Horse racing is a worldwide phenomenon, with millions of viewers tuning into several races across the year. Events around the world are held with some of the most talented horses and jockeys going head to head to win some of the most prestigious accolades that will cement their names into the history of the sport. Not only that, but the experience of visiting a racecourse and getting involved in the immense atmosphere is a selling point for people to travel the world, becoming a bucket list activity for many.
With that being said, the home of Lottomart casino slots will be taking a look at the biggest events in the horse racing calendar.
Kentucky Derby
A tradition for over 150 years, the Kentucky Derby is an extremely prestigious event to take part in and one of the most anticipated in the horse racing calendar. The event takes place on the first Saturday of May at the glamorous Churchill Downs Racecourse in Kentucky. The site, full of history and prestige, is a dream for any horse racing fan to visit, with the Kentucky Derby being the number one race that it hosts. The dirt race was established in 1875, taking on a 1 ¼ mile track with a $3 million prize pool as of 2025. It’s often regarded as the most intense 2 minutes in sports, attracting horse racing fans around the world as well as celebrities to the track each year.
The Grand National
The Grand National is by far the biggest race in the UK, spreading to enthusiasts around the world. The intense racing action, coupled with historic values and an atmosphere like no other, is exactly why fans are drawn to Aintree each year. Located in Liverpool, Aintree racecourse is packed each year to witness some incredible racing, with The Grand National being at the centre stage. The 4 mile turf surface consists of 30 fences and was established way back in 1839, making it one of the most historic races in the history of the sport. It is the most famous steeplechase in the world, building a reputation for being incredibly difficult. Over 500 million people view the race each year from around the world, building the levels of prestige.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Regarded as Europe’s premier flat race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place on the first Sunday in October, inviting the most elite over 3 year old horses to compete for a prize pot of $5.4 million. It’s often compared to the Kentucky Derby as a result of its prestige when it comes to flat racing. It was first established in 1920 and has recently undergone various redevelopments to provide a more modern racing experience while still maintaining the intense atmosphere of the crowd. It’s a significant race in the horse racing calendar for all horse racing fans, being treated as one of the most prestigious races in Europe.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup brings a stop to the entirety of Melbourne each year, with the date of the event being treated as a public holiday. The race takes place on the first Tuesday in November, stretching 2 miles and offering an available prize pot of $8.4 million AUD. It is a globally watched event that is televised each year from Flemington Racecourse, attracting jockeys from around the world since it was established in 1861. The prestige of this event brings in talent from around the world, with many European jockeys and horses targeting the event. It’s one of the few big races in that part of the world, making it incredibly important to Australia, even more so than the rest of the world.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Taking place each year at the incredibly prestigious Cheltenham Festival, the Gold Cup is arguably one of the biggest awards a jockey can win. The race we know today was established in 1924, but its origins date back to a flat race founded in 1819. The turf tracked steeplechase is roughly 3 miles long and doesn’t quite fetch as large a prize pool, with £625,000 being the total prize pool. The Gold Cup isn’t often participated in for monetary elements, but it has built a legacy and level of prestige that jockeys around the world dream of reaching. It’s often regarded as the pinnacle of national hunt racing, producing some massive names in horse racing, such as Best Mate, Kauto Star, and Golden Miller.
To Conclude
If beginners want to get into horse racing, these are just a few of the biggest events they could get involved with in the racing calendar. Many smaller races occur across the country, fetching a smaller audience, but it is a good way to attend a race and get a good idea of the atmosphere.