Horse Racing is widely considered to be the biggest gambling portal all over the world, with multi millionaires in several countries taking a special liking to the sport. Some big horse races are gala events, extending over the weekend with many A-list celebrities from all walks of life in attendance. These events are crucial dates in the gambling calendar across the planet.
Horse racing has such a charm amongst the rich and famous that an Islamic city like Dubai, hosts one of the biggest horse racing events of the year, despite gambling of any sort otherwise completely banned in Islam.
This exception was made because of the potential of the betting culture in horse racing among the mega rich Arab sheikhs.
- Does horse racing fascinate you?
- Are you a traditional gambler aiming to make a foray in the popular horse racing market?
- Would you like some helpful information regarding the top horse races in each country, to give you a better idea of where to start betting?
Well, fret not; as we have compiled a detailed list of the 12 biggest and richest horse races across the planet, to help you in your new gambling adventures.
1. The Preakness Stakes
Started In : 1873
Track Length : 1.2 miles
Prize Money : $1.5 million
Date : 3rd Saturday Of May
City : Baltimore, Maryland
Country : USA
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the US Triple Crown Of Thoroughbred Racing, held 2 weeks after the Kentucky Derby on the 3rd Saturday of May every year. A thick blanket of yellow flowers, resembling the state flower of Maryland, is hung around the winner’s neck, thereby earning the race the term ‘The Run For The Black-Eyed Susan’.
The racetrack is about 1.2 miles long and the race typically ends within 2 minutes, with the fastest time on record being 1:53:00, set way back in 1973. The track surface is dirt, and to qualify for this race each horse must be at least 3 years old and also a thoroughbred.
The race is the second most well attended horse-racing event in the USA, after the Kentucky Derby. It is famous for its InfieldFest, where thousands of revelers gather for a grand booze-filled outdoor party while enjoying the race.
2. Belmont Stakes
Started In : 1867
Track Length : 1.5 miles , Under 2 minutes.
Date : Second Saturday of June
Prize Money : $1.5 million
City : Belmont Park, New York
Country : USA
The 3rd and final leg of the US Triple Crown Of Thoroughbred Racing is the Belmont Stakes, which is also one of the oldest horse racing traditions in the USA, with the first race happening way back in 1867.
The racetrack at the Belmont Stakes is slightly longer than the other 2 legs of the Triple Crown, measuring just over 1.5 miles long. The record time for this race was 2:24, set way back in 1973. The race is a Grade I thoroughbred horse race, where the horses must be 3 years old or more.
As it’s the final leg of the Triple Crown, the race is termed as ‘The Test Of The Champions’ and also ‘The Run For The Carnations’, primarily because the winning horse is draped in a blanket of white carnations towards the end.
Located in the prime area of a metropolitan city like New York, The Belmont Stakes enjoys its fair share of TV coverage. A whopping 21.9 million people tuned in to watch the race on television in the 2004 edition. It is the 3rd most well attended race in North America after the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness Stakes.
3. The Grand National
Started In : 1839
Track Length : 4 miles / 10 minutes.
Prize Money : $1.6 million
Date : First or second Saturday of April.
City : Aintree, Liverpool
Country : England
One of the most challenging horse races in the world, the Grand National Steeplechase has been held at Liverpool’s Aintree racecourse every year since its inception in 1839. Despite it being considered a pretty dangerous track, the event attracts the top horse racers from across the planet with its massive $1.6 million winning purse.
The horses have to jump 30 difference fences across 4 miles and 500 yards of this famous racetrack, which involves 2 laps. The winning purse makes it the most valuable jump race in Europe. A popular annual event in British culture, the Grand National enjoys a healthy viewership with many people who do not usually watch or bet on horse racing also tuning in to BBC to catch the live action every year.
The even usually takes place in April every year, and is well attended by members of the Royal Family among other international celebrities. The event is spread out over 3 days and several elite restaurants cater to the A-list crowd in attendance every year.
4. Nakayama Grand Jump
Started In : 1999
Track Length : 4250 metres
Prize Money : $1.7 million
Date : Mid April
City : Nakayama, Funabashi
Country : Japan
The most prestigious horse race on Japanese shores is the Nakayama Grand Jump, held in April every year since its inception in 1999, at the famous Nakayama Race Course. With a winning purse of $1.7 million, the Grand Jump is one of the richest steeplechase races in the world. It is rated as a Grade I steeplechase race, one of only two in Japan.
