As the sun dipped behind the grandstand on Sunday, a groom paused to wrap her arms around a tired but content stakes runner, stroking his neck as the final cheers of the Del Mar Fall Meet 2025 echoed through the coastal air. That small, human moment summed up the season’s tone — a closing day filled with warmth, pride, and a sense that California’s autumn racing rhythm is finding new strength.
Del Mar’s 12th Bing Crosby Fall Meet concluded with notable growth in overall raceday business, despite losing one day to weather. Across 13 days, the meet generated healthy activity and consistent participation, reflecting the track’s steady position in the state’s single-circuit structure.
Strong Seasonal Numbers for Del Mar Fall Meet 2025
Officials reported that overall turnover across the meet rose to $183.4 million for the 13-day session, a significant increase on last year’s total across 14 days. Average daily business also grew, climbing to $14.1 million — a testament to deeper engagement from participants and followers nationwide. Field size held firm at nearly eight runners per race, maintaining the competitive depth that has become a hallmark of Del Mar’s late-season programme.
Although the Breeders’ Cup figures are tallied separately, its two-day showcase once again served as the emotional centrepiece of the autumn. The 2025 running marked Del Mar’s fourth time hosting the global event in nine years, and the atmosphere proved every bit as electric. Performances across the international fields delivered some of the most compelling storylines of the year, with overall Cup-week turnover surpassing $180 million.
Meanwhile, the track’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course, celebrated for its reliability and forgiving profile, staged the nation’s premier fall turf action. The final-weekend Turf Festival offered six graded races and drew strong, balanced fields that kept crowds engrossed deep into the programme.
Del Mar President Josh Rubinstein praised the unified seasonal structure across California, noting the positive results emerging from consecutive meets. He emphasised the need to continue strengthening the sport’s long-term foundations, crediting owners, trainers, and supporters for sustaining momentum.
Competition for the meet titles went right down to the wire. Umberto Rispoli clinched leading jockey honours with 17 victories, while George Papaprodromou secured the training crown after a tightly fought battle. Juddmonte finished as the season’s leading owner, signing off with four wins on the board.
Thoroughbred Owners of California Chairman Gary Fenton echoed the optimistic tone, describing the autumn meet as another indicator that the state’s coordinated approach is delivering meaningful benefits for all participants.
Racing is set to return to the seaside venue for the 2026 summer season, scheduled from July 17 to September 7.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to racebuzz
