NYRA concluded its 2025 Saratoga season Monday with paid attendance exceeding one million fans for the tenth consecutive year, despite experiencing a slight decrease in all-sources handle.
The meet generated $791,129,471 in total handle, marginally down from 2024’s $803,806,984. On-track average daily handle remained nearly identical to last year at $19,778,237 compared to $20,610,435.
“Saratoga is special in many ways, but it is the enthusiastic support from fans and horseplayers that transforms this historic venue into a summer long celebration of the sport,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA President and CEO in a statement. “We thank each and every fan who visited Saratoga Race Course throughout the season, and all those who watched and wagered from home thanks to the expansive television coverage on FOX Sports. NYRA applauds the owners, trainers and jockeys for participating here in New York, and the members of the backstretch community whose dedication and skill are the backbone of racing.”
The meet’s marquee events drew substantial wagering activity. The GI Whitney Stakes card set a record with $49,651,341 in wagers, while the GI Travers card generated $54,309,929 — the third highest single-day handle in the history of the summer meet.
NYRA conducted 420 races at Saratoga this year, up from 412 in 2024. Weather conditions proved more favorable than last year, with 33 races moved off turf compared to 45 in 2024.
Irad Ortiz Jr. secured the leading rider title with 59 wins, despite missing closing day after being injured in Sunday’s GI Jockey Club Gold Cup spill. His brother Jose finished second with 55 wins, followed by Flavien Prat with 42.
This marks Ortiz Jr.’s fourth consecutive riding title at the primary Saratoga meets. He’s expected to return to competition Thursday at Kentucky Downs.
“It’s his ability, but also his mentality–he wants to win every race,” said Ortiz Jr.’s agent Steve Rushing. “He’s so competitive. He’s an all-around rider.”
“He’s had an amazing meet, for sure,” Rushing added. “You want to win any meet you’re competing in, but Saratoga is extra special.”
The trainer title ended in a tie between Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown, each with 32 winners. This represents Brown’s fifth consecutive training title and Pletcher’s first since 2020. Linda Rice finished third with 24 winners.
Pletcher secured two victories on Monday’s card, including the GI Hopeful Stakes with Ted Noffey (Into Mischief). Brown claimed one win in the final race of the day, creating the deadlock.
“I’m happy to salvage a tie with Todd and hat’s off to his team–they just had an outstanding meet,” Brown said. “I’m really proud of my team. The highlights of the meet were the Diana [won with Excellent Truth] and the Whitney [won by Sierra Leone]–particularly the Whitney. Here’s a race we’d never won before, and the Diana is a race that’s been so important to my career [record 10th win]. Winning those two races was really at the top of the list.”
Pletcher added, “A great finish to the meet, and I’m very proud of the whole team and all the work they’ve done. It’s great to see it pay off and the horses were running well. It was exciting to watch. Chad and his team do a great job and they’re tough to beat at any meet, especially this one.”
Repole Stable claimed the owners’ title with 14 wins — their first NYRA meeting title since tying with Michael Dubb at the 2021 Aqueduct winter meet. Owner Mike Repole last won the Saratoga owners’ title from 2010-12 and was New York’s leading owner in 2009.
“Winning at Saratoga is always special, but winning 14 races and having Mike win leading owner for the fourth time at such a prestigious meet is truly incredible,” said Danielle Bricker, assistant racing manager for Repole Stable. “None of this happens without a true team effort from Repole Stable; trainers, jockeys, backstretch workers, and all of the farms. Everyone plays such an important role. We’re so grateful for the fans who cheered our horses on every step of the way this meet. As Mike always says, ‘think big, dream bigger!'”
Repole Stable finished with a 61-14-11-8 record and $1,123,270 in earnings. Klaravich Stables placed second with 11 wins, while Flying P Stable took third with nine victories.
Sovereignty (Into Mischief) emerged as the unofficial horse of the meet, cementing his position atop the 3-year-old male division with wins in the GII Jim Dandy and the GI Travers. New Jersey-bred Book ’em Danno (Bucchero) earned honorable mention after winning three stakes at Saratoga this year, including the GIII True North Stakes during the Belmont Stakes-at-Saratoga meet in June, followed by the GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes and GI Forego Stakes during the primary Saratoga meet.
The meet ended on a somber note from a safety perspective. Black Silver (Slumber {GB}) was euthanized after pulling up in Saturday’s second race, marking the fifth equine racing fatality of the meet and the second of Labor Day weekend. Fellow first-time starter Catchy (Medaglia d’Oro) was also euthanized Friday after suffering an injury during her gallop out.
Live racing returns to New York on Thursday, Sept. 11 when the 32-day fall Belmont at Aqueduct meet begins. The schedule features 45 stakes worth $9.45 million in total purses, including four Grade I events and five Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifiers.
