Rockingham Park

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Rockingham Park was a harness racing track in Salem, New Hampshire. It was considered a New England institution, as it was the first race track established in the region, and it conducted live racing during a May through September season.

Also known as "The Rock," the track was known for its beautiful country setting and quality racing.

In addition to regular harness races, Rockingham Park hosted special racing events of regional significance. These included the Dr. Harry Zweig Memorial Trot, the $25,000 Mountain Skipper Final, the $12,000 Invitational Pace, the $10,000 No No Yankee Final, and the $10,000 Summer Wine Final.

Rockingham Park Facts

Length of Stretch	:	991'
Width of Homestretch	:	(est.) 83'
Grandstand Capacity	:	10,000 people
Clubhouse Capacity	:	10,000 people
Parking Capacity	:	5,000 cars

Rockingham Park Records

Handle	:	$766,082 on March 6, 1971
Attendance	:	17,230 people on March 23, 1962

History of Rockingham Park

1906

On June 28, Rockingham Park opened its doors to more than 10,000 fans. The press proclaimed the new $1 million facility the world's finest racecourse.
After the end of the first season, the track remained shuttered to horse racing for 25 years.

1912

The first Rockingham Fair opened on the grounds. The fairs continued for the next several years.

1917

Rockingham Park was used as a bivouac site for the 14th United States Army Corps of Engineers before they sailed off to France.

1933

Rockingham Park reopened. The opening thoroughbred racing season was a great success, and the track quickly became known as "The Rock".

1934-1935

Great horses like Seabiscuit, Discovery, and Brass Monkey were among the notable horses that saw action at Rockingham Park.

1957

In April, harness racing returned to the Rock with a spring and fall meet while the thoroughbred meet was held in the summer.

1964

The New Hampshire Sweeps, the first sweepstakes lottery in the United States, was created. It was based on the Irish Sweepstakes where the results are taken from the outcomes of horse races.

1965-67

The annual N.H. Sweeps run in 1965, 1966 and 1967 were the richest races in the country for three-year-olds.

1960s - 1970s

Legendary riders Edie Arcaro, Johnnie Longden, Bill Shoemaker, George Woolf, and Bobby Ussery all rode at the Rock. Modern day superstars and Hall of Famers Pat Day and Chris McCarron called Rockingham home early in their careers.
Famous harness drivers who raced at Rockingham during this time included Hall of Fame members John Chapman, Jim Doherty, Stanley Dancer, Bill Haughton and Bob Farrington, plus Leroy Copeland, Walt Warrington, and Wally Ross. The track was also a proving ground for some of Thoroughbred and harness racing's top horse men and racing officials.

1980

On July 29, a fire destroyed the grandstand and damaged the clubhouse, and the 68-day meeting was canceled.

1984

The track opened in 1984 with a state-of-the-art new clubhouse.

1986

A turf course was installed.

1991

A plush Sports Club and family Picnic Pavilion were added.

1990s to 2002

Rockingham Park remained as New Hampshire's only Thoroughbred track.

2003

Harness racing was re-introduced.

2016

Rockingham Park officially closed after its final live racing season in August 31, 2016.
Declining attendance, increased competition from casinos, and financial difficulties contributed to the shutdown.
The closure marked the end of more than a century of racing history at the iconic venue.

2017–Present

Following its closure, the property entered a major redevelopment phase.
The site has been transformed into a mixed-use development known as Tuscan Village, featuring retail spaces, restaurants, offices, and residential areas.
While the racetrack itself no longer operates, its legacy remains an important part of American horse racing history.

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