The thunder of hooves on the tracks, the roaring crowd and the thrill of victory. Horse racing stirs something primal in many of us, calling us to gather trackside and witness the speed and power of these equine athletes.
From the small country tracks to the grand stadiums, horse racing events continue to draw massive interest and attendance. According to estimates, 584 million households worldwide participate in horse racing, including about 14 million individuals from the UK.
Whether watching from the screens or cheering your favourite runners on the tracks, here are some of the most popular horse racing events you shouldn’t miss.
The Grand National: Ultimate test of stamina
Horse racing is deeply ingrained in the British culture. Even members of the Royal family are avid supporters of horse riding. Unsurprisingly, Great Britain’s premier jumping race, the Grand National, presents the ultimate test of stamina and courage.
Contested on a Saturday in early April, runners are expected to endure four miles and three and a half furlongs of Aintree Racecourse obstacle course – with 30 towering fences to be traversed twice. A total prize pot of GBP£1 million is at stake for this yearly event.
The race captivates worldwide audiences via television and internet streaming coverage. In 2021, emotions overflowed when Rachael Blackmore made history as the first female jockey to pilot Minella Times into the winner’s enclosure.
Golden Slipper Stakes: Australia’s richest race for two-year-olds
Hopping over to Australia, another high-profile horse racing event takes centre stage in March – the prestigious Golden Slipper Stakes. First run in 1957 at Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, the Golden Slipper race rapidly became the world’s richest Thoroughbred race for two-year-olds.
This contest pays AUD$5 million (roughly GBP£2.58 million) and is integral to the country’s Autumn Carnival. This race runs over 6 furlongs (1,200 metres) and showcases the top young talents across Australia and New Zealand.
Melbourne Cup: Australia’s famed two-miler
Australia is also the scene for the Melbourne Cup, one of the world’s most recognisable horse races. First staged in 1861, the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’ generates fervent betting interest in Melbourne Cup lottery-style sweeps.
Contested over the unique distance of two miles at Flemington Racecourse, the atmosphere resounds with a festival spirit. It’s the highlight of the Spring Racing Carnival. The Cup is held during the first week of November. Most recently, seven-year-old gelding Without A Fight lit up the track to capture the crown.
If you’re curious when your most-liked runners or horse racing events are on the tracks, check this Group 1 racing calendar for updated information. This list contains the most recent information about the featured races, the tracks and event dates so you can prepare thoroughly.
The Triple Crown Races: American Thoroughbred excellence
In the United States, the Triple Crown races represent the pinnacle of Thoroughbred racing. It consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, attracting worldwide attention. Top three-year-old Thoroughbreds aim to claim the prestigious title awarded to any horse that can win all three events.
The mile-and-a-quarter Kentucky Derby kicks things off on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where around 150,000 spectators fill the grandstand. Three weeks later, the Preakness unfolds at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, followed by the mile-and-a-half marathon at Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York, another three weeks later.
Dubai World Cup: Richest single day in racing
Crossing the globe to the United Arab Emirates brings us to Dubai World Cup night, when top horses gather to compete for a purse-topping USD$30 million (GBP£23.68 million). Held annually at the stunning Meydan Racecourse, the Dubai World Cup has steadily built prestige since its inception in 1996.
The racecard features multiple contests, but all eyes remain fixed on the richest: the USD$12 million (GBP£9.47 million) Dubai World Cup finale. Under the floodlights in the desert night, the world’s best battle to etch their name onto the epic trophy and take their share of the monumental prize pool.
Japan Cup: Asia’s richest race
As a relative newcomer on the world racing stage, the Japan Cup has rapidly ascended in international prestige since its inauguration in 1981. Held annually on the last Sunday of November at Tokyo Racecourse, this Group 1 race expands 12 furlongs (2,400 metres). It regularly attracts champions from Europe, North and South America, Australia and other Asian racing powerhouses. Along with showcasing Japan’s own rising Thoroughbred talents against world-class competition, the race aims to foster international goodwill through the sport of kings.
Boosted by revenue from wagering on horse racing, the Japan Cup offered a total purse prize of over JPY¥1 billion (GBP£6.8 million) in 2023, making it the richest turf race contested in Asia. Last year, French Christophe Lemaire steered four-year-old Equinox to triumph.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Europe’s premier equestrian spectacle
Turning towards continental Europe, France hosts one of Group 1 flat racing’s most esteemed events, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, every October. Inaugurated in 1920 amidst the post-World War I rebuilding, the Arc quickly assumed an elevated status in part through its sponsorship by the country’s railway and sports lottery organisations. The mile-and-a-half race on the grass at Paris Longchamp Racecourse closes Europe’s prestigious autumn racing season.
This internationally broadcasted horse racing event witnessed Irish Thoroughbred Ace Impact win over its competitors in 2023. UK-trained Alphinista and German Thoroughbred Torquator Tasso are among the recent outstanding winners of the ‘Arc.’
Concluding thoughts
From historic races to relative newcomers, horse racing’s major events continue to capture imaginations worldwide. Fans revel in exhilarating displays of equine athleticism and the embrace of tradition.
From posh lawns to dirt tracks or amid Tokyo’s flashing lights, horse racing’s magic endures to bring the world together through stirring competition in its purest form. For a shining moment, victory on racing’s grandest stages grants a champion and their connections lifelong glory – their triumphs shared by horse lovers worldwide.
