Hawthorne Race Course Closed: Where Chicago's Racehorses Went and How to Adopt One

Hawthorne Race Course closing: what happened

The Hawthorne Race Course closing ended Thoroughbred racing at the Stickney, Illinois, track just outside Chicago. It ran its last live race on July 19, 2026, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Feb. 27, according to Thoroughbred Daily News. The last three horses left the backstretch on the morning of Aug. 31, BloodHorse reported.

The property was sold in a court-approved bankruptcy sale for $90 million to a developer that does not plan to continue live racing, according to U.S. Trotting News. Hawthorne applied for 2027 racing dates, but on Sept. 16, 2026 the Illinois Racing Board ruled that its application was deficient and not in compliance with the Illinois Racing Act, and approved Fairmount Park for 73 Thoroughbred programs in 2027. Fairmount Park in Collinsville is now Illinois' only active track, per BloodHorse.

Racing has owners, seasons and finances, and none of that is the horses' doing. The practical question for readers is where the animals go.

What happens to racehorses when a track closes

Most horses still have an owner and a trainer, so most simply ship to another track. A mid-July court filing counted 447 horses on the Hawthorne backstretch. After July 19 some trainers moved horses to other tracks, and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) president estimated about 215 remained in early August.

Some horses retire at the same moment. Older horses, slower horses and those with sore legs often finish their careers when a barn has to move. That is where retirement programs come in.

Typical paths for a retiring racehorse:

• Transfer to another track, often in a different state.
• Rest at a farm, then a decision about a second career.
• Retraining program such as Galloping Out, which prepares horses for adoption.
• Private sale or rehoming by the owner or trainer.
• Breeding, for a small number of mares and stallions.

Galloping Out: how the Chicago program works

The ITHA launched Galloping Out in 2010 as a not-for-profit that funds the care, rehabilitation and retraining of retired racehorses. An ITHA release from several years ago said Galloping Out had found new homes, most of them in Illinois, for nearly 300 horses retired from Hawthorne and, previously, Arlington Park; we found no updated count since Hawthorne closed.

Horses are rehabbed and retrained at partner farms in several Illinois towns before they go to permanent homes. We could not confirm an adoption fee on the program's own site, so ask Galloping Out for the current amount.

Expect an application and reference checks, and check the program's current requirements before you apply.

How an ex-racer is retrained

A racehorse is trained to go forward, fast, with a jockey perched over its shoulders. A riding horse needs almost the opposite: slow down, balance and answer precise cues. Retraining is mostly unlearning.

A typical sequence:

1. Let-down time. Weeks of turnout to settle body and mind.
2. Vet and hoof check. A full exam, a farrier visit, teeth and weight.
3. Groundwork. Leading, standing still, tying and handling. See our groundwork guide.
4. Under saddle at the walk and trot. Straightness, steering, stopping and a relaxed head.
5. A new job. Trail riding, hunters and jumpers, dressage, polo or simply a pleasure horse.

The timeline depends on the horse. Some are ready in a couple of months; others take a year or more. For the wider world of off-the-track Thoroughbreds, read What Is an OTTB?

Is a fresh ex-racer right for you?

Plainly: a fresh ex-racer is usually not a horse for a beginner or a child. Thoroughbreds are athletic, sensitive and often very forward.

A well-retrained, quiet OTTB can be a lovely mount, but that horse has had months of professional work. If you are new, a seasoned older schoolmaster is usually a safer start. Work with a trainer you trust and never take on a horse like this alone.

Plan for space, cost and experience

The adoption fee is the small part. Thoroughbreds often need extra feed to hold weight, and many arrive with old injuries or tender feet.

Questions to ask before you say yes:

• What are the horse's age, race history and known injuries?
• How long has it been retrained, and who has ridden it?
• Does it stand tied, live outside and load on a trailer?
• Will the program take it back if it doesn't work out?

What to do next

If you want to help but can't adopt, donate or volunteer with a recognized program, or take lessons on an OTTB at a barn that retrains them.

If you can adopt, start with the program's application, then book a visit, a ride and a vet check. Watch for ITHA updates on how many Hawthorne horses still need homes. Reading how to adopt a horse first will save you money and heartache.