US EditionRuidoso Downs Moves Events to Albuquerque for 2026 Racing Season
The 2026 season shifts to Albuquerque after engineering analysis found Ruidoso Downs faces life-threatening flood risks from moderate rainfall, officials said.
- On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Ruidoso Downs Race Track officials announced the 2026 meet will relocate to The Downs at Albuquerque after concluding the site is unsustainable.
- Following catastrophic floods in July 2024 and July 8, 2025, track managers said Ruidoso Downs Race Track suffered severe infrastructure damage and officials could not secure mitigation with local, state and federal agencies.
- The August 5, 2025 JE Fuller report for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security found serious flood risks at the racetrack, warning moderate rainfall of two inches per hour can overwhelm drainage and cause life-threatening floods.
- Event organizers confirmed that this summer will be the first in more than 80 years without organized horse racing at Ruidoso Downs, though sales and the Billy the Kid Casino remain operational, affecting local businesses and the racing community.
- Officials are coordinating recovery in the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County, aiming to complete repairs well ahead of Memorial Day 2027 to restore racing, highlighting Ruidoso Downs' historic All American Futurity since 1959.
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Ruidoso Downs Race Track will not reopen for 2026 season due to flooding concerns
RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (KRQE) – The Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino has announced it will not be reopening for this year's racing season following flooding damage from the last two years. The Ruidoso Downs Race Track sent out a release Monday stating that, after a study done by engineering firm JE Fuller in August 2025, [...]
Reopening Ruidoso Downs Racetrack 'not feasible' after flooding
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Management at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack says that "continuing operations at the current site is not feasible," throwing into doubt whether the track will be able to reopen in the near future. That is part of a statement posted on the racetrack's website on Monday, Jan. 19. The racetrack sustained significant [...]
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