Sam Houston opened on April 24, 1994, and was the first Class 1 Horse Racing venue constructed in Texas.

The facility made it through the disaster with little damage and flooding, so they offered refuge to over 200 displaced horses in the Houston area.

[4] In 2023, wagering declined 91 percent after they were no longer to export their signal to any other states due to an ongoing fight between HISA and the Texas Racing Commission.

The races run the gambit of maiden special weights and claiming to graded stakes and handicaps.

Each year the park hosts the ZiegenBock Music Festival, a smaller version of the Lone Star State Jam held in Austin, TX.

The strong history of concerts at Sam Houston Race Park includes names such as Gary Allan, the Grammy nominated Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers Band, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and international acts such as Hadiqa Kiani along with many more.

[13] The annual Camel & Ostrich Races have become a fan favorite, normally held on a Friday and Saturday evening in early March during the Thoroughbred Meet.