Submitting Data for 2025 National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas
The 26th National Horseplayers Championship kicks off this Friday at Horseshoe Las Vegas, running until Sunday, March 16th. Anticipated to shatter records, the annual horse betting contest has the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) estimating over 625 competitors.
On Thursday, the NTRA hosts a massive Last Chance/First Chance contest at Horseshoe Las Vegas for those last-minute qualifiers. With a whopping $4.5 million prize pool, the first-place prize will surpass last year's top prize of $800,000, nearing $825,000. Many contestants will have two entries due to qualifying, bumping the total to over 800 participants following Thursday's final entries.
A total of 13 past NHC champions will join competitors from 47 states and Canada in the quest for the top prize and the Eclipse Award as the 2025 Horseplayer of the Year.
FanDuel Racing and FanDuelTV will cover select races for the tournament, offering betting tools and tips for horse racing fans from start to finish. Fans can follow the mandatory races and additional tournament races, as well as the leaderboard, through the NTRA online, social media updates, FanDuel live racing coverage, and results.
NHC Format and Qualifying
Players make mythical $2 win and place wagers on optional and selected mandatory races from 7-8 U.S. tracks between Friday and Sunday: Aqueduct, Colonial Downs, Fair Grounds, Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Tampa Bay Downs, and Turfway Park. Players receive payouts based on the position of their chosen horse. The top 10% of contestants after two days of betting receive a share of the prize money (minimum $10,000) and proceed to compete for the top prize on Sunday, with the final table set prior.
Competitors and handicappers cannot purchase an entry to play in the NHC, which is sponsored by Caesars Race & Sportsbook, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and the Racetrack Television Network. Players must join the NTRA's NHC Tour and win a spot through a high finish in an NTRA-sanctioned contest.
Notable 2025 NHC Contestants and Qualifying Spots
Every year, dedicated bettors compete in qualifiers nationwide for a chance to secure a coveted spot at the National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. Similar to the World Series of Poker, the NHC stands as the pinnacle of horse gambling. While the excitement surrounding the NHC and its significance to horseplayers was captured in the Winner's Circle, premiering March 6th, it pales in comparison to the excitement of the main poker event at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas – the WSOP Main Event World Championship, with a gold bracelet and top prize over ten times the NHC winner's share.
With the 2025 NHC event scheduled just ahead of March Madness opening weekend, basketball enthusiasts in Vegas can explore the best sportsbooks in Las Vegas and attend various March Madness parties from March 20-23.
"The NHC is to Thoroughbred racing what the U.S. Open is to golf. Anyone can qualify and compete in the NHC for a life-changing score, an Eclipse Award, and the title of Horseplayer of the Year. It's the most competitive stage for horseplayers, where the best minds in the game test their skills under intense pressure,” said Tom Rooney, NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer. "Duality has captured the drama and excitement that make this tournament so special."
So get ready for an unforgettable experience at the NHC!
- The 2025 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) will take place at Horseshoe Las Vegas, running from March 13th to 16th, with the Derby and other races being part of the contest.
- During the NHC, competitors will be betting on horse racing, aiming to secure the first place prize which is estimated to reach $825,000, surpassing last year's top prize of $800,000.
- Notable contestants in the 2025 NHC include 13 past NHC champions, and the competition for the top prize, the Eclipse Award as the 2025 Horseplayer of the Year, is anticipated to be fierce, similar to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event World Championship.
