Ruidoso Downs Horse Racing: Experience the Thrill of the Track

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack hosts both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, notably the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse racing.

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack hosts summer Quarter Horse racing, notably the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse racing.

Fast-Paced Quarter Horse Racing & Year-Round Excitement

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino is home to the legendary All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse racing. Feel the adrenaline as the world’s fastest quarter horses thunder down the track every weekend during the summer racing season.

Looking for excitement beyond live racing? Visit The Racebook, open year-round, where you can enjoy simulcast races from top tracks across the U.S. in a fun and comfortable atmosphere with great food and drinks.

Live Racing Season: Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day

Full 2025 Stakes Schedule: https://www.raceruidoso.com/info/all-american-ruidoso-downs-2025-stakes-schedule

Website: RaceRuidoso.com

Race Days: Racing Season: There will be 46 days of racing beginning Friday, May 23, 2025, and running through Monday, September 1. Racing will be held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Racing will be held on two Mondays, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Offseason: The Racebook is open daily.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Featured
Rainbow QH Derby Finals G1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 12
Rainbow QH Derby Finals G1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the Rainbow QH Derby Finals G1 on Saturday, July 12, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This Grade 1 derby features three-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 440 yards for an estimated $750,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Witness top-tier Quarter Horse racing in this high-stakes event!

Rainbow QH Oaks Finals G1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 12
Rainbow QH Oaks Finals G1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the Rainbow QH Oaks Finals G1 on Saturday, July 12, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This Grade 1 race showcases three-year-old fillies sprinting 440 yards for an estimated $350,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Witness the best young fillies compete in one of the season’s premier Quarter Horse races!

Rainbow QH Invitational Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 12
Rainbow QH Invitational Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the Rainbow QH Invitational Stakes on Saturday, July 12, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This high-stakes race features three-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 440 yards for a guaranteed $100,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Witness rising Quarter Horse stars compete in this thrilling invitational race!

RAINBOW WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 12
RAINBOW WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Experience Rainbow Weekend on July 12-13 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, featuring over $2.3 million in purse money. The Rainbow QH Derby, Oaks, and Invitational Stakes showcase top three-year-olds on Saturday, while Sunday’s Futurity and Juvenile Stakes highlight elite two-year-olds. Don’t miss this high-stakes racing event, part of the 46-day summer season!

Rainbow QH Futurity Finals G1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 13
Rainbow QH Futurity Finals G1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the Rainbow QH Futurity Finals G1 on Sunday, July 13, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This Grade 1 race features two-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 400 yards for an estimated $1,000,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Witness elite young Quarter Horses compete for a million-dollar prize!

Rainbow QH Juvenile Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 13
Rainbow QH Juvenile Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the Rainbow QH Juvenile Stakes on Sunday, July 13, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This thrilling race features two-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 400 yards for a guaranteed $100,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Witness emerging Quarter Horse talent in this exciting juvenile competition!

ZIA WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 19
ZIA WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Experience the Zia Festival Weekend on July 19-20 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, showcasing New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses with over $700,000 in purse money. Featured races include the Zia QH Derby, Futurity, Stakes, 870 Championship, and Juvenile Finals, with distances from 400 to 870 yards. Don’t miss this high-stakes racing event, part of the 46-day summer season!

AQHA CHALLENGE TRIALS WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 25
AQHA CHALLENGE TRIALS WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the AQHA Challenge Trials Weekend on July 25-26 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! Featuring the John Deere Juvenile, Adequan Derby, and Distaff Challenge Trials, these races showcase top two-year-olds, three-year-olds, and fillies & mares sprinting 350-400 yards for $4,000 purses. Part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), this event is a must-see for Quarter Horse fans!

Margarita Fest featuring Casey Donahew LIVE at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 26
Margarita Fest featuring Casey Donahew LIVE at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Celebrate Margarita Fest with Casey Donahew live in concert at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! Enjoy handcrafted margaritas, great food, and high-energy Texas Country in a festival atmosphere. Doors open at 6:00 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM. Don’t miss this one-night-only event! Get your tickets now »

All American Futurity QH Trials at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Aug 8
All American Futurity QH Trials at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

The All American Futurity QH Trials take place on August 8-9 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, where two-year-old Quarter Horses compete over 440 yards for a $10,000 purse in each trial. This two-day event determines qualifiers for the prestigious All American Futurity Finals. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), it’s a must-see for Quarter Horse racing fans!

All American Derby QH Trials at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Aug 10
All American Derby QH Trials at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the All American Derby QH Trials on Sunday, August 10, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! Three-year-old Quarter Horses will race 440 yards for a $10,000 purse in each trial, competing for a spot in the prestigious All American Derby Finals. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday racing and special holiday events. Witness elite Quarter Horse competition in Ruidoso!

All American Oaks F&M QH Trials at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Aug 10
All American Oaks F&M QH Trials at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the All American Oaks F&M QH Trials on Sunday, August 10, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! Three-year-old fillies will compete over 440 yards for a $10,000 purse in each trial, racing for a spot in the All American Oaks Finals. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday racing and special holiday events. Witness elite female Quarter Horse racing in Ruidoso!

Bill Reed Memorial Stakes 870 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Aug 10
Bill Reed Memorial Stakes 870 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss the Bill Reed Memorial Stakes 870 on Saturday, August 30, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! Three-year-old and up Quarter Horses will race 870 yards for a guaranteed $50,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday racing and special holiday events. Witness top-tier distance racing in one of the season’s most anticipated events!

AQHA CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Aug 16
AQHA CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Don’t miss AQHA Challenge Championship Weekend on August 16-17 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! Featuring the Adequan Derby ($50,000), John Deere Challenge G3 ($75,000), and Distaff Challenge G3 ($30,000), this event highlights elite Quarter Horse racing. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday racing and special holiday events. Witness top-tier competition in Ruidoso!

The Delk Band LIVE at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Aug 16
The Delk Band LIVE at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Join The Delk Band for a night of timeless dance music at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on August 16, 2025! As one of the longest-running dance bands in New Mexico and Arizona, they bring lively two-steps and soulful waltzes to the stage, creating unforgettable experiences for all ages. Doors open at 6:00 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM—don’t miss this evening of great music and dancing! Get your tickets now »

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