Horse racing is canceled for the summer at Montana Expo Park.
The Great Falls Turf Club has canceled the 2026 summer races for financial reasons, but intends to resume next summer.
Horse races were scheduled to run across three consecutive weekends in July at Montana Expo Park, before and during the Montana State Fair.
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The club is facing “unexpected budget shortfalls” that left it unable to cover the “substantial operational expenses” required to host the annual event.
The Great Falls Turf Club has hosted the annual event since 2013, after a hiatus of several years.
The club has new leadership and is planning to take the upcoming year to restructure its finances with “the definitive goal of reestablishing the racing in Great Falls,” according to the club.
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“It is a tough decision to halt racing this year, but taking a financial step back right now ensures we can protect the longevity of the track,” Chad Swift, club president, said in a release. “We are deeply grateful to 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 non-profit club is seeking partnerships, sponsorships and community donations to secure the
future of Montana summer racing.
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The club is “dedicated to preserving and promoting the historic tradition of live horse racing in Cascade County.”
The club did not have a contract with Cascade County for the use of Expo Park this summer, according to the county.
The club went before the Montana Board of Horse Racing on May 22 to request the cancellation of the 2026 season, which was approved, according to Swift.
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In a May 6 letter to the board, which is a component of the Montana Department of Commerce, Swift wrote that the club was requesting a meeting with the board to discuss the club’s decision to cancel the 2026 season.
“This was not a decision taken lightly. Due to outstanding debts incurred during the 2025 fiscal year, the board determined that cancelling the event was the best path to ensure the fiscal integrity of Great Falls horse racing moving forward,” Swift wrote in his May 6 letter.
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The club also requested $60,000 to pay off outstanding debts, unrealized debts, and ongoing expenses for 2026-2027. The outstanding 2025 debts totaled $54,171.63, according to Swift’s letter.
Funds not spent by July 1, 2027 will be returned to the Montana Board of Horse Racing, according to Swift’s letter to the board.
Swift said he had to leave the meeting before board voted on the funding request and didn’t know if it had been approved.
The audio and minutes of the May 22 horse board meeting are not yet available. The Electric has contacted the board and Montana Department of Commerce for further information.
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During a May 26 meeting between the Cascade County Commission and Les Payne, county public works director, they discussed damage to the pony barn roof near the racing area.
Commissioner Joe Briggs said they needed to look at the stability of the barn before putting on a new roof.
He said they needed to consider the broader use of Expo Park if horse racing’s future in Great Falls wasn’t guaranteed.
Briggs said commissioners had tasked Susan Shannon, Expo Park manager, with looking at how many barn buildings are needed for other livestock events, such as rodeo, and where they’re best located to potentially open up commercial space.
If usage of the track were to cease, Briggs said they’d discuss how to make good use of the 133 acres that have been locked in position because of the track.
He said they could be making better use of the grandstands for outdoor concerts, which had been previously considered, and look at getting a trailer stage for use at the facility.
“It just opens up a lot of possibilities,” he said. “I view this as an opportunity,” if horse racing doesn’t return to the fairgrounds.
