TIJUANA RACECOURSE |
Records show that racing has taken place in Mexico since the Mexican Jockey Club was established in 1881. The Agua Caliente racecourse was situated in Tijuana. It began racing in December 1929 on a course designed by Wayne McAllister. The Agua Caliente Handicap, run over 10 furlongs, was the richest handicap in North America when it was inaugurated in 1917 at Tijuana Racetrack. Between 1917 and 1929 it was known as the Coffroth Handicap in honour of James Wood Coffroth, President of the Lower California Jockey Club. In 1930 the race was transferred to the newly built Agua Caliente racetrack in Tijuana; a list of winners is shown below. |
1917 The Coffroth Handicap was won by Sasin, owned by Clarence Buxton, trained by Clarence Buxton and ridden by Willie Kelsay |
I am grateful to Vinny Hinde for the rare 1927 Lady Members badge shown below:- |
In March 1938 the great Seabiscuit won the handicap watched by an enormous crowd, because at its height the racecourse could seat a crowd in excess of 11000. In 1971 tragedy struck the course when the grandstand was gutted by fire, but it was rapidly rebuilt. The track continued for a further 21 years before finally closing its gates in 1992. |
If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |