For the first time in 17 years, Thoroughbred racing will be held at Sam Houston Race Park in the month of December, as the season will kick off on Friday, Decemner 18, 2026. Racing will be conducted two days per week through December and January, on Friday and Saturday nights, before Thursday racing is added in February.
Closing day of the Thoroughbred season will be Saturday, April 3 before Quarter Horse season begins on Thursday, April 15 and runs through Saturday, June 12.
"We are excited to open early and add new promotions for our fans in December," Sam Houston Race Park Vice President and General Manager Bryan Pettigrew said. "The opportunity to extend our season will help us to continue to build our growing local fan base."
The Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Futurities will be held at Sam Houston Race Park—which is a first for the Houston racetrack. The $150,000 TTA Sales Futurity for colts and geldings, as well as the partnering race for fillies will be conducted on Saturday, December 26 at six furlongs. Both races are open to TTA Sales graduates of the 2026 two year-old-in-training sale and the 2025 yearling sale.
"Working with Sam Houston over the past few years has been a pleasure, and our Board is committed to making our Futurities beneficial for Texas breeders and owners" said Tracy Sheffield, Executive Director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. "We have seen more interest in our Yearling and Two-Year-Old in Training Sale over the past couple of years and believe both these races will begin to attract better horses in the future."
Racing will be conducted at 6:30 PM on most race days throughout the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse seasons. There are 41 Thoroughbred programs scheduled and 26 Quarter Horse dates for the respective meets.
"As evidenced by the new racing calendar, Sam Houston Race Park remains committed to continuing to build our Thoroughbred program," Pettigrew said. "We will have ample opportunities to do so in an extended season.
Opening weekend will feature "Christmas at the Races" promotions and Dollar Day will return to SHRP on December 26, along with a t-shirt giveaway scheduled for a special Sunday afternoon program on December 27. Racing will be conducted on Friday, January 1, 2027 with a calendar magnet giveaway.
Other promotions scheduled for the season include wiener dog racing on Saturday, February 6, the ever popular Camel, Ostrich and Zebra racing on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 and Horsepower & Brews on Saturday, March 13.
The Houston Racing Festival will be conducted on Sunday, January 24, 2027 with a special 1:00 post time and is once again headlined by the Grade III Houston Ladies Classic. Texas Preview Weekend will take place on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13 and Texas Champions Weekend will be held on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20.
Stakes purses will total over $2,000,000 for thoroughbreds and $80,000 for Arabians. A complete schedule will be released in the coming weeks. Stall apps are available through the interactive racing office account and online at SHRP.com. They are due Friday, October 16.
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