Opening Day for the Thoroughbred Meet Slated for Friday, January 3, 2025
HOUSTON, TX – Sam Houston Race Park’s 31st live racing season will begin on Friday, January 3, 2025 with the 42-day Thoroughbred meet approved by the Texas Racing Commission on December 11. Live racing will take place on Friday at 6:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Central) through Saturday, April 6. Dates for the annual Quarter Horse meet were also approved with opening day on Thursday, April 24 and post time of 6:30 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Saturday, June 14.
As previously announced, Sam Houston Race Park will host 22 stakes, with the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter
and $75,000 My Dandy, set for Saturday, January 4.The annual Houston Racing Festival is set for Saturday, January 25 with a 1:00 pm first post. Five stakes, anchored by the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic and Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf. A total of $2.2 million in purses will be distributed in the upcoming live racing season.
Houston winters are mild, with average temperatures in the 60’s; exceptionally suited for live racing and outdoor events. Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park’s Vice President and General Manager, and his team had tremendous success with their extensive promotions schedule last year and will offer even more events for the 2025 season.
“Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and Sam Houston Race Park is in a unique position to present quality horse racing combined with festivities suited for fans of all ages,” said Pettigrew. “Afternoon racing on Saturdays and Sundays is ideal for outdoor and indoor events. Attendance on Friday Nights has grown, so we are enhancing those evenings with food and beverage specials, college nights and live music.”
Sam Houston Race Park has upgraded its online reservation system with tickets for live racing, special events, dining in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and suite rentals. For more information on live and simulcast racing, promotions and special events, or to book reservations, visit shrp.com.
2025 Sam Houston Race Park Promotions Schedule
· January 3-5 – Opening Weekend for Thoroughbred Racing
· Jan. 3 – Live Music by the Slags
· Jan. 10 – Rice University Night at the Race and Live Music from Southern County Line
· Jan. 11 – Houston Football Fans Day
· Jan. 12 – Healthcare Appreciation Day
· Jan. 17 – Lone Star College Night at the Races and Live Music by Mr. Wonderful
· Jan. 19 – Senior Citizens Day at the Races
· Jan. 24 – Texas A&M Night at the Race and Live Music by Main Street Trio
· Jan. 25 – Houston Racing Festival–Five Stakes Races/ Houston Betting Championship
· Jan. 31 – University of Kentucky Night at the Races and Live Music by AM/FM
· Feb. 7 – University of Houston Night at the Races and Live Music by The Fab 5
· Feb. 8 – Wiener Dog Championships
· Feb. 14 – Diamond Dig presented by Shannon Jewelers and Live Music by Buck Yeager
· Feb. 15 – Texas Preview Day – 5 Stakes Races
· Feb. 16 – GFL Energy Day at the Races
· Feb. 21 – Sam Houston State Night at the Races and Live Music by Texas Eagles
· Feb. 22 – Houston Basketball Fans Day
· Feb. 23 – GEXA Energy Day at the Races
· Feb. 28 – University of Texas Night at the Races and Live Music by Daniel Lynn
· March – Sundays are Family Fun Days
· March 1 – Dollar ($1) Day
· March 7-8 – Camel & Ostrich Races
· March 14 – 16 – St. Patrick’s Three-Day Celebration
· March 14 – Prairie View A&M Night at the Races
· March 21 – Texas Southern University Night at the Races
· March 21 – 3rd Annual Astronaut Run
· March 22 – 31st Running of Texas Champions Day – 7 Stakes Races
· March 28 – Texas State University Night at the Races
· April 4 – Louisiana State University Day at the Races
· April 6 – L’Auberge Casino Resort Day at the Races
· April 24 – 26 – Opening Weekend of Quarter Horse Racing
· April 26 – Houston Baseball Fans Day
· May 2 – Kentucky Oaks Day
· May 3 – Kentucky Derby Day
· May 10 – Corgi Dog Races
· May 17 – Preakness Stakes Day
· May 24 – Ladies Night & Wine Tasting
· May 31 – Teacher Appreciation Day
· June 7 – Belmont Stakes Day
· June 14 – Father’s Day Weekend and HorsePower and Brews