Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel Announces Inaugural Oak Grove Festival of Racing
Oak Grove Festival of Racing
OAK GROVE, KY (November 4, 2025) – Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel, Churchill Downs Incorporated’s premier harness facility, announced today the Oak Grove Festival of Racing, a new marquee event debuting in May 2026. The festival will anchor Oak Grove’s continued emergence as a leading harness racing destination and will showcase two new signature stakes:
- $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby — for three-year-old trotters
- $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks — for three-year-old trotting fillies
Elimination races are scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, following Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs, with finals on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in conjunction with the Preakness Stakes. Championship Day at Oak Grove will feature more than $1.25 million in total purses on the live racing program.
The Oak Grove Festival of Racing is a collaborative initiative of Churchill Downs Incorporated, Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel, and the Kentucky Harness Association. In addition to elevating competitive opportunities for horsemen, the festival will include a philanthropic component benefitting key industry and community partners.
“The growth and excitement around Kentucky harness racing have been a bright spot for the entire sport,” said Bill Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “Establishing this signature event further stamps Oak Grove as a premier racing and entertainment destination. With steady growth in purses and race days—and our focus on delivering exceptional fan experiences—the Oak Grove Festival of Racing is an exciting next step.”
“Harness racing in Kentucky has seen a spectacular resurgence, fueled by the dynamic and unifying partnership with the teams at Oak Grove and Churchill Downs,” said Kenny Jackson of the Kentucky Harness Association. “This alliance has allowed us to reclaim our title as the harness capital of the world. We expect this exciting new event will become the annual kickoff for the sport across North America and beyond and position us to attract new fans and participants to the exciting world of harness racing.”
Additional details, including wagering menus, hospitality offerings and charitable beneficiaries, will be announced in the coming months.
About Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel is a premier harness racing and gaming destination in Oak Grove, Kentucky, dedicated to providing a world-class experience to guests and supporting the local community. Oak Grove’s annual 36-day race meet is conducted from mid-March through mid-July with average daily purses ranking among the leaders in North America.
About Churchill Downs, Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) has been creating extraordinary entertainment experiences for over 150 years, beginning with the company’s most iconic and enduring asset, the Kentucky Derby. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, CDI has expanded through the development of live and historical racing entertainment venues, the growth of the TwinSpires horse racing online wagering business and the operation and development of regional casino gaming properties. www.churchilldownsincorporated.com
About the Kentucky Harness Association
The Kentucky Harness Association exists to promote, support and facilitate growth in the harness industry in Kentucky and to promote and encourage cooperative efforts among racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and drivers, fans, and other industry participants for the overall benefit of the industry. The KHA strives to increase visibility on issues that impact the industry on local, state, and national levels while continuing to promote the Kentucky harness racing and breeding industry. www.kentuckyharness.com
