AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—JULY 30, 2019—For the first time in its history, the Bank of America Challenge Championships will call The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home for the next two years.

Last year, AQHA announced The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will host the 2019 Bank of America Challenge Championships scheduled for October 26. AQHA and The Downs Racetrack & Casino have recently signed an agreement for the racetrack to also host the Bank of America Challenge Championships in 2020.

This will be only the third time in 28 editions of the Challenge Championships that the event will be held in the Land of Enchantment. While there are several racetracks that have hosted the event multiple times, this is the first time for consecutive years of hosting.

In addition to the Challenge Championships, the event will include an AQHA Racing Workshop and Racing Committee Meeting, as well as other events.

“We commend the people behind The Downs at Albuquerque on their deep commitment to the sport of American Quarter Horse racing,” said AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber. “They have undertaken a significant task in renovating this historic racetrack, supporting integrity measures and making the Challenge Championships a truly special event.

“If you've not been to Albuquerque, it is a wonderful holiday destination, and The Downs is a great racetrack to enjoy, as it showcases one of the greatest nights in sport,” she added.

The Bank of America Challenge Championships is the year-end culmination of the Challenge program, which was conceived by AQHA in the early 1990s to give top-flight Quarter Horses additional racing opportunities. Regional races held around the world, including South America and Canada, during the year give horses qualifying berths to the Challenge Championships, which annually brings together those top horses for a single night of racing.

The date for 2020's event will be announced at a later time at aqha.com/racing.

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AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit aqha.com/racing.