Wagering on US Thoroughbred racing declined again in July, even as purses available to horse owners increased from the same month a year earlier. Data released by Equibase showed $908.83 million was wagered during the month, a 4.48% decrease from July 2025.
Available purses reached $108.38 million, representing growth of 3.59%. Paid purses also increased by 3.60%, continuing a pattern in which wagering has weakened while funding available for racing has moved higher.
July Racing Produces Fewer Wagers
The July figures show that the number of race days rose despite lower betting activity. Tracks held 375 race days, compared with 370 in July 2025, an increase of 1.35%. The number of races, however, fell from 2,903 to 2,861, a decline of 1.45%.
The reduction in races accompanied a 2.33% fall in starts and pushed average field size lower. Each race featured an average of 6.92 runners, compared with 6.98 a year earlier, representing a 0.90% decline.
Average wagering per race day also fell. July produced an average handle of $2.424 million per race day, down 5.75% from $2.572 million in the corresponding month of 2025. At the same time, average available purses per race day increased 2.21%, reaching $289,022 from $282,766.
Equibase’s figures include worldwide commingled wagering on US races.
Purse Growth Contrasts With Wagering Decline
The increase in purse money stood out against the broader decline in betting. July’s available purses totaled $108,383,234, approximately $3.5 million more than during July 2025.
The second set of figures also points to the growing role of alternative gaming revenue in supporting purses. Tracks in Kentucky, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Wyoming use revenue from casino gaming, slots and historical horse racing to help fund purses.
California, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona and Washington were identified as racing states without such gaming revenue.
July marked the sixth month in 2026 when pari-mutuel wagering declined, with April the only exception, according to the monthly economic indicators report.
Year-To-Date Handle Remains Below 2025
The decline becomes more pronounced when measured through the first seven months of the year. Wagering on US races reached $6,433,392,121 through July, down 4.51% from $6,737,443,108 during the same period in 2025. The difference amounts to more than $304 million in wagers.
Race days were also down 1.54% year to date, while the number of races fell 2.04%. Average field size decreased from 7.45 runners at this point last year to 7.20 this year. Average wagering per race day declined 3.02%.
Purses have followed a different trajectory. Year-to-date purse money increased by more than $11 million, representing growth of 1.59%.
The July results therefore extend a year-to-date pattern in US racing: wagering continues to trail 2025 levels while purse funding remains higher. The combination leaves the industry with increased purse availability alongside weaker betting performance.
Source:
“July Year-Over Wagering On US Races Decreases As Available Purses Climb”, thoroughbreddailynews.com, August 4, 2026
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