Racing showed declines in wagering and the number of race days during the month of August compared with August 2021, according to the economic indicators released Monday by Equibase. Year-to-date figures, however showed increases in both wagering and race days.
Wagering, which includes worldwide commingled betting on U.S. races, was down 0.86% compared with the same month last year while year-to-date figures showed a slight uptick at 0.24%. The number of race days also showed a retreat from the same month in 2021 at 3.96% but a 1.37% rise in the year-to-date category.
Purses for August 2022 rose 3.66% compared with the same month last year; year-to-date figures increased by double digits at 12.29%.
Average purses per race day were up 7.93% versus August 2021 and up 10.78% in year-to-date analysis.
The number of U.S. races dropped 3.95% in August. Year-to-date, there was a decrease of 0.25%.
The number of starts in August also declined 1.87%. Year-to-date, the figures were down 1.65%.
Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators For August 2022
| August 2022 vs. August 2021 | |||
| Indicator | August 2022 | August 2021 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,194,876,167 | $1,205,251,116 | -0.86% |
| U.S. Purses | $130,206,874 | $125,611,453 | +3.66% |
| U.S. Race Days | 437 | 455 | -3.96% |
| U.S. Races | 3,400 | 3,540 | -3.95% |
| U.S. Starts | 24,228 | 24,690 | -1.87% |
| Average Field Size | 7.13 | 6.97 | +2.17% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $2,734,270 | $2,648,904 | +3.22% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $297,956 | $276,069 | +7.93% |
| YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2021 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $8,604,332,789 | $8,583,460,027 | +0.24% |
| U.S. Purses | $843,635,983 | $751,274,418 | +12.29% |
| U.S. Race Days | 2,819 | 2,781 | +1.37% |
| U.S. Races | 22,805 | 22,862 | -0.25% |
| U.S. Starts | 163,766 | 166,515 | -1.65% |
| Average Field Size | 7.18 | 7.28 | -1.41% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,052,264 | $3,086,465 | -1.11% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $299,268 | $270,145 | +10.78% |
2020 Comparisons:
| August 2022 vs. August 2020 | |||
| Indicator | August 2022 | August 2020 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,194,876,167 | $1,153,994,899 | +3.54% |
| U.S. Purses | $130,206,874 | $104,539,502 | +24.55% |
| U.S. Race Days | 437 | 445 | -1.80% |
| U.S. Races | 3,400 | 3,608 | -5.76% |
| U.S. Starts | 24,228 | 26,971 | -10.17% |
| Average Field Size | 7.13 | 7.48 | -4.67% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $2,734,270 | $2,593,247 | +5.44% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $297,956 | $234,920 | +26.83% |
| YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2020 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2022 | YTD 2020 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $8,604,332,789 | $7,306,542,949 | +17.76% |
| U.S. Purses | $843,635,983 | $518,929,044 | +62.57% |
| U.S. Race Days | 2,819 | 2,144 | +31.48% |
| U.S. Races | 22,805 | 17,794 | +28.16% |
| U.S. Starts | 163,766 | 140,029 | +16.95% |
| Average Field Size | 7.18 | 7.87 | -8.75% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,052,264 | $3,407,902 | -10.44% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $299,268 | $242,038 | +23.65% |
2019 Comparisons:
| August 2022 vs. August 2019 | |||
| Indicator | August 2022 | August 2019 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,194,876,167 | $1,177,165,980 | +1.50% |
| U.S. Purses | $130,206,874 | $128,293,019 | +1.49% |
| U.S. Race Days | 437 | 515 | -15.15% |
| U.S. Races | 3,400 | 4,026 | -15.55% |
| U.S. Starts | 24,228 | 28,895 | -16.15% |
| Average Field Size | 7.13 | 7.18 | -0.71% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $2,734,270 | $2,285,759 | +19.62% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $297,956 | $249,113 | +19.61% |
| YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2019 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2022 | YTD 2019 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $8,604,332,789 | $7,792,183,885 | +10.42% |
| U.S. Purses | $843,635,983 | $775,637,725 | +8.77% |
| U.S. Race Days | 2,819 | 3,103 | -9.15% |
| U.S. Races | 22,805 | 25,225 | -9.59% |
| U.S. Starts | 163,766 | 185,746 | -11.83% |
| Average Field Size | 7.18 | 7.36 | -2.48% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,052,264 | $2,511,178 | +21.55% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $299,268 | $249,964 | +19.72% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.
The post Economic Indicators For August Show Wagering, Race Days Declined While Purses Rose appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
