Del Mar: Fall meet handle rises, Rispoli wins riding title
Del Mar closed out its fall meet Sunday with a 9.4% gain in total handle, despite running one fewer day than in 2024 because of a weather-related cancellation.
Total wagering for the recently concluded 13-day fall meet rose to $183.4 million compared to $167.6 million for the 14-day 2024 fall season. Average daily handle for the 13 race days was $14.1 million, an increase of 17.8% from last year. Field size for the fall season remained steady at 7.77 runners per race versus 7.72 in 2024.
For the second year in a row, the highlight of the fall session was the Breeders’ Cup World Championships held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. These 2025 handle and field size results exclude races conducted over the two Breeders’ Cup cards.
“The recent strong business results at Santa Anita, along with those from our own summer and fall meets, show that the public is embracing the single-circuit model to the benefit of California racing stakeholders,” Del Mar president Josh Rubinstein said. “We’re grateful for the continued support from owners, trainers, and horseplayers across the country, and we remain focused on finding additional ways to strengthen the economics of racing in California.”
Leading jockey honors came down to the final day of the meet, with Umberto Rispoli securing the title with 17 wins. The trainer race was just as competitive through closing day, and George Papaprodromou finished atop the standings with 11 victories. The leading owner for the fall season was Juddmonte, concluding the meet with four wins.
"The results from Del Mar’s fall meet reaffirm that California racing is moving in the right direction,” Thoroughbred Owners of California chairman Gary Fenton said. “Handle growth, competitive fields, and the success of the Breeders’ Cup showcase the value of a unified, single-circuit approach. TOC will continue working with our partners to build on this momentum and deliver a healthier, more sustainable future for our owners and the entire racing ecosystem."
Del Mar will resume racing at its 2026 summer season, scheduled from July 17 through Sept. 7.