History
Hialeah Park is Eternal - An Extraordinary Miami Location
Her beauty has no imperfection; her history like no other. She is celebrated by artists and architects, championed by poets and admired by celebrities and heads of state. This is the Park about which the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Churchill uttered one word, “Extraordinary!”
A Legacy of Beauty
Hialeah Park is eternal, magnificent and historic. It is the world's most beautiful horse race course also holding the distinction of being an Audubon Bird Sanctuary and being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Where does one begin when talking about Hialeah Park? Perhaps with the walking ring fashioned after Longchamp in Paris? The balustrades fashioned after the casinos in Monte Carlo? The statue of Citation executed in Florence, Italy, or the hundreds of flamingos in the infield?
Perhaps the horses – Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Citation, Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, Forego, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, John Henry... or the owners, trainers and jockeys, who are recognized simply by their last names: Vanderbilt, Whitney, Phipps, Woodward, Du Pont, Fitzsimmons, Jones, Luro, Stephens, Lukas, Pletcher, Arcaro, Hartack, Shoemaker, Cordero, Velasquez... or maybe it's with those who walked through Hialeah's turnstiles for over 90 years: Churchill, Truman, Johnson, Kennedy, Onassis, Widener, DiMaggio...
The Beginning
Hialeah is an institution, an encyclopedia not only encompassing thoroughbred horse racing but history in general. And it all started in 1920 when Missouri cattleman James Bright and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtis began to develop Hialeah by donating land for community use while helping to acquire funds for construction of public buildings, facilities, and, yes – a horse racetrack.
On Jan. 15 of 1925, Hialeah Park opened for thoroughbred horse racing. Not only did Hialeah include a one-mile dirt track, clubhouse, administration building and 21 stables, but nearby was a jai alai fronton (the first in the U.S.), a dance hall, a roller coaster, and oh, a snake catcher! Because Hialeah was on the edge of the Everglades, it wasn't unheard of to catch a couple dozen snakes a day near the infield lake.
The Widener Era
The track suffered damages in the Great Hurricane of 1926, but it didn't stop Joseph Widener from purchasing the track in 1930. Widener, the heir to a streetcar fortune and whose family had been involved in horse racing since 1890, and partner Col. Edward R. Bradley would invest millions in renovating the track.
Widener took architect Lester Geisler on a tour of tracks in Europe and North America to glean ideas on how to redesign Hialeah Park, and those ideas can still be seen today. The tree-lined paths and sweeping staircases were designed after Ascot and Deauville. The lines of the administration building were taken from a chateau in France. The walking ring from Longchamp, the tunnel leading to the track from Epsom Downs and the terraces and balustrades from a casino the two visited in Monte Carlo.
On Jan. 14 of 1932, the new Hialeah opened to rave reviews. It wasn't long after that Hialeah Park opened the first turf course in the U.S., and installed the first totalisator system. In 1934, Widener imported 20 flamingos from Cuba to reside in the infield lake. He'd import another 100 in 1947.
Discover Our Heritage
The Golden Era
Hialeah Park was the world's most beautiful race course and it was becoming the place for the rich-and-famous to winter. Not only did the greatest horses come to Hialeah, but the greatest personalities. Truman, Churchill, Kennedy and Nixon wheeled through the turnstiles and remarked on Hialeah's incredible beauty. Joining them was Sinatra, Crosby, Jolson, Durante, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace of Monaco, Glenn Ford, Elizabeth Taylor, George Raft, Angie Dickinson, John Philip Sousa and Will Rogers. Amelia Earhart said her farewell to the continental U.S., from Hialeah before her ill-fated flight around the world in 1937.
Only The Best At Hialeah Park
The horse track exchanged hands again in 1974 when sportsman John Galbreath purchased the track. With the population of South Florida shifting north and with other pari-mutuels trying to wrest the mid-winter racing dates away from Hialeah, breeder and developer John J. Brunetti jumped up in 1977 to preserve the track and its history. “This place is magnificent,” said Brunetti at the time, “I was overcome with it”.
Phase I: Hialeah Park Casino
John J. Brunetti's vision for Hialeah's rebirth came with the opening of the state of the art casino on August 14, 2013 which provided the impetus for the revitalization of the entire property. Located in what was the north grandstand, the casino features over 800 Las Vegas style slot machines, electronic roulette and blackjack. Restaurant, cocktail lounge and gift shop complete the first-floor development. On the second floor is South Florida's most popular poker room.
Important Dates In Hialeah Park History
Missouri cattleman James Bright and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtis donate land for community use and help acquire building funds for construction of public buildings, facilities and racetrack.
First pari-mutuel greyhound track in America opened at Hialeah by Miami Kennel Club.
On Jan. 15, Hialeah Park opens as the Miami Jockey Club.
Great Hurricane of 1926 damages Hialeah.
Transportation & real estate magnate Joseph Widener purchases Hialeah. Widener takes architect Lester Geisler on a tour of tracks throughout Europe and the United States to better redesign Hialeah.
The 'new' Hialeah opens on Jan. 14.
First flamingos imported from Cuba.
Seabiscuit makes his racing debut.
Prime Minister of United Kingdom Sir Winston Churchill visits Hialeah Park.
Citation wins Flamingo Stakes en route to the Triple Crown, and U.S. Horse of the Year honors.
Vineland, New Jersey business entrepreneur Eugene Mori purchases Hialeah Park.
Trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons wins Flamingo Stakes with Bold Ruler. Flamingo Fountain is built.
Northern Dancer wins Flamingo Stakes en route to Kentucky Derby & Preakness tallies.
A statue of Citation, executed in Florence, Italy, is unveiled.
In the Academy Award winning film, The Godfather II, Director Frances Ford Coppola chose Hialeah Park to signify Michael Corleone's arrival to Miami.
Real estate magnate John J. Brunetti purchases Hialeah Park. Seattle Slew wins the Flamingo Stakes and later the Triple Crown.
On March 5th Hialeah was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Hialeah ceases thoroughbred racing.
A new era begins on Nov. 28 when Hialeah Park introduces quarter horse racing.
Grand Opening of Hialeah Park Casino, Wednesday, August 14, 2013.