Ruidoso Downs Has Made History, Now It May Be History

The legendary horse racing track in Ruidoso, New Mexico has seen its last race thanks to irreparable damage caused by recent, heavy flooding.

Poor Ruidoso has been through so much lately. First came the wildfires which left "burn scars" that contributed to heavy flooding. On top of the lives and property lost, now the flooding has brought about the end of Ruidoso Downs. Maybe forever.

Ruidoso Downs has been around since the 1940's but the heavy flooding has made its future very uncertain. There will be no racing there in 2026 and, (more than likely), not for many years to come. In fact, it's quite possible the track will never reopen.

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According to a news release on the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino website, last week owner Johnny Trotter and General Manager Rick Baugh and the mayor of the Village of Ruidoso, Lynn Crawford, traveled to Santa Fe to meet with state officials on further flood mitigation efforts, "only to find out that the racetrack is not sustainable now or for many years to come." - KVIA

Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford remains more optimistic, boldly claiming the track will be back next year.

Mayor Wants Ruidoso Reopened Soon

"We will all continue recovery efforts, and we will persevere. To our racing families, horsemen, visitors, and fans: we miss you already, and we are working every single day to welcome you back in 2027. - KVIA

What's Wrong With Ruidoso Downs?

Experts have examined the 79 year old race track and seem convinced that is cannot be "adequately protected from future flooding", meaning it may never reopen. It could however be rebuilt elsewhere so horse racing may have a future in Ruidoso but it doesn't look like Ruidoso Downs does.

The 2026 season races have been moved to the Downs at Albuquerque.