Horse Racing Events Around The World

Horse racing is one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. There are major events in many different countries and below is a list of a few of the most famous horseracing events and where they are located.

The Kentucky Derby, United States

One of the most famous races in the world, the Kentucky Derby is a 2000-meter dirt surface race run at the Churchill Downs Complex in Louisville, Kentucky. It is one of the oldest major races in the United States and was inaugurated in 1875. It is held every May and is affectionately known as ‘The Run for the Roses’ as the winner is covered in roses after a victory. The race has a total prize purse of US$3,000,000 and was most recently won by Medina Spirit in 2021. 

The Melbourne Cup, Australia

The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest horseracing events in the world. The race was inaugurated in 1861 and, with a current total prize purse of $8,000,000AUD, it is one of the richest turf races in the world. The main race takes place at the Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November every year. It is a 3200-meter turf race and unlike horse racing in the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, it is a left-handed race. Many famous racehorses have competed at the Melbourne Cup including Archer, who won the first 2, Peter Pan (2), and Makybe Diva who has won the most with 3. The jockey with the most wins is a tie with 4 for both Bobbie Lewis (1900’s to 1920s) and Harry White in the 1970s.

The Japan Cup, Japan

One of the most prestigious horseraces in Japan, the Japan Cup is held every November at the Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo. It is a 2400 meter turf race and is one of the richest thoroughbred horse races in the world, with a current total prize purse of ¥ 624,000,000 (about US$5,200,000). It was first raced in 1981 and won by US racehorse Mairzy Doates, who also won the New York Handicap. Originally only horses trained in certain countries were allowed to enter the race which included Japan, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and India, but this was abolished in 1982.  

Since 2006, all winners and trainers have been Japanese with the latest winner being Contrail in 2021. 

The Gold Cup, England

One of the most major horse racing events on the British calendar is the Gold Cup, which is held at Ascot Racecourse in June each year. The Gold Cup was inaugurated in 1807 and is a 4014-meter turf race that has a total prize purse of £375,625 as of 2021. Master Jackey won the first race for a total cash prize of 100 guineas and it was attended by King George III and Queen Charlotte. There have been 22 multiple winners over the years with Irish thoroughbred Yeats winning it a record 4 times. The new trophy was given to the race organizers by the then-visiting Nicholas I of Russia in 1844. The cup was stolen in 1907 and never recovered but a replacement was made soon after.

Horseracing isn’t really claimed by any one country and as you can tell by the list above, it is a well-loved sport all around the world.