After decades of lying dormant, the iconic Cassada Gardens horse racing venue in Antigua is poised for a dramatic revival, after the Antigua Turf Club (ATC) officially unveiled comprehensive redevelopment plans that aim to bring professional thoroughbred racing back to the island by 2027.
Once the beating heart of equestrian sport and social gathering in Antigua, the Cassada Gardens track has fallen into disrepair in recent decades, leaving local racing enthusiasts and industry stakeholders without a permanent, regulated home for the sport. The ATC’s new master plan addresses every critical gap in the existing site, including a full resurfacing of the 1-mile main dirt track, construction of modern grandstand seating for thousands of spectators, upgraded equine stabling facilities, and new hospitality and commercial spaces designed to draw both local patrons and international tourists.
Project leaders from the ATC note that the redevelopment is not just about bringing back a beloved local pastime. The initiative is projected to create hundreds of local jobs in construction, hospitality, and equine care in the years leading up to launch, and it is expected to become a new economic anchor for Antigua’s thriving tourism sector, which counts unique recreational experiences as a key draw for international visitors.
“For generations, horse racing has been woven into the cultural fabric of Antigua, and this project puts us on a path to honor that legacy while building something that will serve our community for decades to come,” said a senior ATC spokesperson in a statement following the official unveiling. “We have worked closely with local government planning authorities to align this development with broader growth goals for the region, and we are on track to meet our 2027 target for the first official race.”
Planning and permitting processes are already underway, with pre-construction site assessments scheduled to begin within the next six months. The ATC is currently pursuing a mix of private investment and partnerships with local tourism development bodies to fund the estimated multi-million dollar project, with early expressions of interest from regional equestrian organizations and hospitality investors already received.