April 2024

2024 National Horseplayers Championship

A recap on the 25th celebration of horseplayers from around the globe

The world’s richest and most prestigious handicapping contest, the National Horseplayers Championship, has been taking Las Vegas by storm over the past 25 years. For this year’s NHC, it would be a St. Patrick’s Day like no other as more than 1,000 individuals descended on the Horseshoe Las Vegas to either attempt to win their way in to the 25th NHC or play in a seat they’d already won. Prior to this year, in the event’s 24 year history, nearly 4,000 people have filled more than 10,000 NHC entries and have been awarded nearly $50,000,000 in cash prizes.

Presented by Caesars Entertainment, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Racetrack Television Network (RTN) the 25th NHC kicked off on Thursday with the annual NHC-eve Last Chance First Chance contest. By the end of the day, the contest had seen a record 884 entries (a 17% increase over 2023). Chris Inman of Houston, Texas won his second seat into the 25th NHC and took home the grand prize of $23,840 and 30 additional 2024 seats were awarded to the weekend contest.

Chris Inman, a 5th and 7th grade math teacher, finished on top of the field with a bankroll of $159.00. Inman joined the NHC with his dad and uncle and said, “it’s great to have them here. We don’t golf, we don’t really fish – so this is our thing, we’re horseplayers.” His fourth time at the NHC, Inman said his favorite part about the event is the camaraderie.

The top ten finishers in Thursday’s Last Chance contest shared in the cash prize pool equal to 30% of entry fees, with the balance of entry fees going to the NHC prize pool. Total cash prizes awarded were $132,600. Double Qualifiers who competed in the Last Chance First Chance contest were awarded 9 entries into NHC2025.

Friday morning kicked off the official contest with participants playing 6 mandatory races and 10 optional race from a list of eligible tracks throughout the day. By the conclusion of Day One, TJ Sonde of Manasquan, New Jersey led the field of 765 entries with a bankroll of $164.90. The 64-year-old retired accountant was playing in his first NHC, and when asked about his strategy for the first day said, “I just went for the horses I liked. My expectation was just to try not to embarrass myself and I can’t believe I’m here.”

In addition to bragging rights, Sonde took home a Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) entry valued at $10,000 for finishing at the top of the field. Second place finisher from Memphis, Tennessee was Marshall Gramm, the former 2020 BCBC Champion who wrapped up the day with a bankroll of $164.20 and took home a cash prize of $5,000. Third place finisher Ramon Calzadias ended the day with a bankroll of $143.60 and took home a cash prize of $2,500.

The action kicked back off at the Horseshoe Event Center Saturday morning in Las Vegas with 8 mandatory and 12 optional races. By the end of Day Two, Seth Morris from Long Island, New York had taken the lead with a bankroll of $269.38. When asked what finishing at the top of the field after day two meant to him, Morris said, “This is a dream to be in the front of the NHC. Last week was a dream too when I bought the most expensive horse I’ve ever purchased and got someone to believe in my bloodstock capabilities. This is all a dream.”

The NHC field was reduced to the top 10 percent of players (77 entries) after Saturday. Morris went into Sunday’s semi-final round with a lead of $25.48. Added this year was the Silver Sunday Contest. All NHC 2024 participants were able to compete throughout the day for a total of $100,000 in cash prizes and five NHC seats. David Harrison, NHC 2022 Champion, topped the field and took home $25,000 and will be competing to be the first repeat NHC Champion.

Sunday morning the contest continued to heat up and the top 10 continued to fluctuate. By midday at the conclusion of the semi-final round, the Final Table was announced with Seth Morris still maintaining his lead. The final table mandatory races then began at 1:08pm and ran through 3:02pm.

In the end, like every year, there could be only one winner and that was Mike Gillum, from Indianapolis, Indiana. Gillum, a produce company operator, took home the $800,000 cash grand prize and the Eclipse Award as Horseplayer of the Year. After finishing day one in 5th place, Gillum found himself in the 81st spot with two races to go on day two. He jumped over a few people to qualify into the Semi-final round in 64th place, barely inside the 10 percent cut line.

When asked about his strategy going into the final day, Gillum said, “My picks did not change since 6am this morning, I played exactly what I would have played regardless of which place I was in. I got lucky, it was just my day today.”

Racing has always been something Gillum enjoyed, and he says reading the Daily Racing Form every day helps him keep sharp. “It’s a passion of mine and has been for 20, 30 years. This is just the best.” In only his second trip to the NHC, Gillum is the 25th individual to take home the grand prize in the 25-year history of the world’s most prestigious handicapping contest. When asked what this means to him, Gillum said, “I am just thinking about my family at home watching, I’m just so excited and happy. Truly I’m at a loss for words.”

With Gillum’s victory, another NHC came to a close. This year’s event was one of the largest ever hosted, and it continues to gain more enthusiasm and momentum. Relive the excitement of NHC 2024 through the photos (available to all for free download) and videos. We hope to see you at NHC2025!

Qualifiers for NHC2025 have already begun!

Through March 30, there are 64 Qualifiers to NHC2025 including seven double qualifiers.

Matthew Ache

Bill Shurman

Michael Mulvihill

Brett Wiener

First of Three Free Online NHC Qualifiers Set for April 21, 2024

The first of three free NHC Tour Member online qualifiers in 2024 for the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) is set for Sunday April 21

on Horseplayers.com, the official online qualifying site of the NHC. The top four finishers in the contest will earn automatic berths to the 26th Annual NHC, which is slated to be held at the Horseshoe Las Vegas next March 14-16, 2025.

The two remaining 2024 NHC Tour free online contests will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 and Sunday, September 15, 2024. Participants in the online qualifier must be a 2024 NHC Tour member to be eligible to win a qualifying spot to the NHC. Players failing to register for NHC Tour membership prior to the start of this event will forfeit their opportunity to win a qualifying package.

To sign up for the NHC Tour, go to www.ntra.com/membership. Individuals also must be registered at HorsePlayers.com (free).

April NHC Qualifiers

Subject to Change

Horseplayers.com

  • April 5 | $125 – SPECIAL Keeneland Opening Day Contest – 5 seats guaranteed.
  • April 6 | $165 – 2 seats guaranteed.
  • April 12 | $75 – 2 seats guaranteed.
  • April 13 | $500 – 1 seat guaranteed.
  • April 14 | $165 – 2 seats guaranteed.
  • April 18 | $125 – 1 seat guaranteed.
  • April 19 | $75 – 2 seats guaranteed.
  • April 21 | NHC Tour Member Free Contest – 4 seats guaranteed.
  • April 26 | $75 – 2 seats guaranteed.
  • April 28 | $165 – 2 seats guaranteed.

Hawthorne/Xpressbet

  • April 21 │Illinois Derby Contest – 2 seats guaranteed. HYBRID

Horsetourneys.com

  • April 7 | $165 – 2 seats guaranteed.
  • April 13 | $165 –