Live Horse Racing to Debut in Laramie County in 2025

Live horse racing is set to arrive in Laramie County next year, marking a significant development for Wyoming’s equine sports and local economy.

The Wyoming Gaming Commission has approved live racing at Thunder Plains Park, with an inaugural race day scheduled for Friday, August 1, 2025. The events will include race simulcasting and related activities.

Thunder Plains Park, located 10 miles east of Cheyenne off Interstate 80, will host the races. The preliminary schedule includes races on August 2-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31, and September 1, with dates subject to change per the Wyoming Gaming Commission.

The track itself is a mile long and 80 feet wide, a design intended to enhance safety for both horses and riders. According to Ryan Clement, managing partner at Thunder Plains, the track was developed in collaboration with Dennis Moore, a renowned track surface specialist, ensuring a high-quality and secure racing environment.

While construction of the permanent facilities continues, temporary structures will be in place, including horse barns, a racing officials’ tower, video patrol towers, and spectator areas.

Clement, a fifth-generation Wyoming resident, emphasized the potential positive impacts of the project, both on the state’s horse racing industry and on the local economy.

“Thunder Plains sees an incredible opportunity to create new job opportunities and boost tourism revenue,” he said.

Additionally, the racetrack will adhere to strict horse safety and welfare protocols, a key consideration in the planning and construction phases.

In a separate decision, the Wyoming Gaming Commission recently approved regulations to ban bettors guilty of harassing athletes from wagering on licensed sportsbooks. This move reflects a growing trend among states to protect athletes from abuse linked to sports betting.

Wyoming News Now and SBC Americas contributed to this report.