Get ready for two days of fast-paced Quarter Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track with the AQHA Challenge Trials Weekend, taking place Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26! These trials serve as qualifiers for some of the most competitive races of the season, featuring top two-year-olds, three-year-olds, and fillies & mares.
The action begins Friday, July 25, with the AQHA John Deere QH Juvenile Trials, featuring two-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 350 yards for a $4,000 purse. This is a proving ground for the sport’s next stars as they compete for a spot in the finals.
On Saturday, July 26, two more exciting trial races take center stage:
AQHA Adequan Derby Challenge QH Trials – Three-year-old Quarter Horses race 400 yards for a $4,000 purse, looking to secure a place in the Derby Challenge.
AQHA Distaff Challenge QH Trials – Fillies & mares (three years old & up) compete over 400 yards for a $4,000 purse, battling for a chance to advance to the prestigious Distaff Challenge finals.
These races are part of the 2025 racing season, running from May 23 through September 1, with Friday-Sunday race days and special holiday events on Memorial Day and Labor Day. Join us at Ruidoso Downs for an exciting weekend of high-caliber AQHA racing!
📅 Full 2025 Stakes Schedule: https://www.raceruidoso.com/info/all-american-ruidoso-downs-2025-stakes-schedule