The Annual Zia Championship Awards Banquet and Zia Weekend of Racing is set for July 19-20.

© Ruidoso Downs

by Leann Noguera/StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO, NM–APRIL 25, 2025–The New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association announced that the 2025 Zia Festival and awards banquet will be held on July 19-20 at Ruidoso Downs.

The Zia Festival is one of the biggest racing weekends of the season, held at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. The two-day event showcases New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses running in high-stakes races with combined purse totals of over $700,000.

Racing festivities kick off on Saturday, July 19, with two graded stakes races for three-year-old New Mexico breds; the $175,000-est. Zia QH Derby [RG2] and the $50,000 guaranteed Zia Stakes [RG2].

The 2024 Annual Zia Championship Awards Banquet will start Saturday evening after the races, with dinner at the Turf Club and an Awards Ceremony to follow. To RSVP, call the NMHBA office at 505-262-0224 or email nmhba@nmhorsebreeders.com and let them know how many people you would like to bring.

On Sunday, July 20, the racing fun continues with the $375,000-est Zia QH Futurity [RG1] and the $50,000 guaranteed Zia 870 Championship. The weekend closes out with the $50,000 Zia QH Juvenile.

Visit www.raceruidoso.com for more information and the stakes schedule for the 2025 meet.

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