Economic Indicators: U.S. Wagering Tops $12 Billion In 2021 For Highest Total Handle Since 2009

Equibase, North American racing's official database, on Wednesday released its 2021 statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data, along with 2019 and 2020 comparables. The 2019 data is included as a  pre-COVID-19 comparison.

Total handle on U.S. races in 2021 topped $12 billion, reaching the highest figure since 2009. That number represents an 11.86 percent increase over wagering in 2020 ($10.9B), and an increase of 10.74 percent compared to 2019 ($11B).

By comparison, the 2009 wagering total of $12.3 billion came from a total of 49,368 races. The 2021 wagering totals were from 33,567 races, a 32 percent decline in the number of races.

“Against an extraordinarily difficult backdrop, the resiliency of Thoroughbred racing was on full display in 2021 as we concluded the year with significant growth in purses and total handle of more than $12 billion, the highest since 2009,” said Tom Rooney, president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “We thank our customers for their ongoing support as their wagering dollars continue to fuel our industry. As we turn the page to 2022, we look forward to the beginning of a new era for U.S. Thoroughbred racing with the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and an even greater focus on equine safety and welfare and the integrity of America's oldest sport.”

Race days and starts both increased over 2020, which is expected after the pandemic shut down much of the U.S.'s live racing last year, but average field size showed a decline of 7.2 percent from 2020 to 2021. Over the same period, despite an increase of 10 percent in average purses per race day, average wagering per race day showed a 9.29 percent decline.

As compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, however, average wagering per race day showed an over 20 percent increase in 2021 as the number of race days fell by 7.98 percent. That's despite the average field size dropping from 7.53 in 2019 to 7.37 in 2021.

Total purses showed the largest percentage increase from 2020 to 2021, up 35.77 percent and 10.09 percent per race day.

Overall, the numbers suggest the horse racing industry is recovering from the pandemic, but also that it is struggling to retain field size as foal crops have declined in numbers.

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator YTD 2021 YTD 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $12,218,407,637 $10,922,936,290 +11.86%
U.S. Purses $1,180,853,677 $869,771,206 +35.77%
U.S. Race Days 4,072 3,302 +23.32%
U.S. Races 33,567 27,700 +21.18%
U.S. Starts 247,416 220,006 +12.46%
Average Field Size 7.37 7.94 -7.20%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,000,591 $3,307,976 -9.29%
Average Purses Per Race Day $289,994 $263,407 +10.09%

 

1st Half 2021 vs. 1st Half 2020
Indicator 1st Half 2021 1st Half 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $6,279,039,094 $5,054,526,907 +24.23%
U.S. Purses $515,151,692 $324,168,648 +58.91%
U.S. Race Days 1,881 1,301 +44.58%
U.S. Races 15,792 10,906 +44.80%
U.S. Starts 117,303 88,074 +33.19%
Average Field Size 7.43 8.08 -8.02%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,338,139 $3,885,109 -14.08%
Average Purses Per Race Day $273,871 $249,169 +9.91%

 

2nd Half 2021 vs. 2nd Half 2020
Indicator 2nd Half 2021 2nd Half 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $5,939,368,543 $5,868,409,383 +1.21%
U.S. Purses $665,701,985 $545,602,558 +22.01%
U.S. Race Days 2,191 2,001 +9.50%
U.S. Races 17,775 16,794 +5.84%
U.S. Starts 130,113 131,932 -1.38%
Average Field Size 7.32 7.86 -6.82%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,710,803 $2,932,738 -7.57%
Average Purses Per Race Day $303,835 $272,665 +11.43%

 

4th QTR 2021 vs. 4th QTR 2020
Indicator 4th QTR 2021 4th QTR 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $2,720,738,901 $2,576,392,869 +5.60%
U.S. Purses $300,299,698 $240,534,957 +24.85%
U.S. Race Days 870 793 +9.71%
U.S. Races 7,339 6,805 +7.85%
U.S. Starts 56,789 55,530 +2.27%
Average Field Size 7.74 8.16 -5.17%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,127,286 $3,248,919 -3.74%
Average Purses Per Race Day $345,172 $303,323 +13.80%

 

December 2021 vs. December 2020
Indicator December 2021 December 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $808,907,627 $751,783,126 +7.60%
U.S. Purses $74,777,035 $57,534,410 +29.97%
U.S. Race Days 251 229 +9.61%
U.S. Races 2,151 2,008 +7.12%
U.S. Starts 17,257 16,884 +2.21%
Average Field Size 8.02 8.41 -4.59%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,222,740 $3,282,896 -1.83%
Average Purses Per Race Day $297,916 $251,242 +18.58%

2019 Comparisons:

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator YTD 2021 YTD 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $12,218,407,637 $11,033,824,363 +10.74%
U.S. Purses $1,180,853,677 $1,167,920,667 +1.11%
U.S. Race Days 4,072 4,425 -7.98%
U.S. Races 33,567 36,207 -7.29%
U.S. Starts 247,416 272,553 -9.22%
Average Field Size 7.37 7.53 -2.08%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,000,591 $2,493,520 +20.34%
Average Purses Per Race Day $289,994 $263,937 +9.87%

