Exploring the Oregon State Fair: Horse Racing

Photo Finishes and Female Pioneers

Photography was first used to determine winning racehorses in 1937. On opening day of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, owner, Bing Crosby, brought in Paramount Pictures motion picture engineer’s (Lorenzo Del Riccio) invention of the circular flow camera to photograph the finish. Del Riccio’s invention was improved upon in 1948 by Bertram Pearl, and became more widely used as a way of determining winners of races. A race at the 1952 State Fair provides a textbook example of a photo finish (below left).

Jockeying has historically been a sport for men and for most of the history of horse racing at the State Fair, it was exclusively a male domain. But by the 1970s, several young women had joined the fray to become lead jockeys. Cindy Kirby (below right) was one of these women. She was featured in a Sports Illustrated magazine article in November, 1973 listing her numerous wins and earning the coveted title of lead jockey.

The horse at the top "wins by a nose" (across the white vertical line) in a photo finish race during the 1952 State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, Oregon Fair Exposition Center)

Female jockey Cindy Kirby racing and winning an award at the State Fair

Horse jockey Cindy Kirby wins accolades while racing at the 1975 State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, Oregon Fair Exposition Center)

Horses parade on the race track in front of the Grandstand at this circa 1920s State Fair. (Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center)

A horse and jockey race past the Grandstand during the 1976 State Fair. (Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center)

An aerial view of the race track and State Fair

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The horse racing track and Grandstand stand out in this circa 1950s aerial shot of the State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, Oregon Fair Exposition Center)

Performers entertain the crowd at the Grandstand

The race track and Grandstand were used for more than just horse racing. Here, the Formal Guard Mount, complete with bagpipers, perform on the track in front of the Grandstand circa 1950. (Oregon State Archives, Oregon Fair Exposition Center)

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