Considered an extremely challenging racetrack, the Nakayama Grand Jump contains several sharp turns, along with a twisted path on the interior, filled with jumps, inclines and declines to test the limits of the racers. Horses must be thoroughbred and above the age of 4 to qualify for this race.
Tickets for the event are comparatively cheap and it is more of a family oriented event than a glamorous occasion like some other big races.
5. The Kentucky Derby
Started In : 1875
Track Length : 1.25 miles , Under 2 minutes.
Date : First Saturday of May
Prize Money : $2 million
City : Louisville, Kentucky
Country : USA
One of the most popular sporting events in the world, The Kentucky Derby sees the who’s who of the country all at one places, seated luxuriously at the famous Millionaires Row next to the racetrack. Held on the first Saturday of May ever year, The Derby is the most prestigious leg out of the US Triple Crown Of Thoroughbred Racing, and as many as 150,000 spectators travel to Churchill Downs for the annual event held there since 1875.
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With a racetrack measuring just 1.25 miles, it is one of the shorter horse races around, and usually gets over within 2 minutes, earning it the infamous tag of being ” The Greatest 2 Minutes In Sports “. The race has a rich tradition, and the winning horse is draped in a detailed garland made up of hundreds of beautiful roses. The Derby has a winning purse of $2 million, one of the highest in The USA, and is a major standalone betting event.
6. Paris Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe,
Started In : 1920
Track Length : 1.5 miles
Prize Money : $5.4 million
Date : First Sunday Of October
City : Seine, Paris
Country : France
One of the most prestigious events in the world of horse racing, the Paris Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, or simply known as The Arc, is the grandest stage of them all, in terms of extravagance and exposure. Held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, this historic event dates all the way back to 1920.
It is a flat race for thoroughbred horses, with a track measuring 1.5 miles. With a winning prize of a mammoth $5.4 million, The Arc is the richest turf race in the world.
The Arc Weekend is held on the first weekend of October every single year, and regularly hosts 7 Grade 1 races and 4 Grade 2 races. The even also features the Arabian World Cup, a prestigious one-off race only open to Arabian horses.
The overall theme of the event is based on an ancient Qatari village, due to the sponsorship with Qatar Racing, with free flowing champagne live Jazz performances ensuring a serene evening for all attendees.
7. The Breeder’s Cup
Started In : 1984
Track Length : 1-1.5 miles
Prize Money : $28 million in total, $1-6 million per race
Date : Late October/Early November
City : Various Cities
Country : USA
The Breeder’s Cup World Championships, is a series of Grade 1 American Thoroughbred horse races, spread over 2 days in a gala betting event. Inaugurated in 1984, the event takes place every year at different famous racetracks across the USA.
There are a total of 13 races currently held under the World Championship event, with a combined total purse of $28 million. Each of these races awards the winners with 4 different trophies, for the whole team. The winning horse is garlanded with flowers and paraded across the track.
The two biggest races in this World Championship are :
The Breeder’s Cup Turf
Currently sponsored by Emirates Airlines, The Breeder’s Cup Turf is a weight for age Thoroughbred horse race, which is one of the richest horse races in the world to take place on a turf surface. Horses have to be aged 3 or above to qualify for this race.
The racetrack is fixed at 1.5 miles, though the venue varies. The prize money for this particular race is a staggering $4 million, as of 2016.
The Breeder’s Cup Classic
Widely considered as the premier Thoroughbred horse race of the year in the United States, The Breeder’s Cup Classic is a Weight For Age Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged 3 and above, which takes place on a dirt race track measuring 1.25 miles.
The average time for a Breeder’s Classic winner is around the 2 minute mark, with the fastest recorded time being 1:59:02 in 2004. The race is considered one of the richest in the world with a mammoth winning purse of $6 million, making it the biggest race in North America before it was overtaken by the Pegasus World Cup earlier this year.
8. Japan Cup
Started In : 1981
Track Length : 1.5 miles
Prize Money : $5.8 million
Date : Last Sunday Of November
City : Tokyo
Country : Japan
The most prestigious horse race in South East Asia is the Japan Cup, The Japan Cup is a thoroughbred horse race run on a turf, It is a grade 1 race with a massive winning purse of $5.8 million, a major factor in some of the finest racehorses and jockeys being regular at the event.
