Equibase

Wagering in the U.S. Down 5%, Average Field Size Up for April

Wagering on U.S. races dipped 5.16% to $878,811,558 (worldwide commingled figures) during the month of April in 2025 versus figures registered one year ago, according to an Equibase release of Thoroughbred Racing Economic indicators Monday. Conversely, average field size rose 2.29% from 7.54 in 2024 to 7.71 last month. Also up, average wagering per race day increased 1.24% to $3,487,347, while average available purses per day ticked up by 3.14% to $364,014. In year-to-date figures (2025 vs. 2024), wagering in the U.S. fell 3.77% to $3,384,083,316 (worldwide commingled wagering on...

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March Economic Indicators: Wagering Down Over Fewer Race Days

The number of race days was lower and so was wagering compared to a year ago in March, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $931,202,013 on races during the month represented a 4.20% decrease over the same period from 2024, while available purses of almost $98 million were lower by 4.23%. The figure of over $93 million for paid purses in March was also down by 4.84%. As for the total number of race days, they decreased from 285 to 263 (-7.72%) and the number...

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U.S. Economic Indicators for January Up Across the Board

Wagering in the U.S. rose $2.93% last month versus its counterpart one year ago, according to Equibase Wednesday. Commingled wagering on U.S. races increased to $802,903,279 from $780,034,372. Domestic (paid) purses also increased 7.96%, rising from $73,621,717 in 2024 to $79,482,656 this year. U.S. race days were up 7.37% to 233, while U.S. races rose to 1,995 from 1,853 (7.66%). Average field size increased from 7.86 to 8.14, while average available purses inched up to $360,437 from $359,189 last year.

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Officers Elected During Virtual Jockeys' Guild Assembly

John Velazquez and Mike Smith were elected co-chairmen of The Jockeys' Guild when the organization hosted its annual assembly virtually Jan. 14. Javier Castellano, Julien Leparoux and James Flores were elected co-vice chairmen, Tyler Gaffalione as secretary and Julien Leparoux as treasurer. In addition, Joe Bravo, Drayden Van Dyke, James Graham and Rodney Prescott will serve on the Board of Directors. Senate members for the guild in 2025-2026 are: Eastern region: Joe Bravo, Kendrick Carmouche, Javier Castellano, Frankie Dettori, Reylu Gutierrez, Flavien Prat, Sheldon Russell, Drayden Van Dyke and John...

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Handle Drops, Purses Up Slightly In 2024

In what is becoming a familiar trend for the sport of horse racing in North America, betting in 2024 declined by 3.35%. According to figures released Friday by Equibase, $11,265,210,514 was the all-sources yearly handle for 2024 for U.S. racing, down from 2023's total of $11,655,726,020. Handle was last up in 2021, but that was an outlier because those numbers were going up against 2020 figures when the pandemic shut down much of the sport. Prior to that, the last handle increase was in 2018. The more alarming trend is...

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Equibase And Stable Analytics Partner To Transform Thoroughbred Wearable Technology

Equibase, the industry's official database for racing, and Stable Analytics LLC, a technology company developing solutions for horse racing, have formed a strategic partnership aimed at advancing Thoroughbred welfare through cutting-edge wearable technology, the repository for racing stats said in a Thursday press release. The collaboration will focus on the continued development and large-scale implementation of Stable Analytics's biometric sensor, Equigraph, which features a wireless biometric sensor mounted on the girth of the horse. As part of this initiative, Equibase and Stable Analytics will participate in the American Association of...

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November Economic Indicators, Wagering And Purses Rise

Wagering on U.S. races was higher, and both available and paid purses saw increases when compared to a year ago in November, while the number of race days and races themselves saw an uptick during the month, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $921,122,693 on races during the month represented a 1.18% increase over the same period from 2023, while available purses of almost $128 million were up by 3.93%. The figure of over $121 million for paid purses in November was up 3.94%. As...

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September Economic Indicators, Wagering Lower Even Though Purses Rose

Wagering on U.S. races was lower, but available and paid purses both saw increases when compared to a year ago in September, while the number of race days and races themselves saw an uptick during the month, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $783,857,564 on races during the month represented a 10.96% decrease over the same period from 2023, while available purses of over $138 million were up by 2.90%. The figure of over $131 million for paid purses in September was up 2.26%. As...

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Equibase Adds Enhanced Option To Premium Past Performances

Equibase has enhanced its premium past performance product to include conditional formatting, the online source for horse racing data said in a release on Thursday. In addition to traditional past performances, the new version includes key points such as the highest speed figure in the race, the highest win percentage in the race for the trainer and jockey, and the highest lifetime earnings. "Traditional past performances can be overwhelming, especially for new handicappers," said Chris Dawahare, vice president of data operations and digital services for Equibase. "The new enhanced option...

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August Economic Indicators, Wagering And Purses On The Rise

Wagering on U.S. races, plus available and paid purses, all saw increases to varying degrees when compared to a year ago in August, while the number of race days and races themselves saw a slight uptick during the month, according to information released by Equibase on Thursday. Total wagering of over $1.1 billion on races during the month represented a 5.53% increase over the same period from 2023, while available purses of over $142.7 million were up by 7.38%. The figure of over $136.6 million for paid purses in August...

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Gatewood Bell Appointed to Equibase Management Committee

Gatewood Bell has been appointed to serve on the management committee of Equibase Company LLC, announced company chairman Ian D. Highet. The vice president of racing for Keeneland and a third-generation horseman, Bell also served as president of Cromwell Bloodstock for a decade before joining Keeneland as well as previously serving on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He has been a member of The Jockey Club since 2020 and serves as a member of the Breeders' Cup. Bell fills the vacating board seat of James Gagliano, president and chief operating...

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May Economic Indicators; Wagering And Purses Continue To Rise

Wagering on U.S. races, plus available and paid purses, all saw increases to varying degrees when compared to a year ago in May, while the number of races declined during the month, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of over $1.4 million on races during the month represented a 0.57% increase over the same period from 2023, while available purses of $124.6 million were up by 2.86%. The figure of over $119.9 million for paid purses in May was up 2.44%. However, the total number of...

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