Wagering on U.S. thoroughbred racing posted modest gains in August 2025, even as racing opportunities dipped slightly compared with last year.

Bettors wagered $1.20 billion on U.S. races during the month, a 3.1% increase over August 2024’s $1.17 billion. Purses also rose, with available money climbing 7.2% to $153.1 million and paid purses up 6.3% to $145.3 million. Those increases came despite fewer race days, down 3.9% to 400, and slightly fewer races and starts. The average wagering per race day jumped 7.3% to just over $3 million, while average daily purses grew 11.5%.

Year-to-date figures tell a different story. Through August, handle reached $7.94 billion, down 1.7% from the same period in 2024. Purses are also off slightly, with available money down 1.7% and paid purses down 2.0%. The sport has run 4.1% fewer race days and nearly 4% fewer races compared with last year, while total starts declined 3.3%. On the positive side, average field size has inched up to 7.41 starters per race, and both average wagering and purses per race day have improved modestly.

Handle has been down in five of eight months to date, with August, January, and May the exceptions. August’s total was easily the second highest of the year, trailing only May, when both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, two of the sport’s most important events from a wagering perspective, are held.