Repeated Flooding Ends Racing at Ruidoso Downs

Midland-Odessa residents likely have taken trips to New Mexico for recreation at some point in the past.

One hotspot that is popular in both Texas and New Mexico is the historic Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

It's with great sadness that, after years of planning and repeated catastrophic flooding, officials have determined the racetrack can no longer safely or sustainably operate at its current location.

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How Did This Happen?

Flooding events in July 2024 and July 2025 devastated the racetrack, impacting patrons, employees, horsemen, and the horses themselves.

In response, Ruidoso Downs leadership began working with local, state, and federal agencies to evaluate flood mitigation options that could prevent future disasters.

They even went as far as traveling to the capital of New Mexico in hopes of getting state officials to discuss possible solutions.

However, after extensive review and engineering analysis, authorities say those solutions aren’t enough to protect the facility from recurring flood risk.

The message from those meetings was clear: the racetrack cannot be made safe or sustainable, even with proposed mitigation measures on the property and upstream.

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Ceases Operations Due to Investigation

A full assessment by engineering firm JE Fuller was conducted, but engineers concluded the site cannot be adequately protected in the long-term.

Based on these findings and discussions with government experts, racetrack officials have decided that continued racing operations at Ruidoso Downs are not feasible.

The safety and well-being of attendees and equine athletes were cited as driving factors in the difficult decision.

The Future of the 2026 Racing Schedule

While regular racing at Ruidoso Downs will end, the organization has made arrangements for the 2026 racing schedule to continue at the Downs in Albuquerque.

Additionally, the 2026 New Mexico Bred Sale and Super Select sale will proceed at the Ruidoso Downs Sales Pavilion during their normal timeframes.

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Officials will continue communicating with the public and assessing next steps for the property, but the focus remains on transition and safety as the historic facility faces an uncertain future.