Home / Disasters and Accidents / Flood Risk Forces Ruidoso Downs to Cancel 2026 Races
Flood Risk Forces Ruidoso Downs to Cancel 2026 Races
20 Jan
Summary
- Ruidoso Downs Racetrack will not host live racing in 2026 due to severe flood risks.
- Massive flooding in July 2024 and July 2025, exacerbated by wildfires, devastated the track.
- An engineering report indicates ongoing flood risks that cannot be adequately addressed.
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack in New Mexico has officially canceled its 2026 live racing season due to persistent and severe flood risks. The racetrack has been significantly impacted by flooding following extensive wildfires that burned nearly 25,000 acres in June 2024. Catastrophic flood events in July 2024 and again in July 2025 inundated the racing surface and backstretch, leading to the relocation of major events.
Discussions with state officials on January 15, 2026, involved Ruidoso owner Johnny Trotter and Mayor Lynn Crawford. A report from JE Fuller, an engineering firm, dated August 5, 2025, was presented, highlighting that even moderate rainfall could overwhelm existing and planned drainage improvements. This report concluded that the racetrack faces serious and ongoing flooding risks that cannot be adequately mitigated, rendering it unsustainable for public operations.