 

1st Half 2021 vs. 1st Half 2019
Indicator 1st Half 2021 1st Half 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $6,279,039,094 $5,672,774,271 +10.69%
U.S. Purses $515,151,692 $544,002,132 -5.30%
U.S. Race Days 1,881 2,104 -10.60%
U.S. Races 15,792 17,457 -9.54%
U.S. Starts 117,303 130,239 -9.93%
Average Field Size 7.43 7.46 -0.44%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,338,139 $2,696,185 +23.81%
Average Purses Per Race Day $273,871 $258,556 +5.92%

  

2nd Half 2021 vs. 2nd Half 2019
Indicator 2nd Half 2021 2nd Half 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $5,939,368,543 $5,361,050,092 +10.79%
U.S. Purses $665,701,985 $623,918,535 +6.70%
U.S. Race Days 2,191 2,321 -5.60%
U.S. Races 17,775 18,750 -5.20%
U.S. Starts 130,113 142,314 -8.57%
Average Field Size 7.32 7.59 -3.56%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,710,803 $2,309,802 +17.36%
Average Purses Per Race Day $303,835 $268,815 +13.03%

 

4th QTR 2021 vs. 4th QTR 2019
Indicator 4th QTR 2021 4th QTR 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $2,720,738,901 $2,439,642,344 +11.52%
U.S. Purses $300,299,698 $274,053,649 +9.58%
U.S. Race Days 870 910 -4.40%
U.S. Races 7,339 7,653 -4.10%
U.S. Starts 56,789 61,576 -7.77%
Average Field Size 7.74 8.05 -3.83%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,127,286 $2,680,926 +16.65%
Average Purses Per Race Day $345,172 $301,158 +14.61%

 

December 2021 vs. December 2019
Indicator December 2021 December 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $808,907,627 $707,728,171 +14.30%
U.S. Purses $74,777,035 $66,315,581 +12.76%
U.S. Race Days 251 252 -0.40%
U.S. Races 2,151 2,169 -0.83%
U.S. Starts 17,257 17,561 -1.73%
Average Field Size 8.02 8.10 -0.91%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,222,740 $2,808,445 +14.75%
Average Purses Per Race Day $297,916 $263,157 +13.21%

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Woodbine Sees Third Highest Handle in 2021

Woodbine's 2021 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of $505,348,339, the third-highest season total in Woodbine Thoroughbred history.

For the second consecutive season, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortened season as the 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet did not begin until June 12. Originally scheduled for 133 race dates, the 2021 season included 99 race days, three more than last year, and 946 races contested.

Despite the delayed start, the 2021 season topped $500 million in all-sources handle, propelled mightily by Woodbine's highest single-season foreign wagering handle ever of $420,666,755.

The average field size of nine was a 4.8% increase in average per-race handle, which came in at $534,194 for 2021.

“Our racing team did a great job in creating appealing and competitive races throughout the entire season,” said Lawson. “The support of the owners and trainers through these hard times deserves recognition and our commitment to providing the best overall experience to those racing at Woodbine will only heighten in 2022.”

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Weatherbys Releases 2021 Return of Mares

The Weatherbys Return of Mares, through Oct. 20, was published on Thursday. A total of 12,920 live foals were registered so far in The General Stud Book. In 2020 the number was 12,778 and in 2019 13,443 were registered. Of the 12,920 foals, 4,282 (+1%) are registered with the GB suffix and 8,638 (+1%) in Ireland. In 2020 those numbers were 4,236 (GB) and 8,542 (Ire), while two years ago the number of registered foals stood at 4,655 (GB) and 8,788 (Ire).

Currently there are 22,720 broodmares at stud, an increase of 358 from 2020's 22,362. There were 22,919 broodmares in 2019. Of these 22,720 broodmares, 2,949 were not covered, a higher number than 2,667 in 2020 and 2,927 in 2019. Among those not covered, the mares were split with 1,293 (GB) and 1,656 in Ireland. There were also 6,016 no returns and 355 mares were barren.

In Britain, the number of stallions increased by 10 from 149 in 2020 to 159. In Ireland, the number of stallions declined by one from 232 in 2020. National Hunt stallions dominated by number of mares bred with Sea The Stars (Ire)'s Affinisea (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire) on top with 324. Close behind him was Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at 312 and Maxios (GB) (Monsun {Ger}) at 309. Rounding out the top four was Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at 302. The busiest Flat stallion in 2021 was Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who sired a record 56 first-crop 2-year-old winners. The Tally-Ho resident, who made a bright start to his stud career, covered 292 mares.

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Stories to Watch in 2021

It’s time to turn the page from what was a horrendous year. Thank goodness. The year 2021 is upon us and, for horse racing, it figures to be an important and eventful 12 months. These are the stories we will be talking about and writing about in 2021:

Will Handle Be On The Rise?

