This guide is all about the biggest and most famous horse racing events in the United Kingdom and worldwide. If you feel passionate about the sport, this page will provide you with all the essentials about the most important sprints and chases. Read about the “Run for the Roses” or the Cheltenham Festival. 

Other big horse racing events are the British Grand National, Epsom Derby, St Leger, Breeder’s Cup and the French Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Each event stands out for its prize fund and field of racehorses. For example, the Kentucky Derby is the flat race with the most competing colts and fillies. 

Moreover, the horse racing festivals, like those in Cheltenham and Newmarket (Guineas), include several events, providing a unique experience. Attendance is always high and depends on the facility’s capacity. For comparison, the 2000 Guineas in 2022 had 32,233 spectators over two days, while the Kentucky Derby – more than 147,000. 

However, both facilities were full, and millions of others watched the races on TV or online. The biggest horse races are broadcasted worldwide, including the Dubai World Cup, Grand National, and Royal Ascot. Proceed further and find out intriguing details and all the facts about the finest horse races around the globe! 

Famous UK Racing Events

Grand National 

Inaugurated in 1839, the race is held yearly at Aintree Racecourse located near Liverpool. The Grand National is part of the National Hunt, and it’s a handicap steeplechase for seven-year-old or up horses. It’s one of the most valuable horse racing events in the UK. 

The Grand National was rated 125+ by the British Horseracing Authority. In 2022, the race was held on the 9th of April, and it was won by the Irish-bred thoroughbred Noble Yeats. Ridden by jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, the 50/1 underdog outpaced the favourite Any Second Now. Here are some interesting facts about the Grand National: 

  • Prize Purse – the total purse of the race is £1 million, which makes the Grand National one of the most rewarding jumps. In 2022, the winner received in excess of £500,000. The 2nd and 3rd placed teams got around £150,000 and £100,000. The lowest prize is £5,000 for 10th place! 
  • Number of Runners – the maximum size of the Grand National fields is 40 horses, although that number is not always reached. Sadly, last-minute withdrawals always happen due to injuries or other types of issues. In 2022, 40 runners and riders started, but only 15 teams finished the race! 
  • Grand National Distance – from 1839 until 2013, the official distance of the race was four miles and four furlongs. It was then shortened by 90 yards to around four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs. The start was moved closer to the 1st fence, and the total length of the course was reduced by 110 yards. 

The Grand National remains the longest British National Hunt race even after the changes. It also stands out with the lengthiest stretches between the last fence and the finish line – 494 yards. This makes the final sprint unpredictable and allows contenders to catch up 15-20 lengths behind, as Red Rum did in 1973! 

  • Fences – to finish the National Hunt, teams need to make 30 successful jumps over 16 fences. It’s a two-lap race, so the first 14 obstacles need to be overcome twice. The most famous fence is Becher’s Brook, coming as 6th and 22nd, respectively, with a drop angle on the landing side is 6 ft 9in! 
  • Biggest Outsiders – five horses won the Grand National starting as 100/1 underdogs, with Mon Mome being the most recent one in 2009. Tipperary Tim, Gregalach, Caughoo, and Foinavon also did it in 1928, 1929, 1947, and 1967. At the same time, the shortest-priced winners were Poethlyn (11/4) and Huntsman (3/1). 
  • The Race That Never Was – the 1993 Grand National was unofficially won by Esha Ness, ridden by jockey John White. The team finished with the second-best track time in history, but unfortunately, the whole result was voided that day. The race began with a false start, but 30 of the 39 runners continued due to bad communications. Although the red flags were waved by the officials, seven horses finished the course! 

Cheltenham Festival 

If you want to witness the “Cheltenham roar”, you should be at Cheltenham Racecourse in March. The Cheltenham Festival is held annually and includes several Grade I National Hunt races. Some of the big horse racing events to visit are the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Stayers’ Hurdle, Champion Hurdle, and Queen Mother Champion Chase. 

