Equibase, LLC released its fourth monthly report of 2021 on Economic Indicators in Thoroughbred Racing on Friday, June 4. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Equibase has been providing monthly economic indicators advisories. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.
With the pandemic-instigated racing shut down across much of North America in May of 2020, as well as the rescheduling of the Kentucky Derby, it's no surprise to see the massive 55.84 percent increase in wagering from May of 2020 to May of 2021. The increase in racing is evidenced by the 206 percent increase in races held across the same period.
Average daily wagering, however, was down 51.84 percent from May of 2020 to May of 2021, perhaps indicative of the other options for wagering dollars available as pandemic restrictions continue to decrease across the country.
The more representative year-to-date numbers, from the first five months of 2019 to the first five months of 2021, show total wagering up 12.88 percent while average daily wagering is up 25.55 percent.
| May 2021 vs. May 2020 | |||
| Indicator | May 2021 | May 2020 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,415,509,171 | $908,333,874 | +55.84% |
| U.S. Purses | $106,723,865 | $31,971,002 | +233.81% |
| U.S. Race Days | 398 | 123 | +223.58% |
| U.S. Races | 3,249 | 1,059 | +206.80% |
| U.S. Starts | 23,161 | 9,145 | +153.26% |
| Average Field Size | 7.13 | 8.64 | -17.45% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,556,556 | $7,384,828 | -51.84% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $268,150 | $259,927 | +3.16% |
| YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $5,284,716,622 | $4,056,194,923 | +30.29% |
| U.S. Purses | $411,282,722 | $254,699,053 | +61.48% |
| U.S. Race Days | 1,443 | 1,001 | +44.16% |
| U.S. Races | 12,376 | 8,421 | +46.97% |
| U.S. Starts | 93,411 | 67,928 | +37.51% |
| Average Field Size | 7.55 | 8.07 | -6.43% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,662,312 | $4,052,143 | -9.62% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $285,019 | $254,445 | +12.02% |
2019 Comparisons:
| May 2021 vs. May 2019 | |||
| Indicator | May 2021 | May 2019 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,415,509,171 | $1,300,923,869 | +8.81% |
| U.S. Purses | $106,723,865 | $115,776,828 | -7.82% |
| U.S. Race Days | 398 | 450 | -11.56% |
| U.S. Races | 3,249 | 3,650 | -10.99% |
| U.S. Starts | 23,161 | 25,955 | -10.76% |
| Average Field Size | 7.13 | 7.11 | +0.25% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,556,556 | $2,890,942 | +23.02% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $268,150 | $257,282 | +4.22% |
| YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2021 | YTD 2019 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $5,284,716,622 | $4,681,850,887 | +12.88% |
| U.S. Purses | $411,282,722 | $428,807,298 | -4.09% |
| U.S. Race Days | 1,443 | 1,605 | -10.09% |
| U.S. Races | 12,376 | 13,552 | -8.68% |
| U.S. Starts | 93,411 | 102,513 | -8.88% |
| Average Field Size | 7.55 | 7.56 | -0.22% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,662,312 | $2,917,041 | +25.55% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $285,019 | $267,170 | +6.68% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.
The post Economic Indicators: Derby Return To May Helps Boost Total Wagering Dollars appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
