Live horse racing will return to Grants Pass this September as Grants Pass Downs prepares to open its 2026 Fall Race Meet at the Don Jackson Racing Facility at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, giving residents and visitors another opportunity to enjoy one of Southern Oregon’s longstanding seasonal traditions.
Opening day is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, with the fall meet continuing through Monday, October 12. The season will feature 10 days of live pari-mutuel horse racing held across five weekends, bringing Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse competition back to the local track.
Racing is scheduled for September 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, followed by October 4, 5, 11 and 12. Post times will vary throughout the meet, with select race days beginning at 1 p.m., others at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., allowing both afternoon and evening racing throughout the season.
The upcoming fall meet follows the completion of the summer racing schedule and continues a tradition that has made Grants Pass Downs Oregon’s premier commercial horse racing venue. Located at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, the facility has hosted live racing for decades and continues to attract horses, jockeys, trainers and racing enthusiasts from across Oregon and neighboring states.
In addition to the racing itself, spectators can expect a full day at the track with grandstand seating, pari-mutuel wagering, food and beverage vendors, and a family-friendly atmosphere designed to welcome both longtime racing fans and first-time visitors. Organizers anticipate fields of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse competitors throughout the meet, with races conducted under the oversight of the Oregon Racing Commission.
The fall schedule also provides another major community event for Josephine County as summer transitions into autumn. The race meet has become a recurring attraction at the fairgrounds, drawing local residents alongside visitors traveling to Grants Pass for weekend entertainment and regional competition.
Grants Pass Downs continues to serve as an important part of Oregon’s horse racing calendar, with organizers working to preserve and expand live racing opportunities in Southern Oregon. The Don Jackson Racing Facility remains the state’s primary venue for commercial horse racing and continues to host seasonal race meets each year.
Residents planning to attend are encouraged to review the complete racing calendar before arriving, as race times vary by date throughout the five-week meet. Parking and admission information, along with additional event details, are expected to be available ahead of opening day.
With ten days of scheduled live racing beginning in mid-September, the 2026 Fall Race Meet is set to bring another season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse competition to Grants Pass, continuing a local tradition that has become a familiar fixture on the Josephine County community events calendar.