South Carolina’s isn’t horsing around when it comes to its horse history. When you think of horse racing in the Midlands you probably think of Camden. Hold yer horses — Columbia was also home to a popular racetrack that dates back to the early 1800s.
From the first days of statehood, horse racing was happening across South Carolina, and was widely known as “The Sport of Kings.” Horses were brought to the Palmetto State and wealthy colonists had horses for general use.
The first records of racing trace back to Charleston in February of 1734, and in the same year, the first jockey club was formed.
It didn’t take long for the trend to trot to Columbia + create a space that attracted folks to come watch the races. Columbia Jockey Club was organized by Col. Wade Hampton II and Col. Richard Singleton in 1828.
The local club was in charge of events at the Congaree Race Course. This course held race events that attracted thoroughbreds from nearby horse farms and had a full set of rules for the racing + betting.
The entrance fee for the first day of the purse cost $20, which was not a small amount in the 1800s. Today, that fee would be approx. $433. The fee dropped by $5 for each day following for the next 4 race days.
The Civil War brought the end of horse racing in South Carolina, as they knew it. Most properties sold, stables were disbanded and the once popular jockey clubs dissolved as well — however, some relics can still be seen in the Charleston Library.
Today, a historical marker on Devine Street, near Sims Avenue, commemorates the location of Congaree Race Course. The property was located at what is now Epworth Children’s Home. Soda Citizens can still get plenty of horse racing from our neigh-bors in Camden + Aiken.
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