Burro Racing Takes Over New Mexico | Albuquerque News

Burro racing is back—and bigger than ever—in New Mexico, with Ruidoso’s first-ever race drawing wild crowds and proving this gold rush-era sport is a booming tourist magnet. Born in Colorado in 1949, pack burro racing officially landed in NM in 2020 and has exploded, now featuring races across Cerrillos, Magdalena, Silver City, and Ruidoso—with teams capped at 90 this year after starting with just 30. Spectators flood the starting line for the chaotic, nostalgic spectacle of 90 burros thundering off together, all while racers carry authentic gear like pickaxes and gold pans to honor the mining roots. Beyond the fun, these events are economic lifelines for small towns, acting as mini Balloon Fiesta extravaganzas that pump cash into local businesses. Want to join? Practice races happen every Saturday in Cedar Crest, where you can find a burro, learn the ropes, and prep for the season finale on September 12th in Silver City. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/46f83727fea08ad8