Monmouth Park Racetrack

Monmouth Park Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing complex found just a few miles from Long Branch in Oceanport, New Jersey. The venue, which boasts a long and rich history, was established back in July 1870, making it one of the longest-running racing venues in the state.

The history of Monmouth Park

The track was the brainchild of New York businessman, John F. Chamberlain, New Jersey Senate President, Amos Robbins and Adams Express Company President, John Hoey. Together, they wanted to create an establishment that would celebrate and enhance horse racing culture in America. Another ambition was to increase summer trade for shore communities; an objective that was well and truly met!

The venue's initial meet came in the shape of a five-day event, which drew strong crowds including some of America's most renowned horse people. This saw Monmouth Park become informally known as 'The Newmarket of America'. Newmarket is an iconic horse racing venue in the UK that hosts some of the most critically acclaimed races on the international horse racing calendar.

The track began to face financial woes, causing it to shut its doors just four years after they opened. However, Monmouth Park was given a new lease of life in 1878 when George L. Lorillard, D.D. Withers, G.P. Wetmore and James Gordon Bennett grouped to re-launch the racing business. The syndicate took 4 years to renovate the venue which involved rebuilding the grandstand and bringing the grounds back to their former glory. Then in 1894, the state imposed a ban on wagering on horses. This resulted in the track's closure and the absence of horse racing at Monmouth Park for 50+ years.

In 1946 another owner stepped in. It was in this year that the Monmouth Park Jockey Club was formed. On the first day under its new leadership a huge 18,724 attended Monmouth Park, seeing the venue packed to the rafters. The venue retained its name as a top racing destination and in 1986 the business changed hands once more. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority purchased the famous establishment, allegedly paying $45 million for the venue and its associated businesses.

The organization at this point decided to revive some of its older fixtures, reinstating the Monmouth Cup; a race that was established in 1884. The event was given the new title of the Philip H. Iselin Handicap in homage to a previous owner at Monmouth Park.

The Monmouth Park Track

The venue's most distinctive feature is its main track, which covers a distance of one mile (1.6 km). This is an oval-shaped dirt track that incorporates chutes covering 6 furlongs. The circumference of the course is around seven furlongs. There is also a diagonal extended path which is used for races that sit within 1 mile and 1⅛ miles.

The course has been revised and restored many times, most notably in 2006 when an additional chute was introduced to accommodate 5½ furlong sprints.

Notable Races at Monmouth Park

The Monmouth Park fixtures list has changed many times over the years, with each new owner having their input in the events to take place at the venue. Below, we profile the most celebrated races hosted at the Newmarket of America.

Haskell Stakes: The Haskell Stakes was inaugurated in 1968, making it a long-standing fixture for Monmouth Park. This is a Grade 1 thoroughbred race that covers 1 and 1/8 miles. The event is held annually, usually in the month of July and has a reputation for being the pinnacle of summer racing at Monmouth Park. The Haskell Stakes draws in huge interest from the international racing community. This is arguably due to its sizable purse of $1,000,000. The most successful horse in the race's storied history is Bet Twice who completed the race in 1:47.00 back in 1987. This is the quickest time recorded. The winner of the Haskell stake automatically gains entry into Breeders' Cup Classic; an annual series which is famed for featuring the best horses and jockeys in America.

United Nations Stakes: The United Nations Stakes is another Grade 1 race run at Monmouth Park. Also, held in July, this race is open to horses of three years and above. Participating horses cover a distance of one and three-eighth miles with the purse standing at an attractive $500,000. With roots dating back to 1953, the United Nations Stakes is a prominent race that is eagerly anticipated by racegoers. The quickest horse to complete the course is currently 2017 winner, Bigger Picture, who finished in 2:10.81.

Monmouth Stakes: The Monmouth Stakes is a Monmouth Park race that was established in 2008. The event was created on request when it was communicated that Classic winner, Big Brown, wanted to compete in a turf race in the middle of September. From here, the Monmouth Stakes was born. In 2018, the race was classified as a Grade 3 event. It is open to three-year-old horses and boasts a purse of $150,000. 2012 winner, Data Link, holds the record for the quickest winning time, having completed the race in just 1:45.93.

Other important races held at Monmouth Park include the Eatontown Handicap, Matchmaker Stakes, Molly Pitcher Stakes, Monmouth Oaks, Monmouth Cup Stakes, Oceanport Stakes, Philip H. Iselin Stakes, Red Bank Stakes and the Salvator Mile Stakes.