Home » SPORTS TOURISM » Sam Houston Race Park Announces Full 2026 Racing Season Schedule with Top Stakes Events: All You Need To Know Published on
October 11, 2025Sam Houston Race Park is preparing to launch another live racing season for 2026 as it opens its doors for the thirty-second time on Friday, January 2, 2026, with twenty-one exciting stakes races worth a total of two million USD. The racing season will run from January 2, 2026, through April 4, 2026, as it once again puts together an exciting mix of highly competitive races, most notably several major events that have been developed to attract tourists to Houston for both local tourism and sports tourism. The 2026 schedule is full of exciting racing events, family-friendly activities and an exciting selection of Texas-bred races that will appeal to visitors of all ages and interests.Key Events in the 2026 Racing SeasonOne of the most anticipated events of the year is the Houston Racing Festival, set for Saturday, January 24, with a 1:00 pm first post. This festival will feature five stakes races, including the prestigious 300,000 USD Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the 200,000 USD John B. Connally Turf Stakes. The festival will also include the 100,000 USD Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, 75,000 USD Bara Lass Stakes, and the 75,000 USD Groovy Stakes. These top-tier races will attract spectators and participants from across the country, offering a vibrant day of racing and entertainment.Advertisement The season will also feature Texas Preview Day on Saturday, February 14, showcasing five stakes races for Texas-breds, including the 75,000 USD Jim’s Orbit Stakes and 75,000 USD Two Altazano Stakes. The event serves as an important warm-up for Texas Champions Day, set for Saturday, March 21, featuring seven stakes races, including the 102,000 USD TTA Derby and the 75,000 USD Yellow Rose Stakes.Texas-Bred Racing: Celebrating Local TalentSupporting Texas-bred racing continues to be a cornerstone of Sam Houston Race Park’s mission. Two major stakes on opening weekend, the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter Stakes and the $75,000 My Dandy Stakes, will kick off the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series for 3-year-olds. These races set the stage for a season of Texas-bred talent, showcasing the best local horses and adding a unique element to the racing calendar.Family-Friendly Events and Enhanced Guest ExperiencesBeyond the thrilling races, Sam Hou …
