The New York state town of Goshen in Orange County boasts a rich history and population of just over 14,000. The town was mooted as early as 1654 when settlers began arriving, although they did not arrive in large numbers until 1714, and the town was not established until 1784. The town, and its surrounding region, is most famous for its historic harness racing track, a 1/3rd mile circular track which opened in 1838, making it the oldest in the World. There is evidence to indicate that races did take place in the 1750s on Main Street, but formal racing on a track did not happen until 1838. In the latter part of the 19th century it welcomed its most famous visitor when, on 24 June 1873, President Ulysses S Grant watched the races around the newly built present day 4 furlong oval track with its 152 metre home straight. |
Pari-mutuel betting ceased in the mid-1970s on the death of Mr E Roland Harriman, a leading member of the controlling family of the track for a considerable period of its history, but the track continues to offer a limited programme of harness races each Sunday and June, with a week of principal races, the Grand Circuit Races, between the end of June and Independence Day. It also celebrates its history via its Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. |
