Wagering on U.S. races declined 5.93% in September, according to year-to-year comparison figures released Monday by Equibase. For the month of September, $737,296,717 was wagered on U.S. races–including worldwide commingled wagering on races in the country–down from $783,788,708 for the same month in 2024. With 36 fewer race days and 210 fewer races in September this year, average wagering per race day increased 3.63% to $2,082,759. Similarly, while total available purses for the month decreased 6.98% to $128,545,895, average available purses per race day increased 2.48% to $363,124.
In year-to-date comparisons, wagering dipped 2.11%, with $8,866,367,013 wagered through September in 2024 compared to $8,679,660,193 through the first nine months of 2025.
With 142 fewer race days–and 1,044 fewer races–through September this year, wagering per race day is up 2.79% to $3,059,450 from $2,976,290 in 2024.
Available year-to-date purses fell 2.42%, from $999,708,464 at this point a year ago to $975,527,036 this year, while average purses increased 2.47% to $343,859.
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