Good News: Racing Economic Indicators Trending Up

For the second consecutive year, total wagering on U.S. races topped $11 billion. 

YTD 2019 vs. YTD 2018      

Indicator         YTD 2019       YTD 2018       % Change

Wagering on U.S. Races*    $11,038,790,395    $11,263,943,823            -2.00%

Wagering on U.S. Purses   $1,167,921,650      $1,117,743,340           +4.49%

U.S. Race Days           4,425   4,432   -0.16%

U.S. Races      36,207 36,586 -1.04%

U.S. Starts       272,553           279,774           -2.58%

Average Field Size     7.53     7.65     -1.56%

Average Wagering Per Race Day       $2,494,642      $2,541,504      -1.84%

Average Purses Per Race Day            $263,937         $252,198          +4.65%

4th QTR 2019 vs. 4th QTR 2018      

Indicator         4th QTR 2019 4th QTR 2018 % Change

Wagering on U.S. Races*       $2,442,731,189      $2,422,104,796       +0.85%

U.S. Purses      $274,052,371  $268,546,738  +2.05%

U.S. Race Days           910      936     -2.78%

U.S. Races      7,653   7,933   -3.53%

U.S. Starts       61,576 63,884 -3.61%

Average Field Size     8.05     8.05     .09%

Average Wagering Per Race Day       $2,684,320      $2,587,719          +3.73%

Average Purses Per Race Day            $301,156         $286,909            +4.97%