Rockingham Park

Rockingham Park opened for a 21-day Thoroughbred meet in the tiny outpost of Salem Depot, N.H. to rave reviews from the public, the press, and the racing industry. Over 10,000 people, who came by train from Boston, Rhode Island, and New York, packed the state-of-the-art clubhouse, which cost over $1 million to construct. Rockingham Park was proclaimed the finest racecourse in the world. Alyth, a two-year-old, won the first Thoroughbred race. Since gambling was illegal in New Hampshire, betting was shut down after only three days. The meet continued, with the wagering gone underground, but the end of the meet marked the end of Thoroughbred racing and the track sat idle.