Ruidoso Downs Race Track in New Mexico has reached an agreement with state racing officials and Downs of Albuquerque owner Paul Blanchard to relocate the rest of the 2024 racing season to Albuquerque.
“We appreciate Chairman Billy Smith and Mr. Blanchard for their cooperation,” General Manager Rick Baugh told Ruidoso News. “We are all coordinating to do what is best for New Mexico’s racing industry.”
Ruidoso Downs had to cancel five races on Saturday, and the entire race card on Sunday, due to flash flooding that severely damaged the track and two nearby bridges. The race track and casino are currently closed until temporary bridges can be installed.
“The safety of our customers, employees, and animals is our top priority,” Baugh stated. “We will undertake necessary repairs during the offseason and look forward to welcoming visitors back in 2025.”
The horse racing industry contributes $828 million to New Mexico’s economic output while supporting 12,973 jobs at five tracks around the state.
Adding to the community’s challenges, federal investigators reported that the Salt Fire and over a dozen other fires near Ruidoso in a six-week period were human-caused. The investigation, which began in early May, intensified around June 18 when the Salt Fire burned 7,000 acres. Agencies including the FBI, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, and the U.S. Forest Service identified at least 16 human-caused fires in a 25 square-mile area from May 3 to June 18.
“Who would do this to their own people? How could you do this to your own people?” Thora Padilla, president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, told KOB4. Among the fires was the Salt Fire, which started about two hours after the South Fork Fire. The South Fork Fire, caused by lightning, resulted in two deaths and the destruction of over 1,400 structures in Ruidoso.
Horse racing in Ruidoso has a long and vibrant history. As early as the 1840s, ranchers held rodeos and horse races to entertain hands and locals alike, contributing significantly to what is known today as “The Old West.”
Today, Ruidoso Downs Racetrack serves as a place where people from around the nation come to compete. Starting in the 1930s in Mr. Miller’s cornfields, racing in Ruidoso Downs has a long tradition of firsts and record-breaking events. It is the only horse track in the United States and Europe with separate quarter horse straightaway and oval thoroughbred tracks, offering spectators a unique venue.
Located in the cool pines of Lincoln County, the track provides world-class racing in a down-home environment, with races held Fridays through Sundays during the live racing season. Ruidoso Downs is also home to The All American Futurity and The World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race.
Final arrangements to continue the race meet in Albuquerque, including the schedule for the first races, are being completed.
“There are many details to work out,” Baugh said. “We plan to reschedule the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Oaks along with the New Mexico-bred races missed this weekend, and the triple crown trial races will proceed as planned.”
Baugh also noted that the New Mexico-bred Horse Sale scheduled for August 9 and 10, along with the All American Futurity, Derby, and Oaks trials, and the Ruidoso Downs Select Sale and All American Futurity, Derby, Oaks, and Gold Cup events planned for Labor Day weekend, will also move to Albuquerque. These horse sales are expected to be held at Tingley Coliseum.
Baugh acknowledged the significant economic impact that relocating the remainder of the racing season will have on the Ruidoso community. However, due to the current condition of the track, bridges, and barn area, the decision was necessary. Despite the setback, there is determination to rebuild Ruidoso Downs into a beautiful facility and resume racing in 2025.
