[Updated June 2025]
Saratoga Race Course: It’s John Morrissey’s world, we’re just living in it!

At the end of the Civil War, “Old Smoke” John Morrissey observed that the racing stock of the South was nearly extinct, having been killed in the cavalry. With this, he saw an opportunity.

In an 1874 interview, Morrissey recalled his plan: “Them people will return to Saratoga as in former years, and bring their horses, when they can revive and reimport them. I will anticipate the time and buy a track.” In 1863, Morrissey had successfully organized Saratoga’s first Thoroughbred racing meet at the town’s old trotting track.

To honor the memory of this founding father of Thoroughbred racing in Saratoga, Turf History Times launched a line of “Saratoga Horse Racing History: The John Morrissey Years (1863-1877)” postcards in 2023. Last year, two new limited edition cards were released to celebrate the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 8, 2024. These cards feature Harry Bassett, one of the earliest winners of the Belmont Stakes in 1871 at Jerome Park and a hero of the Saratoga track, while the legendary “Old Smoke” also makes an appearance in the cards’ historic stories. 

NEW for 2025 is a 3″ x 3″ fridge magnet [see top photo] that features an illustration from a New York Dispatch ad for the first race meet in 1863.

These items, including the first series of postcards and sticker from 2023, are available two ways: online in our TURFHISTORYTIMESShop on Etsy, and in Downtown Saratoga Springs at The Dark Horse Mercantile retail store at 445 Broadway.

For more information about the first series of cards, read more about them here.