For the fifth consecutive year, Horseshoe Indianapolis has broken its record for the highest amount wagered on live horse races. The recent 123-day meet concluded with a total handle surpassing $287 million in 2025.
Eric Hallstrom, Vice President and Director of Racing, expressed pride in the team’s achievements this season. Despite facing significant betting figures in 2024 and having 49 fewer races this year, the track managed to exceed last year’s numbers. He credited ongoing efforts to enhance the racing program and emphasized the crucial role jockey organizations play in supporting their mission of delivering quality racing.
One challenge in 2025 was a decrease in turf races due to poor weather conditions, with only 198 turf races held compared to 237 in 2024. This reduction negatively affected betting on those race days.
Hallstrom noted the weather difficulties but praised the course maintenance team, led by Tony Martinez, for their efforts keeping the turf in top shape. Thanks to their hard work, only 39 turf races were lost throughout the season, potentially preventing more cancellations.
Overall, Horseshoe Indianapolis generated $287,801,273 in handle, up 2.01% from $282,131,209 in 2024. When including all international distributors, the figure is expected to surpass $300 million by year’s end.
Handle per race rose by 6.39% to $252,886 from $236,886 the previous year. Truck handles also saw a modest 2% increase, climbing from $4,724,140 to $4,818,434.
Horseshoe Indianapolis set a new single-day handle record on July 5 during the 31st Grade 3 Indiana Derby with wagers exceeding $9.163 million, surpassing the prior $8.147 million record set in 2024 by over $1 million. The 6th Annual Indiana Champions Day on October 25 also set a record with wagers topping $2.8 million. This event features both thoroughbred and quarter horse races.
Quarter horse racing contributed to the records as well, with six of the 123 race days dedicated to it. The May 31 Quarter Horse card achieved a new single-day record for a sprinter with over $1,273,000 wagered. The second Quarter Horse Day on June 29 also saw more than $1.142 million bet, reaching over $1 million total handle.
The 24th season of live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing returns Tuesday, April 7. For more information, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or follow @HSIndyRacing on social media.
Fan Take: This record-breaking year at Horseshoe Indianapolis highlights the growing enthusiasm and investment in horse racing, signaling a bright future for the sport. For fans, it means more exciting races, increased competition, and stronger support for the industry overall.
