Del Mar wrapped up its 12th Annual Bing Crosby Fall Meet on Sunday, reporting a 9.4% rise in total betting handles, despite having one fewer race day compared to 2024 because of weather-related cancellations, according to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The total betting amount for the recently finished 13-day Fall Tournament climbed to $183.4 million, up from $167.6 million during the 14-day 2024 Fall Tournament. The average daily handle for the 13 race days was $14.1 million, marking a 17.8% increase from last year. The average number of horses per race remained steady at 7.77, compared to 7.72 in 2024.
For the second year running, the showcase event of the fall season was the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 31 and November 1. Note that the 2025 handle and field size figures exclude races from the Breeders’ Cup 2 card. Hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the fourth time in the past nine years, Del Mar saw a triumphant event featuring top domestic and international competitors, generating over $180 million for the third time in the tournament’s history.
Del Mar’s renowned Jimmy Durante Turf Course hosted the nation’s top fall turf races, including the popular FanDuel Racing Turf Festival with six graded stakes races on the final weekend. Del Mar President Josh Rubinstein emphasized that their strong performance, along with Santa Anita’s, validates the single-circuit model benefiting California horse racing. He expressed gratitude to horse owners, trainers, and jockeys nationwide and highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster the state’s horse racing economy.
The jockey championship was clinched on the final day by Humberto Rispoli with 17 wins, while George Papaplodromou won the trainer’s title with 11 wins after a tight competition. Juddmonte emerged as the leading owner for the fall season with four wins. Gary Fenton, president of California Thoroughbred Owners, praised the fall meeting results as proof that California horse racing is on the right path, noting that the growth in handle, competitive fields, and Breeders’ Cup success underline the benefits of a unified single-circuit approach. The TOC pledges to continue collaborating with partners to maintain this momentum and create a sustainable future for owners and the racing community.
Del Mar will resume racing with its 2026 summer season from July 17 to September 7.
Fan Take: This strong performance at Del Mar underscores growing enthusiasm and investment in California horse racing, which is crucial for attracting fans and talent alike. If this upward trend continues, it could signal a revitalization of the sport with more exciting competition and bigger purses for horse racing enthusiasts.
