The disappointing news came late on April 9, the same day the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held a key meeting. While Olympic officials gave no definitive answer about Galway’s status at the time, the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee later informed Galway Downs, the City of Temecula, and Riverside County that another location had been chosen.

“We are extremely surprised that we were suddenly removed from consideration,” said Galway Downs owner Ken Smith in a joint statement released Friday. “Based on the City Council’s vote of approval on March 28, we don’t understand how this could happen. From the start, we knew the venue selection process would be competitive and subject to change, but being named a proposed host placed Galway Downs and the Temecula Valley on the world stage. That’s something we’re very proud of—and we’re not done yet.”

Smith emphasized that Galway Downs will continue to serve as a top-tier location for elite equestrian competitions and other sporting events, even without the Olympic spotlight.

Back in March, the Los Angeles City Council had unanimously approved Galway Downs as the Olympic equestrian venue. Many expected the IOC to officially ratify that decision at its April 9 meeting.

As of Friday, neither the IOC nor the City of Los Angeles has publicly confirmed which new venue has been chosen. The LA28 committee has not responded to requests for comment.

Galway Downs was first proposed as the equestrian venue in June 2024, when the LA28 Organizing Committee announced changes to several original 2017 venue plans in an effort to meet new sustainability goals. At the time, Galway was praised as “the only existing venue that can accommodate the requirements of Equestrian, while also reducing the cost and complexity of delivery.”

The proposal also revealed that multiple other options—such as Hansen Dam in Los Angeles—had been considered but ultimately ruled out.

Despite the City Council’s endorsement, doubts began to emerge ahead of the IOC meeting. Several local and state lawmakers sent a letter urging IOC President Thomas Bach and LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman to keep Galway Downs in the plan.

When asked directly at the IOC meeting whether Galway had been officially selected, Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi declined to give a straight answer.

“The executive board has validated the master plan in broad terms,” Dubi said. “As for the announcement, including each and every detail, this will be the responsibility of LA.”

He emphasized the committee’s guiding principles: using existing venues, avoiding new permanent infrastructure, and clustering events in LA to minimize logistical complexity. “Every time you have stand-alone venues, you increase the complexity,” he noted.

Still awaiting formal word from the LA28 committee, Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus voiced his disappointment on Friday.

“Galway Downs has proven itself to be a world-class equestrian venue,” Kalfus wrote in an email. “It’s disheartening to see this sudden shift, especially so soon after the City Council gave its approval. But we believe in Galway’s continued success as an Olympic-caliber destination in Temecula Valley.”

Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington took a more optimistic view, pointing to the attention the bid process had already brought to the region.

“This journey has put a global spotlight on something we’ve always known—that Temecula Valley Wine Country offers outstanding venues and hospitality,” Washington said. “We’re excited about the many prestigious events the future holds.”