The 2025 Sweetwater Downs horse racing meet concluded on Sunday with increases in attendance, handle and horsemen participation. Larger on-track crowds contributed to a 9.57 percent increase in wagering at the Rock Springs oval, while all-sources handle, which includes in-state and out-of-state wagering sites, rose 99.06 percent.
“In my 15 years as a partner in Wyoming Horse Racing LLC (WHR) this season at Sweetwater Downs has to be one of our best,” remarked Sweetwater Downs President Eugene Joyce. “The success of our Wyoming Horse Racing Off Track Betting Facilities (OTBs) helped us boost purses 40 percent this season. Over the 18-day meeting we distributed a total of $1,950,700 in purse money. We had a record number of stall applications. Our horsemen had their horses ready to run and the average field size was 8.51 horses per race. Wyoming is an attractive place to breed and run. Our plan is to build on the momentum from this season as we look ahead to 2026.”
Fans and horsemen attending the races were introduced to several changes this season designed to enhance the live racing experience while improving safety. “We completely rebuilt and redesigned our paddock area, constructing new and safer stalls for our horsemen,” said WHR General Manager Sean Beirne. “We created a walking ring and an area where our fans could watch the horses being saddled. We also added a winner’s circle, adjacent to the finish line, for owners and their connections to celebrate their victories.”
On the racetrack, Bill Doenzs’ Cowboy Cadilac won the $250,000 Sweetwater Downs Futurity on September 6, the richest race in Wyoming history. The win, one of seven at the meeting, helped the Sheridan, Wyoming resident, capture the leading owner title. Eddie Jensen was one victory short of catching Doenz however he did secure his third consecutive WABRA Wyoming Bred QH Futurity victory. Jockey Jacob Cardenas took home the riding title, winning 17 races. Minor Arana finished two behind in second. The training title was shared by Kylie Valenzuela and Jess R. Matt who posted 14 wins each.
Revenues from WHR’s Historical Horse Racing (HHR) gaming machines, simulcasting, and live racing events, provide a sizable boost to the state’s horse industry, increasing purse sizes, bolstering competition, and creating sustained growth across the sector and its suppliers.
Wyoming Horse Racing, LLC is a proud sponsor of Sweetwater Downs races and operates eleven Horse Palace OTB locations throughout the state. The company led the effort to legalize HHR terminals in Wyoming, which has significantly grown Wyoming’s horse industry and makes meaningful contributions to the state’s tax revenues. Pacesetter Racing & Gaming, the parent company led by industry stalwarts Nick Hughes, John Sheldon and Pete Liguori, is committed to responsible stewardship and investment in the hospitality and agri-business sectors that constitute the horse racing industry in Wyoming. Together, the companies prioritize responsible innovation, are champions for horse racing and drive lasting investment in the hospitality and agri-business sectors.