The race is held on the last Sunday of November every year, and is inaugurated by the Japanese Prime Minister amidst much festivities. It is held at the 2400 meter long Tokyo racecourse in Fuchu, It is one of the most important events in the sporting calendar of Japan, and is also regarded as the biggest gambling event of the year in the country.
9. Melbourne Cup
Started In : 1861
Track Length : 3200 metres
Prize Money : $6.2 million
Date : First Tuesday Of November
City : Melbourne, Victoria
Country : Australia
Held annually at the famous Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, the Melbourne Cup is comfortably the richest horse race in the Southern Hemisphere. An annual thoroughbred race hosted by the Victoria Racing Club. In 1985, the Melbourne Cup became the first horse race in the Southern Hemisphere with a prize money more than $1 million. The current prize money is a mammoth $5.6 million, one of the highest in the world.
The event was inaugurated way back in 1861, and is typically well attended by A-list celebrities and sporting stars. Viewers are required to wear customary hats in attendance, and a famous competition called Fashions On The Field judges the most well dressed men and women at the event, with prizes from high-end sponsors.
The horses used in the race can be of either gender but must be 3 years old or more. Approximately 110000 people attend the event on average, making it a major global event.
10. The Royal Ascot
Started In : 1711
Prize Money : £6.5 million across 5 days
Date : 5 days in Mid June
City : Ascot, Berkshire
Country : England
By far the most formal horse racing event in the world, The Royal Ascot is a major even in British culture, dating back to 1711, founded by the then Queen Anne. The event is effectively hosted by the British Royal Family, with all the prominent members of the family arriving on decorated horse-drawn carriages on each of the 5 days. Queen Elizabeth II is the primary guest of honour and the races begin as soon as she makes an appearance on each of the 5 days.
One of the most important dates of the British Calendar, The Royal Ascot is well attended, with almost every single famous person in the country making an appearance. The media goes into overdrive about what the celebrities are wearing to who they make an appearance with.
The dress code for the event is strictly formal, with women expected to be full covered in a day dress accompanied by a hat, while men are supposed to be suited up in a black or grey morning dress with a top hat.
About 300,000 people flock to Berkshire every year for the race, and the total prize money in 2016 was a whopping £6.5 million, one of the biggest purses in Europe.
11. Dubai World Cup
Started In : 1996
Track Length : 2000 metres
Prize Money : $10 million
Date : Late March
City : Dubai
Country : UAE
Comfortably one of the grandest events of the sporting calendar of any year, The Dubai World Cup is probably the biggest standalone gambling event in the world. As of January 2017, it was the richest horse race in the world, before being overtaken by the Pegasus World Cup.
Inaugurated in 1996 by the primer minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Dubai World Cup is just one of the premium races on offer at the Dubai World Cup Night Event, where all the races have a combined winning purse of $27 million. The race itself has a purse of a mammoth $10 million.
It is a Grade I flat race, held at the swanky new Meydan Racecourse, with the Meydan Hotel offering luxurious suites overlooking the race. Horses from the Northern Hemisphere must be 4 years old or older, while Southern Hemisphere horses have to be 3 and above to qualify.
Held on the last Saturday of March, the race attracts the biggest names in the world of sports, politics and cinema among others, and is a gala event overall.
12. Pegasus World Cup
Started In : January 2017
Track Length : 1.125 miles
Prize Money : $12 million
Date : Late January
City : Florida
Country : USA
The most recent yet biggest entrant to the world of horse racing has been The Pegasus World Cup, held in Florida for the first time on 28th January this year. Named after the mythic Greek creature, which was a winged divine stallion, The Pegasus World Cup officially overtook the Dubai World Cup has the richest horse race in the world, with an astonishing purse of $12 million.
The organizers have already announced an even greater purse of $16 million for the upcoming 2018 edition of the event. 2017’s winning horse was Arrogate, ridden by Mike Smith, and pocketed a cool $7 million. The even aims to revolutionize the horse racing gambling industry in the USA and to reclaim power from the middle east.
The race is a flat race meant for thoroughbred horses, who need to be 4 years old or more to qualify for the prestigious event. The track measures just 1.125 miles long and the race is essentially a short sprint.
A massive statue of the mythical horse Pegasus stands at the entrance, as some of the country’s finest bars and restaurants open pop up stalls at the venue. Plenty of casino options around the race track complete the gambling experience, and the event was attended by many A-list Hollywood celebrities as well.
