Ruidoso Downs Cancels Live Racing for 2026 Season Amid Flood Risks: Devastating Blow to Tularosa’s Horse Industry and Local Jobs

Ruidoso, NM – January 19, 2026

In a heartbreaking announcement released today on the official Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino website, officials confirmed that live horse racing will not return to the historic Ruidoso Downs track in 2026 due to insurmountable flooding risks. The decision follows exhaustive efforts with local, state, and federal agencies to assess and implement flood mitigation measures after catastrophic floods in July 2024 and July 2025.

The announcement details months of collaboration, including a January 15, 2026, meeting in Santa Fe with state officials involving track owner Johnny Trotter, General Manager Rick Baugh, and Village of Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford. Despite pleas for solutions, engineering analysis from JE Fuller—retained by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security—concluded that even moderate rainfall events (two inches or more per hour over fire-scarred watersheds) could overwhelm proposed drainage improvements, posing life-threatening dangers. The report deems the site unsustainable as a public venue, prioritizing the safety of patrons, employees, horsemen, and horses.

The full 2026 racing schedule, including major quarter horse events like the All American Futurity, will relocate to The Downs at Albuquerque. However, the 2026 New Mexico Bred Sale and Super Select Sale will proceed as scheduled at the Ruidoso Downs Sales Pavilion. The Billy the Kid Casino, simulcast wagering, and dining options remain open at the Ruidoso site.

Heavy Economic and Job Impact Felt in Tularosa

For the Village of Tularosa in Otero County—approximately 40 miles west of Ruidoso along Highway 70—the cancellation delivers a severe setback. Tularosa has long served as a critical support hub for the racing industry, particularly through facilities like Horseman’s Park, an upscale training and boarding center that provides stabling, training grounds, and overflow capacity during peak seasons or emergencies.

In recent years, disruptions from wildfires and floods led to horse evacuations to Tularosa-area barns, injecting seasonal revenue into local operations. Trainers, owners, and support staff traveling for the Ruidoso meet boosted demand for boarding, veterinary services, farriers, feed suppliers, transportation, and temporary labor. The relocation to Albuquerque—nearly 200 miles away—will drastically reduce this traffic, as personnel opt for closer accommodations or scale back movements.

Local business owners anticipate reduced occupancy at training facilities like Horseman’s Park, leading to lower revenue for horse-related services. Seasonal and part-time jobs—tied to barn maintenance, horse care, logistics, and related agricultural supply—face the greatest risk. While precise figures for Tularosa job losses remain unavailable this early, the ripple effects could affect dozens of positions in a community where these roles provide essential income during the summer racing window.

The broader regional economy, already strained by prior disasters, will feel the absence of visitor spending that historically spilled over from Ruidoso. Race fans and industry personnel often extended stays in nearby Alamogordo and Cloudcroft, supporting hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and retail—with indirect benefits reaching Tularosa’s smaller enterprises.

State Representative Harlan Vincent (R-Lincoln and Otero counties) highlighted the widespread concern, noting the track’s “big economic impact” on local businesses and the urgent need to sustain communities like those in Otero County. Prior estimates pegged the Ruidoso Downs site’s annual contribution at over $150-160 million regionally, with New Mexico’s horse racing industry supporting thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions statewide.

Mayor Lynn Crawford expressed deep disappointment but remained committed to a return by 2027, stating the community, stakeholders, and officials are unified in efforts to restore championship quarter horse racing. Track leaders echoed this sentiment, describing the choice as the most emotional in their history while pledging ongoing communication.

Tularosa residents and equestrian businesses are urged to stay engaged as the industry navigates this transition. Alamogordo Town News will provide continued coverage of local responses and any emerging support measures.

Citations:

• Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino: “2026 Track Update” (January 19, 2026) – https://www.raceruidoso.com/info/2026-track-update

NM Department of Economic Development 

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