Most Prestigious Horse Racing Events In The World
Horse racing takes place throughout the year in almost every country across the planet. However, all legendary horses throughout history have won at least one of the biggest prizes on offer.
These standout races capture the imagination of not just horse racing fanatics, but also mainstream viewers, who tune into the racing a place a bet on just the most significant races. But, what are the most prestigious horse racing events on the calendar?
In these events, jockeys are equipped with the best and correct horse racing equipment and accessories. The most comfortable ones give them a better edge in winning the match. These are gloves, helmets, and the best western saddle pad.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is regarded as the most prestigious horse racing on the planet. This race is a Group 1 and it takes place annually on the first Sunday of October at Longchamp Racecourse. Horses aged three and older can compete in this flat race, with a total distance of 2,400 metres covered.
It is the second richest race on turf, and has been won by a number of legendary runners throughout its esteemed history. Only eight horses have won the Arc on more than one occasion, with Enable becoming the most recent to achieve that feat in 2018. The 2022 edition of the race was won by Alpinista for trainer Sir Mark Prescott.
Kentucky Derby
The standout race on the calendar in the United States is the Kentucky Derby. This race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, and it takes place annually on the first Saturday in May. Horses aged three can run in this race, but the field is determined by the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, based on past performances in prep races.
The Kentucky Derby is run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles, and is competed on a dirt surface. According to TwinSpires, a purse of $3 million is available to connections, and it has regularly created some of the most famous moments in the sport. One of the most celebrated winners remains Secretariat, who won in a record time in 1973 on his way to winning the Triple Crown. Last year’s winner of the race was 80/1 outsider Rich Strike.
Melbourne Cup
Few nations are as passionate about their racing as Australia, and the standout event on the calendar Down Under is the Melbourne Cup. This is a Group 1 on the turf, and it is run over a distance of 3,200 metres. It is the richest two-mile handicap in the world, and it takes place annually at Flemington Racecourse as part of the Spring Racing Carnival. The Melbourne Cup is known as the race that ‘stops the nation’, and it was first run back in 1861.
The most successful horse in the history of the race is Makybe Diva, who landed victories in three straight years between 2003 and 2005. Meanwhile, Think Big, Peter Pan, Rain Lover, and Archer all landed two victories. The most recent winner of the Melbourne Cup was Gold Trip for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Grand National
There is no race on the planet that brings people together like the Grand National. It is nicknamed ‘the people’s race’, and has been staged annually since 1839. It is a handicap steeplechase, which covers a total distance of four miles, and pits a field of 40 runners over 30 fences at Aintree Racecourse. A purse of £1 million is available for the winning connections of the Grand National, and the race has created long-standing memories for viewers throughout its history.
Red Rum is the most famous Grand National horse in history, having won three times between 1973 and 1977. Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum to win consecutive Grand Nationals in 2019, and the race was won in 2022 by 50/1 outsider Noble Yeats for trainer Emmet Mullins.