Perhaps the most positive story to come out of 2020 has been the handle figures. With the pandemic causing a sizeable reduction when it comes to the amount of races that were run, betting figured to have declined steeply this year. Instead, entering December, it was off just 1.48% for the year. The number of total races run was down by 24.52%.

This could mean that handle will show a significant bump in 2021. The theory is that racing picked up some new customers during the months where it was the only sporting event going and that is why the handle numbers for 2020 didn’t fall off a cliff. With what should be a fairly normal racing schedule in 2021 and with racing perhaps having grown its customer base, this could be a year where the sport takes a needed step forward.

Then again, the 2020 figures could be nothing more than a matter of the pie being sliced differently. Was this simply a case of the same people betting virtually the same amount of money, but having fewer overall races to wager on?

It’s anyone’s guess, but there should be a concrete answer to that question in 2021.

What Will Be The Impact Of The New Lasix Rules?

Starting Jan. 1, Lasix will not be permitted in most stakes races at several of the sport’s top tracks. The ban will include all three Triple Crown races and most of the prep races for the GI Kentucky Derby. This comes after the same tracks banned Lasix in 2-year-old races this year.

The 2-year-old ban didn’t have much of an impact as trainers adjusted and learned to do without the anti-bleeding medication. There didn’t seem to be any major incidents. Most likely, the story will be much the same when it comes to the 2021 stakes races as the sport discovers it can get by just fine without Lasix.

What’s Next When It Comes To The Doping Indictments?

Since the bombshell story broke in March that Jorge Navarro, Jason Servis and 25 others had been indicted for their alleged involvement in the doping of horses, there haven’t been many additional developments. That should change in 2021.

By year’s end, it’s likely that the case will reach a conclusion, with the possibility that both trainers enter into a plea deal. If that happens, both could be sentenced some time in 2021.

We should also know whether or not there will be additional indictments. It appears that some of the individuals who were indicted could be talking, perhaps naming more names. We’ll find out in 2021.

What Will We Learn About The Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act?

Signed into law by President Trump Sunday, the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Act must go into effect by July 1, 2022. But it will still be an important story to follow in the year ahead. This should be the year where many questions begin to get answered, among them how much will it cost and how will it be paid for? Horseplayers are dreading the thought of having to pay for this through a higher takeout and owners don’t want to have to pay some sort of fee every time they start a horse, Both, unfortunately, are possibilities.

This will also be the year when the members of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Board will be named.

Will Arlington Park Survive?

Churchill Downs, the owners of Arlington Park, has only committed to one more year of racing, which means 2021 could be it for one of the sport’s most beautiful tracks. There should be a place in the sport for a showcase track in a huge metropolitan area, but it doesn’t appear that there are many options on the horizon that would save Arlington. Let’s hope that there will be a reprieve for Arlington.

How Good Is Charlatan?

It’s not too early to jump on the Charlatan (Speightstown) bandwagon. Limited to just three races before being sidelined by an ankle injury, he looked like a horse with unlimited potential after crossing the wire first in the GI Arkansas Derby, a race he eventually lost due to a medication violation. He looks even better after his blowout win over a stellar field in the GI Runhappy Malibu S. Saturday at Santa Anita. The early favorite for 2021 Horse of the Year, Charlatan could have the kind of year that Ghostzapper had in 2004. Don’t expect a busy campaign, but he could dominate every time he shows up while posting ridiculously fast numbers.

What Will Be The Effect Of New Jersey’s Whip Ban?

Whip reform has been a slow process, but it will take a huge leap forward in 2021 when the whip will be banned in New Jersey racing. The only exception will be situations where it is needed for safety reasons. All eyes will be on Monmouth Park when it opens in the spring with an experiment that could change the debate when it comes to the future of the whip in racing. What happens in New Jersey could influence what direction California will take.

When Will Fans Be Allowed Back In The Stands?

Fans weren’t allowed to attend the Triple Crown races in 2020 or the Breeders’ Cup. The stands were empty at Saratoga and at Del Mar. That won’t change Jan. 1, but it appears likely that, with the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, there will be a return to normalcy in 2021. That may not happen in time for the Kentucky Derby, but could it happen for, say, opening day of Saratoga? Nothing would be more welcome.

Can Godolphin Win Its First Kentucky Derby?

There aren’t many important races left in the world that Sheikh Mohammed has not won, but a victory in the Kentucky Derby has eluded one of the sport’s most powerful stables. Godolphin has sent out 10 starters in the Derby without a winner. Its best showing was a fourth-place finish by Frosted (Tapit) in 2015.

That very well could change in 2021. Essential Quality (Tapit), the GI TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner who will soon be named 2019’s Champion 2-Year-Old Male, is a horse without any apparent flaws. He has the ability, the right breeding and the right trainer in Brad Cox. He will have to deal with whatever Bob Baffert brings to Churchill Downs, but Essential Quality very well could be the one to get Godolphin into the Derby winner’s circle.

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