Churchill Downs sees big jump in total and per-race handle at fall meet
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Total betting and average betting per race climbed significantly at the recently concluded Churchill Downs fall meet, with figures benefiting from a nearly 50 percent increase in turf races, according to an analysis by Daily Racing Form.
Churchill held 47 races on the turf course during the 26-day meet, compared to 32 over the same number of days during the fall meet last year. Turf races generally draw larger, more competitive fields than dirt races, presenting a more attractive product to bettors.
Total handle climbed 10.0 percent compared to the 2024 fall meet, to $189.16 million, according to the analysis, while average handle per race jumped 9.2 percent, to $708,453.
Average field size at the meet was statistically identical to last year’s fall meet, at 8.48 horses per race. During October, the national average field size was 7.69 horses per race, according to Equibase.
Churchill distributed a total of $27.95 million in purses over the 26 days, for an average purse of $104,663. The average was a 4.14 percent jump over last year, when the track held two fewer races. Purses at Churchill and all other Kentucky tracks are heavily subsidized by casino revenues that are directed toward horses eligible for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
On the track, Irad Ortiz Jr. took the rider’s title, winning 46 races from 177 starts, nine wins better than his brother Jose. Irad Ortiz also led all riders in purse earnings, with $4.1 million.
Brad Cox easily took the trainer’s title with 21 wins from 70 starts, seven better than Brendan Walsh. Cox won at a 30 percent clip during the meet.
Godolphin Racing won seven races to capture the owner’s title, two more than both David Jacobson and a partnership of Paradise Farm Corp. and David Staudacher.
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