Ruidoso Downs will not conduct any live racing in 2026 after an engineering review determined the New Mexico racetrack faces “serious and ongoing flooding risks that cannot be adequately addressed.”
The facility has remained closed since July 2025, when catastrophic flash floods—triggered by torrential rainfall that caused the Rio Ruidoso to surge more than 20 feet in under an hour—submerged the track, barns, infield, and backstretch. Water rose so high it reached the ceilings of the jockeys’ room. Of the roughly 1,800 horses stabled on the grounds, nearly all were evacuated, though two died in the disaster.
The flooding forced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2025 meet, with racing shifted to The Downs at Albuquerque. The All American Futurity, the track’s signature quarter‑horse event since 1959, was also moved to Albuquerque for the second consecutive year and will remain there in 2026.
Engineers: Venue “Not Sustainable” Due to Escalating Flood Threat
During a January 15 meeting with state officials, engineers presented findings showing that even moderate rainfall—around two inches per hour—could overwhelm both existing and proposed drainage systems. The report concluded the racetrack is “not sustainable as a public venue.”
Ruidoso’s vulnerability has worsened in recent years as wildfires stripped surrounding mountainsides of vegetation that normally absorbs rainfall and stabilizes soil. The 2025 floods struck just after the track had completed repairs from an estimated $30 million in damage caused by similar flooding the previous summer.
In a statement, track officials said the decision to halt racing was driven by safety concerns for both people and horses. “Continuing operations at the current site of Ruidoso Downs Racetrack is not feasible,” the statement read. “This is, without question, the most challenging and emotional choice we have ever made as an organization.”
Casino and Sales Operations Continue
While racing is suspended, the adjacent Billy the Kid Casino and the sales pavilion will remain open. Officials said they are evaluating long‑term options for the racetrack property.
Industry Impact Expected to Be Significant
The cancellation of the 2026 meet is expected to ripple through the region’s horse‑racing economy. Trainers, owners, grooms, and support staff who typically base their operations in Ruidoso during the summer will face higher travel and operating costs. Local farms, stables, veterinarians, farriers, hotels, and restaurants are also bracing for the loss of a major seasonal economic driver.
The continued displacement of the All American Futurity and uncertainty surrounding the track’s future have raised broader concerns about Ruidoso’s long‑term role in the quarter‑horse racing industry.
