Ruidoso Downs Sales Prep Continues As State Recovery Efforts Begin on Rio Ruidoso

 MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025

(Ruidoso Downs, NM) Preparations for the two major horse sales at Ruidoso Downs are continuing to be made this week according to Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh.

“The New Mexico Breed Sale and the All American Select Sale are continuing as planned for next month,” Baugh said. “These are important sales that impact the horse racing industry every year and we intend for the sales to continue at Ruidoso Downs in August at our sales pavilion.

The New Mexico Breed Sale will be Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th starting at 5 p.m. each day. There are approximately 235 state-bred quarter horses and thoroughbreds expected to be sold during the two days.

The All American Select Sale will be held Friday and Saturday, August 29th and 30th with an estimated 480 yearling quarter horses scheduled to be sold.  The Select Sale begins at 3 p.m. each day.

“The number of horses going through the ring remains strong,” Baugh said. “We invite everyone to come to these sales and feel confident that Ruidoso Downs is going to be back in 2026 and these horses are going to able to compete at this racetrack.”

“We have received assurance from Governor Michelle Luhan Grisham and the Department of Homeland Security that horse racing will continue at Ruidoso Downs in 2026,” Baugh said. “We have been in communication with state agencies involved in making the necessary repairs and changes in design along the river and we say with confidence to horse owners that Ruidoso Downs will be back better than ever.”

Meanwhile, trials for the $3 million All American Futurity for two-year-olds at 440-yards will be held Monday and Tuesday, August 4th and 5th  at Albuquerque Downs. Trials for the $750,000 (est.) All American Derby and $500,000 (est.) All American Oaks will be Wednesday, August 6th. The top-ten fastest times in those races will advance to the finals on Labor Day, Sept. 1 at Albuquerque Downs. There will be five stakes races on Labor Day including: All American Futurity, All American Derby, All American Oaks, All American Invitational and All American Juvenile.

The Casey Donahew concert and the “Margarita-fest” scheduled for Saturday, July 26th at Ruidoso Downs will be held as scheduled. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Ruidoso Downs has announced that the Bellamy Brothers benefit concert that was scheduled for Sunday, August 31st has been moved to the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will go to victims of the recent flooding through the Community Foundation of Lincoln County. Tickets are available at www.raceruidoso.com. Any tickets that were previously purchased for the Bellamy Brothers concert at Ruidoso Downs can be exchanged for the new venue or refunded.