The Elloree Trials is a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing event that has taken place annually at Elloree Training Center in Elloree, South Carolina. The track was built in the early 1940’s on a geological depression called a Savannah or Carolina Bay and was originally known as The Old Palmetto Race Track. Races would be held for 10 years, until a ban on para-mutual betting, in South Carolina, closed the track in the early 1950’s.  In 1963 the local Chapter of Jaycees teamed with former track owners, George and Phil Utman, to host the very first running of the Elloree Trials.  This popular spring event was held annually until the COVID pandemic in 2020 kept the races from taking place in March of 2020 and 2021. 

 

The event returned for one year in March 2022. Hard-working Administrators, Margaret Anne Baker Garrett, and Debbie Jobe, worked tirelessly, along with the Smith Family, each year to produce the Trials.  Shortly after Debbie retired in late 2022, the beloved “Miss Anne” passed away. 

 

In the Fall of 2022, as the year was coming to an end, many in Elloree and surrounding communities were already looking forward to March 2023 and the annual running of the Elloree Trials.  Commonly referred to as "The Trials" this fun family event has been taking place at the Elloree Training Center since March 1963.  Unfortunately, in November 2022, The Elloree Trials Committee and Palmetto Jockey Club made an announcement that due to unforeseen circumstances the Elloree Trials would no longer be held. 

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Fast forward to the evening of Thursday, February 23, 2023 when a large group of locals and long-time Elloree Trials attendees came together with the same goal of preserving this long running, annual tradition. Since that first meeting, the new 'Elloree Palmetto Jockey Club' was established, board members appointed and subcommittees formed.  All committees and volunteers have been tasked with specific assignments in order to achieve the same goal......get the Elloree Trials “back on track” for 2024! 

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Several local civic groups are, once again, volunteering along with the Elloree Training Center and the Elloree Palmetto Jockey Club to make this event a success.  These clubs include The Lions Club, The Elloree Garden Club, Evergreen Garden Club, The Mentor Book Club, Knights of Pythias, Charity Lodge #62 AFM and the Elloree Athletic Club.

 

The Smith family at the Elloree Training Center will continue to work behind the scenes and on race day with the horses to make this event a success again!  The event is known to attract thousands of people, and some years up to 5,000 people have been in attendance.