Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, a historic racetrack known for hosting both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets for nearly 80 years, will be unable to hold live racing events at its facility in 2026 due to severe and ongoing flood risks. After catastrophic flooding in 2024 and 2025, an engineering report by JE Fuller, commissioned by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, concluded that even moderate rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding that existing and proposed mitigation efforts cannot sufficiently prevent. Consequently, the racetrack has been deemed unsustainable for the foreseeable future.

As a result, Ruidoso Downs’ 2026 racing schedule, including the prestigious GI All-American Futurity, will be relocated to the Downs at Albuquerque while officials evaluate the track’s future. The decision, described as deeply emotional and difficult by management, prioritizes the safety of patrons, employees, horsemen, and horses. Despite efforts to collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies on flood mitigation, the racetrack cannot be adequately protected, leading to the suspension of operations at the current site.