Great Falls Turf Club Announce No Racing in 2026 for Fans

Fans of horse racing in Great Falls will need to travel if they want to watch the ponies run in 2026.  On Tuesday May 26, 2026, the Great Falls Turf Club announced that the scheduled season had been officially cancelled.

via GIPHY

Racing was slated for 3 weekends in July in the Electric City, with one of those a feature of the annual Montana State Fair.

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Great Falls Turf Club Announce No Racing in 2026 for Fans

In an official press release through social media, the Great Falls Turf Club said that "unexpected budget shortfalls" led to the difficult decision to cancel racing in 2026.  The club said they were "unable to cover the substantial operational expenses required to safely host the annual summer meet."

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According to Chad Swift, a spokesperson for the club, the decision wasn't an easy one; but a needed one, saying that "taking a financial step back right now ensures we can protect the longevity of the track".

Great Falls Turf Club Hoping to Secure Finances and Return in Future

The Turf Club said that despite the setback, they are committed to racing in Great Falls and are focusing on a strong comeback.  The club will spend the next year "restructuring their finances with the definitive goal of reestablishing racing in Great Falls."

Swift added that "we are deeply grateful for our horsemen, jockeys, local businesses and loyal fans.  We are focused on building a sustainable financial foundation so we can welcome everyone back to the grandstands soon."  The club is now searching for new partnerships, sponsorships and community donations to secure racing for the future in Great Falls.