GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The Great Falls Turf Club announced the 2026 Great Falls Horse Race season at Montana ExpoPark has been canceled after budget shortfalls left the nonprofit unable to cover operating costs.
The club said the season had been planned for three straight weekends in July. It said the choice came after it could not meet the expenses needed to host the annual summer races safely.
Club leaders said they now plan to spend the next year restructuring finances with the goal of bringing racing back to Great Falls.
"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," said Chad Swift. "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 Great Falls Turf Club said it is looking for partnerships, sponsorships and community donations to help secure the future of summer racing in Great Falls. People who want to help with future races or fundraising efforts can contact the club directly through the Great Falls Turf Club website
The organization said it is a nonprofit focused on preserving live horse racing in Cascade County and putting on summer race meets tied to local agriculture, tourism and community entertainment.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
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Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.