The four-day festival originated in 1860 coinciding with Market Harborough’s first National Hunt Chase. Ruby Walsh was the top jockey from 2008 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2017. In 2009 and 2016, he won seven races over four days. Here are some facts about one of the most thrilling horse racing events: 

  • Prize Purse – each of the races included in the Festival stands out with impressive rewards, but the largest purse is for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The steeplechase prize money for 2022 was £625,000 paid to the first eight horses. The winning pair gets the heftiest chunk of over £350,000. 
  • Number of Runners – there are 28 races in total during the Cheltenham Festival, and each one has different rules for the entrants. After the last changes, the Cheltenham Gold Cup includes up to 16 pairs of runners and riders. The Champion Hurdle includes up to 20 runners, except for 1967, when 23 pairs were competing. 
  • Distance of the Top Races – the Cheltenham Gold Cup steeplechase is the longest race, with a total of three miles and two-and-a-half-furlongs covered. The Champion and Stayers’ hurdles follow with three miles and two miles and a half furlongs. The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a two-mile steeplechase. 
  • Fences & Hurdles – the Cheltenham Gold Cup is also a leader when it comes to obstacles to jump through, with 22 fences. The Queen Mother Champion Chase includes 13 fences, the Stayers’ Hurdle – 12, and the Champion Hurdle – 8. Fences are at least 4ft 6in high, while hurdles stand at a minimum of 3ft 6in. 
  • Saint Patrick’s Day – the Cheltenham Festival is quite popular among Irish tourists as it usually is held during the same time as St Patrick’s Day. Another interesting fact is that the Irish trainers often dominate. Willie Mullins finished first for the 9th time, registering 10 wins in 2022. 
  • Record Attendance – a record number of people usually visits the city during the Festival, especially on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. In 2022, the number grew to 71,500, with an average attendance of around 65,000 during the four days. 

Epsom Derby 

Inaugurated in 1780, the Derby has always been among the major horse racing events in the UK. It’s a flat thoroughbred sprint annually held at Epsom Downs in Surrey for three-year-old colts and fillies. The Epsom Derby is the richest non-jump race in the United Kingdom, and it’s currently sponsored by Cazoo. 

Lester Piggott is the leading jockey of the Epsom Derby, with nine wins between 1954 and 1983. The leading trainer is Aidan O’Brien, with eight wins, including of Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentina (2020). The fastest track time was set in 2010 by Workforce – 02:31:33. Here are more details about the race: 

  • Prize Purse – the 2022 Epsom Derby budget was increased from £1.125 million to £1.5 million. The winner took the massive £909,628, while the rest of the pack, much more modest prizes. As one of the British Classics in the flat race calendar, the Derby also secures a place in history! 
  • Number of Runners – the field cannot exceed 20, and the number is usually between 12 and 16. It varies due to qualification issues and injuries. In 2022, 17 runners and their riders took place, and the winner was the 5/2 favourite Desert Crown, two-and-a-half lengths ahead of the 150/1 underdog Hoo Ya Mal. 
  • Distance of the Epsom Derby – to win the Classic sprint, every pair needs to outpace the rest of the field over a mile, four furlongs and six yards. The original distance was one mile, which quickly changed in 1784. The most decisive victory ever achieved was by the Irish-bred thoroughbred Shergar in 1981 – 10 lengths. 
  • Epsom Fair – nowadays, the Derby is held on June’s first Saturday and is attended by 100,000+ spectators. It’s one of the biggest sports events on the British calendar, but it was held on Wednesdays or Thursdays for many years, kicking off the 10-day Epsom Fair. It was moved to Saturday in 1995. 
  • Longest and Shortest Odds Winners – Jeddah, Signorinetta, and Aboyeur ran against the odds (100/1) in 1898, 1908, and 1913 to eventually win the race. On the opposite side was Ladas, a British thoroughbred who triumphed in 1894 as a 2/9 favourite. However, the 02:45 time was far from the best even then. 
  • Toss of a Coin – the name of the race was chosen in 1779 after the first Oak Stakes. It had to be given in honour of the host – the 12th Earl of Derby or Sir Charles Bunbury, his guest. The coin toss was in favour of the event’s host, obviously.  

