Live Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and American Paint Paint horse racing may make a comeback to Kansas in 2026, marking the first live horse racing there since 2008. This development was initially reported by Thoroughbred Daily News.
Minutes from the Kansas Horse Racing and Gaming Commission meeting on June 13, 2025, revealed that the commission anticipates receiving an application from the Greenwood County Fair Commission, which runs Eureka Downs, to approve a 16-day mixed-race event called a “fair meet.”
Peach Muddle, the executive director of the Kansas Thoroughbred Association, shared with The Paulick Report that the Greenwood County Fair Board has appointed experienced racetrack manager Michael Weiss as the general manager of Eureka Downs. Weiss informed the commission in August 2025 that with the right renovations, Eureka Downs could potentially hold races in October or November 2026. Notably, Eureka Downs features a half-mile track with a frontside chute designed for quarter horse racing.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on November 25, 2025.
Fan Take: The return of live horse racing to Kansas is a thrilling development for fans, as it revives a local racing tradition that has been dormant for nearly two decades. This renewed activity at Eureka Downs could stimulate the regional racing scene, drawing new fans and competitors and boosting the sport’s overall vitality.
