What are the top horse races for fans and bettors annually?
The biggest and most famous horse races yearly always attract plenty of spectators and a vast amount of betting. We have outlined some of the most popular races on the flat and over the jumps throughout the calendar year.
We have incorporated many top races from the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as races from abroad, including those in Australia, the United States, France, the Middle East, and more.
Let’s begin by looking at the most prestigious horse races for fans and bettors each year with the Sport of Kings, flat racing.
Flat Racing Top Five Most Popular Horse Races
The Kentucky Derby
- Place : Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Date : The first Saturday in May.
- Distance : One and ¼ miles.
- First Place Prize Money : $3,100,000
- Famous Past Winners : Secretariat (1973), American Pharoah (2015), Mystik Dan (2024)
The fastest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, also known as the Race for the Roses, is one of America’s four great Grand Slam events, along with the Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes, and Breeders Cup.
The Epsom Derby
- Place : Epsom Downs in Surrey, England
- Date : The first Saturday in June.
- Distance : One mile and four furlongs
- First Place Prize Money : £850,650
- Famous Past Winners : Nijinsky (1970), Mill Reef (1971), Troy (1979), Shergar (1981), Nashwan (1989), Galileo (2001), City of Troy (2024).
One of the oldest classics and one of the biggest race days in the calendar in the UK, the Epsom Derby has been won by some of the most famous names in horse racing.
Melbourne Cup
- Place : Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
- Date : The first Tuesday in November.
- Distance : Two miles.
- First Place Prize Money : $4,000,000 (plus $250,000 trophy)
- Famous Past Winners : Makybe Diva (2003, 2004, 2005), Protectionist (2014), Without a Fight (2023)
Formerly the richest horse race in the world, winning the Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle of racing in Australia. The race attracts entrants from all over the world.
The Dubai World Cup
- Place : Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Date : The final Saturday in March
- Distance : Ten furlongs
- First Place Prize Money : $7,200,000
- Famous Past Winners : Dubai Millennium (2000), Thunder Snow (2018, 2019), Laurel River (2024)
The signature race of the Dubai World Cup meeting is one of the richest races in the world, with over $7m on offer for the winner out of a huge total prize fund. Second place takes home $1,000,000 too.
Prix De’ L’Arc De Triomph
- Place : Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France
- Date : The first Saturday in October
- Distance : 1 and ½ miles.
- First Place Prize Money : €2,857,000
- Famous Past Winners : Mill Reef (1971), Montjeu (1999), Sinndar (2000), Treve (2013, 2014), Enable (2017, 2018), Ace Impact (2023)
France’s most prestigious race has seen plenty of victories for home jockeys and trainers over the years. It remains one of the richest races in Europe to win.
Other Popular Flat Races
- The Everest : Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
- Belmont Stakes : Belmont Park, Elmont, New York, USA
- Preakness Stakes : Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, USA
- Breeders Cup Classic : Different venues each year
- 1,000 Guineas : Newmarket Racecourse, England
- 2,000 Guineas : Newmarket Racecourse, England
- The Oaks : Epsom Racecourse, England
- St. Leger Stakes : Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster, England
Jumps Racing Top Five Most Popular Horse Races
The Grand National
- Place : Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England
- Date : First Saturday in April.
- Distance : Four miles 514 yards.
- First Place Prize Money : £500,000
- Famous Past Winners : Foinavon (1967), Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977), L’Escargot (1975), Aldaniti (1981), Corbiere (1983), Hedgehunter (2005), Tiger Roll (2018, 2019), I Am Maximus (2024)
The people’s race. This test of endurance and stamina is the richest jumps race in Europe and certainly the most popular with fans and bettors alike.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup
- Place : Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, England
- Date : Middle Friday in March.
- Distance : Three miles 2 ½ furlongs.
- First Place Prize Money : £351,688
- Famous Past Winners : Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), L’Escargot (1970, 1971), Desert Orchid (1989), Best Mate (2002, 2003, 2004), Kauto Star (2007, 2009), Denman (2008), Coneygree (2015), Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024)
The signature race at arguably the most popular horse race meeting of the year, the Cheltenham Gold Cup brings the Cheltenham Festival to a head on the Friday after four days of racing.
King George VI Chase
- Place : Kempton Park, Sunbury, England
- Date : Boxing Day (26th December) each year.
- Distance : Three miles.
- First Place Prize Money : £142,375
- Famous Past Winners : Arkle (1965), Wayward Lad (1982, 1983), Desert Orchid (1986, 1977, 1989, 1990), The Fellow (1991, 1992), Best Mate (2002), Kauto Star (2006, 20067, 2008, 2009, 2011), Long Run (2010, 2012), Thistlecrack (2016), Clan des Obeaux (2018, 2019), Hewick (2023)
Held every year on Boxing Day at Kempton, the King George VI provides outstanding racing over the festive period. There have been some outstanding winners of this famous race over the years.
The Betfair Chase
- Place : Haydock Racecourse, Newton:Le:Willows, England
- Date : Mid:November.
- Distance : Three miles, one furlong, 125 yards.
- First Place Prize Money : £112,540
- Famous Past Winners : Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011), Siviniaco Conti (2012, 2014), Cue Card (2013, 2015, 2016), Bristol De Mai (2017, 2018, 2020), Protektorat (2022), Royal Pagaille (2023).
One of the more recent Grade 1 jump races added to the calendar. The quality of winners of the Betfair chase make it immediately obvious as to the high quality of this race.
Ryanair Chase
- Place : Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, England
- Date : Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival (in March)
- Distance : Two miles, four furlongs, 127 yards.
- First Place Prize Money : £211,013
- Famous Past Winners : Imperial Commander (2009), Albertas Run (2010, 2011), Cue Card (2013), Vautour (2016), Allaho (2021, 2022), Protektorat (2024).
One of the newest Grade 1 races, the Ryanair Chase was formulated when the Cheltenham Festival expanded to a fourth day. It has since become the top race of the third day of the festival.
Other Popular Jumps Races
- Punchestown Gold Cup, Punchestown, Ireland
- Irish, Scottish & Welsh Grand Nationals
- Queen Mother Champion Chase, Cheltenham Racecourse, England
- Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Racecourse, England
- World Hurdle, Cheltenham Racecourse, England
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- What horse racing bets can be made?
- How do you calculate racing bets?
- How to win at horse racing
- How to work out horse racing bets
- What Horse Racing Promotions are there at Online Bookmakers?
- What is Each-way Betting in Horse Racing?
- Why is the Cheltenham Festival So Important?
- What Are Forecast And Tricast Bets in Horse Racing?
- How Does A Best Odds Guarantee Work When Betting On Horse Racing?
- What do a bookmaker's race details signify?
- When are the most popular horse racing events in the calendar year?
- What is a Stewards' Inquiry in horse racing, and can it affect the race outcome?
- What sign language do bookmakers use at racecourses to communicate odds?
- What is Virtual Horseracing and how does it work?
- What is an each-way treble?
