The 10 Best Horse Races In The World
Horse racing has been a thrilling spectator activity for centuries, and its appeal has only risen over time as more and more people connect with the excitement and entertainment that it brings. If you are a horse racing enthusiast, it’s fair to assume that you want to know which races are the most well-known throughout the globe. Stick right here, but first, a few words about why these events are so popular.
Many people go to see these famous horse races every year because of their long traditions. Not only do they include the world’s finest racehorses, but they are also prestigious and glamorous social events. Because of the prestige of these events and the staggering sums of money up for grabs, bets are placed on them from all corners of the world.
Betting online is a favorite pastime for millions of people. Casino gaming is huge right now, and Slot Source has added more online slot sites for players to enjoy if they fancy a few spins of the reels, but horse racing is the one betting market that remains the most active. Online and offline, you can bet on all the top races, and we have a roundup of the top 10 races for you:
10 – The Cheltenham Festival
Irish and British national pride collide at the annual Cheltenham Festival event. When it comes to National Hunt racing, nothing compares to the prestige of the Cheltenham Festival. Thousands of spectators and millions of viewers across the world put their money on these hotly contested races.
9 – The Melbourne Cup
Since its inception in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has caused a nationwide halt in Australia. Billed as the event that brings the nation to a stop and considered the most respected 2-mile handicap race worldwide, people flock to this race from all around the globe hoping to gain a few more notes and coins in their back pockets.
8 – The Dubai World Cup
One of the most recent races to arrive on our list, the Dubai World Cup didn’t begin until 1996. Each year, the United Arab Emirates plays host to the Dubai World Cup. A dedicated fan base has been quickly amassing for this horse race. The Dubai World Cup, a major horse racing event, is all about the style as well as the magnificent horses.
7 – The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The first Saturday in October is when this legendary horse race takes place in Paris, France. It is consistently ranked as one of the top races in Europe. The French troops of World War I inspired the race’s name. Participants come from all around the world to take part in the Prix. The prize money for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is among the largest in sports at $10 million plus.
6 – The Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup is an annual purebred horse race that moves across the country. Not including the famous dirt mile, all of the Breeders’ Cup’s 14 events allow for up to 14 starters. Over the course of two days, the Breeders’ Cup typically awards over $30 million in prize money—a staggering amount!
5 – The Belmont Stakes
In June each year, Belmont Park, New York, hosts the massive Belmont Stakes races. The last in the Triple Crown events is known worldwide for its competitive edge. The park has been packed with spectators for the horse race for the past 140+ years. Belmont Park is unique among American racetracks because admission charges have not been artificially increased. The third and final stage of the Triple Crown has the potential to be a lucrative financial windfall, but the entry fee stays the same, keeping this race accessible to everybody.
4 – The Grand National
Aintree, an English town close to Liverpool, is the site of the Grand National. As hard as you may try, you can’t compare the Grand National to any other race. The National Hunt horse race is two miles long, and it features thirty obstacles that the horses must clear before reaching the finish line. Fans are left in awe by the extraordinary athleticism displayed by these exceptional racehorses as they endure a challenging test of their determination. This race is open to amateur jockeys and trainers.
3 – The Preakness
Pimlico, a racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland, is the annual site of the Preakness. On the third weekend of May, the popular horse race is held. The Preakness is a community celebration. If you’re a fan of American horse racing, you’re probably counting down the days until this year’s second stage of the Triple Crown. Every fan instantly roots for the horse that wins the Kentucky Derby in the hopes that he or she can repeat that success and get nearer to the Triple Crown glory.
2 – The Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is known as the English equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, and it’s the second most important event in the UK. The Royal Ascot is an opportunity for the affluent to show off their best horses. Attendees are expected to adhere to a strict dress code, and there are 24 individual competitions spread out across the race’s four days. The Royal Ascot is around 6-7 miles from Windsor Castle; hence it has strong ties to the British royal family.
1 – Kentucky Derby
Our ranking of the best horse races worldwide concludes with the Kentucky Derby at number one. Every year in May, Louisville, Kentucky, hosts the world-famous Kentucky Derby. When the Derby rolls around, horse racing fans everywhere know that it’s time to kick off the Triple Crown. This race attracts famous and influential people since it has the ability to make a lot of money for the owners and gives them the opportunity to parade their horses shortly after training season. The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious horse race in the world, and its fame has spread throughout the globe from its humble beginnings at Churchill Downs.
As far as horse racing is concerned, Happy Valley Racecourse is one of two popular facilities operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the other being Sha Tin Racecourse. Originally built by the British military, on an area of previously uninhabitable wetland in the Wan Chai District, in the north of Hong Kong island, Happy Valley Racecourse staged its first fixtures in December 1846. The name ‘Happy Valley’ is euphemistic, probably derived from the presence of a cemetery and/or the high rate of malaria in early Hong Kong.
Inaugurated in 1927, the Champion Hurdle is, of course, the two-mile hurdling championship and is run annually on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March. In recent years, five-year-old winners of the Champion Hurdle have been few and far between. In fact, the last of them was Espoir D’Allen in 2019 but, before that, Katchit in 2008 – who also had the distinction of being the first Triumph Hurdle winner since Kribensis, in 1990, to win the Champion Hurdle – was the only five-year-old winner since See You Then in 1985.
In recent years, ‘Duel on the Downs’ has become a catchphrase associated with the Sussex Stakes, a Group 1 contest run over a mile at Goodwood in late July or early August. Worth £1 million in prize money, the Sussex Stakes is the feature race in day two of the five-day Qatar Goodwood Festival, colloquially known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’.