Ruidoso Downs 2026 Racing Season to Be Held at Albuquerque Downs
Is Ruidoso Downs open for racing in 2026?
Live horse racing traditionally held at Ruidoso Downs will take place at The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque for the 2026 season, with races scheduled Fridays through Sundays from May 22 through September 7, 2026. While the race meet will be hosted in Albuquerque this year, Ruidoso Downs remains home to important equine events, the Billy the Kid Casino, and the historic horse sales pavilion.
For generations, Ruidoso Downs Racetrack has been at the heart of summer in Ruidoso, drawing horse owners, trainers, racing fans, and visitors from across the country for one of the most prestigious Quarter Horse racing seasons in North America.
For the 2026 season, however, live racing associated with Ruidoso Downs will take place at The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque, approximately three hours from Ruidoso. Many of the traditions and signature races associated with the Ruidoso Downs season will continue as scheduled at the Albuquerque venue.
Ruidoso Downs 2026 Racing Schedule Overview
The 2026 Ruidoso Downs race meet will begin Friday, May 22, 2026, and continue Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026, at The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque.
The 49-day mixed meet will feature both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing, including several of the signature races long associated with the Ruidoso Downs summer season.
Key races include:
• Ruidoso Futurity – June 7
• Rainbow Futurity – July 12
• All American Futurity – September 7
The All American Futurity, with an estimated $3 million purse, remains the richest race in Quarter Horse racing and the signature event of the season.
Visitors planning to attend live racing in 2026 should note that all race-day events will take place in Albuquerque this year.
For the latest entries, race details, and full stakes schedule, visit the official racing websites:
Events Still Taking Place in Ruidoso
Although the race meet itself will be hosted in Albuquerque, several important equine events connected to the racing season will still take place in Ruidoso.
At the Ruidoso Downs Horse Sales Pavilion, the annual horse sales will continue as scheduled:
• New Mexico-bred Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Yearling Sale — August 15, 2026
• All American Select Sale — September 4–5, 2026
These sales bring horse owners, breeders, and industry professionals to Ruidoso each summer and remain an important part of the region’s long-standing racing tradition.
Billy the Kid Casino Remains Open
The Billy the Kid Casino at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack remains open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., offering gaming, simulcast wagering, dining at the Cantina, and entertainment throughout the summer season.
A Continuing Racing Tradition
Horse racing has been part of Ruidoso’s story for decades, helping shape the community’s summer traditions and bringing together fans from across the Southwest and beyond.
While the 2026 racing season will take place in Albuquerque, the connection between the sport and the Ruidoso community remains strong. Visitors interested in the region’s deep ties to Quarter Horse racing will still find that Ruidoso Downs continues to play an important role in the racing world, even during this temporary shift in location.