, which is reported to be a Delaware-based real estate company with plans to redevelop the site.
Tim Carey, president and CEO of Hawthorne Race Course, stated that "this does not yet mark the end of Hawthorne as a business,” according to a written statement published by The Chicago Tribune. “We will continue to host intertrack wagering at our network of betting bars and we will absolutely explore every available option to once again host racing.”
Hawthorne Race Course, which hosted both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing, filed for a Chapter 11 Reorganization in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Chicago on Feb. 27, 2026.
The last races at the track were held on July 19, 2026 for Thoroughbreds and Dec. 27, 2025 for Standardbreds.
(With files from Illinois Harness Horseman's Association & The Chicago Tribune)