Equibase, North American racing's official database, has released its March statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data.
March's metrics show a 2.14 percent increase in total wagering on U.S. races, an improving trend over the 5.21 percent decline from February of 2022 to February 2023, and the 7.19 percent decline from January of 2022 to January 2023. Overall, the first quarter statistics show a 3.40 decline in total wagering through the first three months of 2023.
The number of race days and races held both showed mild increases, leading to a first quarter average daily wagering figure that declined 5.16 percent.
The average field size in March rang in at 7.48 starters per race, a 1.62 percent increase over the same month in 2022. The first quarter figures show average field size for the first three months of 2023 at 7.59 starters; while that's a decline from the first two months of 2023, which saw average field size at 7.66 starters per race, the number remains slightly above average for the time of year.
Purses continue to show an upward trend: this March, the total purses offered was 9.16 percent higher than the same month of 2022, continuing the trend from January and February with year-to-date purses offered up 8.70 percent.
Equibase is continuing to provide monthly reporting of its Economic Indicators Advisories as a service to the industry and in consideration of the economic changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.
| March 2023 vs. March 2022 | |||
| Indicator | March 2023 | March 2022 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $962,703,949 | $942,491,814 | +2.14% |
| U.S. Purses | $94,783,996 | $86,833,249 | +9.16% |
| U.S. Race Days | 294 | 291 | +1.03% |
| U.S. Races | 2,469 | 2,423 | +1.90% |
| U.S. Starts | 18,466 | 17,833 | +3.55% |
| Average Field Size | 7.48 | 7.36 | +1.62% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,274,503 | $3,238,803 | +1.10% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $322,395 | $298,396 | +8.04% |
| 1st QTR 2023 vs. 1st QTR 2022 | |||
| Indicator | 1st QTR 2023 | 1st QTR 2022 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $2,700,226,520 | $2,795,180,408 | -3.40% |
| U.S. Purses | $266,034,135 | $244,752,338 | +8.70% |
| U.S. Race Days | 822 | 807 | +1.86% |
| U.S. Races | 6,977 | 6,768 | +3.09% |
| U.S. Starts | 52,979 | 51,146 | +3.58% |
| Average Field Size | 7.59 | 7.56 | +0.48% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,284,947 | $3,463,668 | -5.16% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $323,643 | $303,287 | +6.71% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.
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