Thoroughbred handle up 13.7 percent compared to 2019 in third quarter
Total wagering on Thoroughbred races at U.S. racetracks in September was up 13.7 percent compared to wagering in the same month of 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, according to figures released by Equibase on Tuesday.
The September total of $911.9 million this year was part of a strong third quarter for Thoroughbred racing when compared to the same quarter in 2019. For the three months this year, total wagering was $3.22 billion, up 10.2 percent over the 2019 third-quarter total of $2.92 billion, despite a 6.0 percent decline in the number of races held.
There were eight weekend dates in September this year, and there were nine in September 2019.
On average, each race held in September of this year drew $271,002 in bets, up 12.5 percent compared to the average in September 2019 of $240,913, despite the loss of a weekend date this year. For the quarter, per-race average was $308,568, up 17.2 percent compared to the 2019 average of $263,261.
Purses distributed in September in U.S. races were $365.4 million, up 4.4 percent compared to $349.9 million in September 2019.
Comparisons to last year are complicated by the enormous number of disruptions caused by the pandemic. In addition, last year, the Kentucky Derby and its supporting card, which drew more bets than any other card in 2020, was held in September. For the record, total wagering in September of last year was $1.04 billion, well above the September total this year of $911.9 million.
The average field size in September again dropped compared to both 2020 and 2019, at 7.16 horses per race. In 2020, the figure was 7.88 horses per race, and in 2019, the figure was 7.58.
For the year, total wagering on U.S. races is up 10.5 percent when compared to 2019, and up 13.8 percent when compared to last year, according to the Equibase figures.