US Horse Racing Handle Slips 2.54% in First Half as Purses Climb
2026-08-07
US horse racing handle fell 2.54% to $3.2bn in the first half of 2026, while available purses rose 3.51%. June wagering dropped 4.70%, extending the sport's multi-year betting decline.
US horse racing wagering fell 2.54% in the first half of 2026, with Equibase figures released Monday showing total handle of $3,197,641,353 for the first two quarters, down from $3,280,921,802 in the same period of 2025. The data marks the latest step in a four-year decline in betting volumes.
Purses up, race days down
Available purses, meanwhile, climbed 3.51% to $340,661,621 from $329,119,590, giving racing the unusual combination of more prize-money and weaker customer demand. The drop in handle came alongside a smaller racing programme: race days declined from 997 to 978, and total races fell from 8,004 to 7,897. Average handle per race day slipped 2.41% to $3,298,243. Several circuits trimmed schedules or faced weather-related disruptions during the spring, contributing to the reduced fixture count.
June sharpens the picture
June numbers underscored the trend, with wagering down 4.70% year-on-year to $911,860,943. Available purses for the month were up 2.74% at $117,737,891, while race days fell from 380 to 374 and total races from 2,964 to 2,948.
With purse values still growing, field size, fixture volume and betting engagement are set to shape the summer season as Saratoga and Del Mar reach their peak meetings. The latest figures suggest purse support is holding up far better than wagering activity, and that a trimmed calendar alone has not reversed the broader decline in betting demand.