We can all agree that horse racing is more than just a sport. After all, horse racing events usually last around 2 minutes, and do you think that more than 150,000 people would travel to Kentucky from all around the world just for two minutes of action?
Of course not.
Horse racing is more about passion, the festivals, the fashion, the adrenaline spikes of the race, especially when combined with betting, and much more. But, when you observe the annual horse racing event calendar, you can find thousands of races.
So, how do you choose the right one if you are a beginner in the sport?
Well, just like in any sport, there are some that hold a special place in people’s hearts. Those are the ones that we will focus on in today’s article.
In order to be considered in the list of Best Annual Horse Racing Events in the world, each event needs to fulfill certain criteria. First and most importantly, the event must have a lot of interest from the public. On top of that, the event should have a long history in order to make it even more special, and a lot of demand for participating.
And let’s not forget, a big prize purse is always welcomed!
Let’s go on a journey around the world and pick some of the best annual horse racing events in 2023.
Cheltenham Festival
Thousands of horse racing lovers and punters will be able to converge on the gorgeous town of Cheltenham again this March, as it hosts one of the world’s most renowned horse racing events.
The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day celebration of the world’s top National Hunt runners and riders, attracting over 200,000 spectators over the course of the week. Many horse racing enthusiasts travel over to witness this spectacular performance and contribute to the vibe of the festival.
The Cheltenham Festival begins on Tuesday, March 12, with 28 thrilling races spread across four days. The prestigious Gold Cup is held on Friday, the final day of competition.
Epsom – UK
The Epsom Derby is a well-known horse race that takes place each year at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England. It is one of three British Classics, together with the 2000 Guineas and the St. Leger Stakes, for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies.
The Epsom Derby is the wealthiest and most famous event in the United Kingdom, taking place over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,423 meters). It is usually held on the first Saturday of June and draws thousands of spectators, including members of the royal family. In 2024 the event happens between 31st May and 1st of June.
Royal Ascot Racecourse Festival
The Royal Ascot Festival comes to life around 22 June and it is one of the biggest events in the UK.
The 2024 Royal Ascot Festival is held at the Ascot Racecourse in Surrey and includes the Prince of Wales Stakes race and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes race, both of which carry a prize purse of one million pounds for the winner.
Royal Ascot is the highlight event of the Flat season, famed for its glamor and elegance; it is one of the most important horse racing competitions in the United Kingdom.
Royal Ascot events such as the Queen Anne Stakes, Commonwealth Cup, and Gold Cup provide world-class competition.
The Queen attends Royal Ascot every day, and a Royal victory is always popular with horse racing fans.
The Kentucky Derby
We now travel to the United States, which has a thriving horse racing industry.
The Kentucky Derby Festival concludes with the Kentucky Derby, an annual horse race in Louisville. The event in 2024 will happen on May 4th.
Three-year-old Thoroughbred horses participate in the Grade 1 event over a one-and-a-quarter-mile course at Churchill Downs. The winner receives a blanket of roses, thus the moniker “The Run for the Roses.”
In the United States, it is frequently referred to as “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” or “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” according to its estimated length. The event is the first leg of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Rich Strike won the race with jockey Sonny Leon and trainer Eric Reed last year.
Fun fact: The Kentucky Derby was inspired by the Epsom Derby in the UK after Colonel Merriweather Lewis Clark attended the event and decided to recreate it in the United States.
This event has evolved into much more than horse racing throughout the years, featuring other celebrations and betting. And, in 2024, the Kentucky Derby will celebrate its 150th anniversary, making it a historic year!
If you want to find out about other great horse racing tracks in the United States, visit the link below: twinspires.com/edge/racing/tracks/
Dubai World Cup – United Arab Emirates
This is the list’s newest annual horse racing event, but it’s still a must-see. With a prize pool of over $12 million, the Dubai World Cup is one of the most valuable horse events on the calendar.
The spectacular Meydan Racecourse hosts the event. A beautiful structure distinguished by its massive grandstand with seats for over 60,000 spectators. In 2024 the Dubai World Cup will happen on March 30.
The Dubai World Cup is held on the final Saturday of March every year. The event is the pinnacle of Dubai’s horse racing season, attracting top-tier horses, trainers, and riders from across the world. It’s a very short yet entertaining 2 km event that blends speed and endurance.
