By successful the final race of the ultimate desk, Dylan Donnelly of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., captured the twenty seventh NTRA Nationwide Horse Gamers Championship offered by Caesars Race & Sportsbook, Horseshoe Las Vegas and Racetrack Tv Community (RTN). The dramatic win on the Horseshoe Occasion Heart earned Donnelly the primary prize of $825,000, the Eclipse Award as Horse Participant of the 12 months and a return journey to the NHC subsequent 12 months.
Donnelly overcame three days of intense competitors from March thirteenth to fifteenth to amass a legendary bankroll of $342.84, successful towards a few of America’s prime horse racers. Frank Polk of Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, took second place with $342.00, and Tommy Lemberg of Sparks, Nevada, took third place with $334.94. Richard Sugimoto of Huge Bear Metropolis, California, who leads the championship heading into the obligatory seven races of the ultimate desk, completed fourth with $324.08, adopted by Tammy Johns of Meridian, Idaho, in fifth place with $302.56. Defending NHC Champion Dan Piazza of Chicago, Illinois, completed sixth with $290.98, marking the very best end by a defending champion since Chris Littlemore completed seventh in his 2019 title protection.
Donnelly, in fourth place going into the ultimate race, earned $37.80 when Loopy Cavalier received the fifth race at Santa Anita by one size over None Above the Regulation. Polk earned a spot within the semi-final match for $12, however was nonetheless 84 cents in need of a tie with Donnelly. Polk briefly took the lead when Jayhawk received the tenth race at Gulfstream with two races remaining.
Lemberg led the ultimate desk heading into the ultimate race, successful the ninth race at Oak Garden by Chupapi Munyao for $13.20.
“The folks in first, second and third have been most likely betting on decrease priced horses so I assumed fourth (place going into the ultimate race) was in a very good place,” Donnelly stated. “However Frank Polk took six (No Above the Regulation) and I used to be sweating the dividends. I assumed one (Kokosan) can be powerful, however with the tempo, 4 (Loopy Cavalier) can be the very best nearer. He did nicely.”
The 2026 NHC began with 828 entries from 651 athletes on Friday morning, dropping to 83 entries after Saturday. Bankrolls collected on Day 1, Day 2, and the Semi-Finals have been carried over to the ultimate desk, the place 10 finalists decided their NHC scores in seven races designated as “must-have.”
“Congratulations to Dylan Donnelly for successful the twenty seventh match.”th “NHC received the photograph end. He proved why our sport is without doubt one of the most dramatic within the nation and that consistency and onerous work repay,” stated NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. Congratulations to all remaining desk individuals and NHC individuals. Qualifying for the NHC is a testomony to their handicapping expertise. ”
Listed here are the official 2026 NHC High 10 winners and their prize cash.
- Dylan Donnelly, $825,000 ($342.84)
- Frank Polk, $300,000 ($342.00)
- Tommy Lemberg, $200,000 ($334.94)
- Richard Sugimoto, $150,000 ($324.08)
- Tammy Johns, $125,000 ($302.56)
- Dan Piazza, $100,000 ($290.98)
- GT Nixon, $90,000 ($287.72)
- Kenneth Jordan, $85,000 ($287.34)
- Roger McDow, $80,000 ($284.20)
- Terrence Frank, $75,000 ($283.22)
The full amount of money and prizes awarded over the three days was $5,229,000, with over $3,238,000 in money alone. Event outcomes could be discovered on NTRA.com.
The 2026 NHC’s match format was meant to be the very best take a look at to select a winner. Gamers sought to earn the best potential bankroll based mostly on the legendary $2 win/place wager. Allotted “required” races (6 races on day 1, 8 races on day 2, 7 races for remaining desk) have been introduced a minimum of 24 hours upfront of every contest date.
Moreover, the Silver Sunday Contest was open to all people taking part within the match with no entry charge. John Tipton of Novato, Calif., took first place with $142.14 in 17 races. He received $25,000 and certified for the 2027 NHC.
The NHC weekend concluded with the annual Champions Dinner, which featured prize giving and the introduction of 12 athletes.th NHC Corridor of Fame Class: Mike Ferrozzo, Chris Littlemore, Kevin Engelhard, Ken Seaman.
Along with its three sponsors: Caesars Race & Sportsbook, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Racetrack Tv Community, NHC is supported by official companions America’s Greatest Racing, Brisnet, Each day Racing Kind, Equibase, Equinedge, Morningline.io, Race Lens, TwinSpires, and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
To join the 2026 NHC Tour and qualify for subsequent 12 months’s NHC, go to www.ntra.com/membership.