Royal Ascot 

Tradition, class, fashion, and sport, that and a lot more is to be expected every year in mid-June. The Royal Ascot has been bringing together the best horses and jockeys. They are called to show the best of skill in front of thousands of racegoers and the British Royal Court 

Royal Ascot’s calendar consists of quite a lot of races held over five days, from Tuesday through Saturday. For the 2023 season, 35 sprints are scheduled so far, and all will take place at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. Royal Ascot is the most valuable of all British horse racing events. Here’s a little more: 

  • Prize Purse – approximately 500 equines compete during the five-day Royal Ascot for the biggest prize money in total. The 2022 purse reached a new record of £8,652,500! The Ascot Gold Cup winner took a nice chunk of £500,000, and no event will be held for less than £100k. 
  • Number of Runners – rules vary heavily for each race in the Royal Ascot calendar. Usually, no less than 10 – 12 horses compete in each race, and their number almost never exceeds 30. In 2022, nine equines ran for the Gold Cup, 30 for the Britannia Stakes, and 19 in the King George V Stakes. 
  • Distance of the Highlighted Races – like anything else, sprints are run over different distances. The Queen Alexandra Stakes is the longest one, going over two miles, five furlongs, and 159 yards. The Ascot Gold Cup is held over almost two miles and four furlongs, and the King George V Stakes, a mile less. 
  • Qualification Rules – Royal Ascot’s calendar includes Group 1, 2, and 3 races and handicaps. Fillies and geldings are excluded from some events. The age limitations prevent equines from taking place in more than a few runs. The older horses usually compete in longer distances, although the one-mile Queen Anne Stakes is for four-year-olds and up! 
  • Frankie Dettori – the star jockey, has 76 wins at the Royal Ascot. He was on the back of all seven winners in 1996, completing an entire afternoon card. Frankie Dettori has a statue near the Ascot Racecourse entrance. In 2022, the superstar managed to win the Coronation Stakes on Friday with Inspiral. 
  • Royal Tradition – the biggest of the best horse racing events in the British calendar, was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne. It was a high-class social meeting, an exhilarating mix of pomp and fashion. By tradition, the Queen or a member of the Royal Court opens each of the days! 

Guineas Festival 

Another of the major horse racing events in the United Kingdom! It usually starts at the beginning of May and offers three days of entertainment and high-quality Group 1 flat racing. The Festival’s first day is always on Friday, followed by two British Classics over the weekend – 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas Stakes. 

The host of the entire event is Rowley Mile track in Newmarket, Suffolk. The 2000 Guineas Stakes was inaugurated in 1809, and five years later was held the 1000 Guineas Stakes for the first time. Saturday’s sprint is open for three-year-old colts and fillies, while the one on Sunday is for same-aged fillies only! 

  • Prize Purse – the QIPCO-sponsored Festival had a hefty £1 million total budget for the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas races. More than £283,000 were intended for the winners. The two prestigious competitions have equal purses nowadays, although that was not the case in the past when the 2000 Guineas Stakes was more highly valued. 
  • Number of Runners – despite the fact that the Rowley Mile course can host races of up to 35 entrants, the two Guineas Festival events rarely exceed 20 pairs. In 2022, 15 pairs ran the 2000 Guineas and 13 fillies on the day after. Winners are Coroebus and Cachet, both rode by jockey James Doyle. 
  • Distance – both Guineas runs are straight turf sprints over a mile. In 2020, Kameko set a new record of 01:34:72 in Saturday’s race. However, on Sunday’s 1000 Guineas in 2009, the American-bred and British-trained thoroughbred filly Ghanaati was faster – 01:34:22. The widest margins on both races are eight and 20 lengths. 
  • History of Names – the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas sprints were named after the original prize rewards for the winners. The races were established under the stewardship of Sir Charles Bunbury. These are the first two Classics opening the horse racing season in the United Kingdom. 
  • Jockeys & Trainers – Jem Robinson remains the leading jockey of the 2000 Guineas Stakes with nine wins between 1825 and 1848. George Fordham has seven 1000 Guineas Stakes from 1859 to 1883. The races’ respective leading trainers are Aidan O’Brien (10 wins) and Robert Robson (9 wins). 
  • Favourites & Shots – St Frusquin and Crucifix are the biggest favourites of the two races, competing in 1896 (12/100) and 1840 (1/10), respectively. On the opposite side, the longest odds winners were Rockavon in 1961 and Billesdon Brook in 2018, both being initially evaluated at 66/1. 

Ebor Festival 

As one of the final flat horse racing events of the year, the meeting is highly attended. The Ebot Festival has been held since 1843, and the first Ebor Handicap run. It’s a four-day meeting, usually starting on Wednesday, with the Juddmonte International Day, going through Ladies’ Day and Nunthorpe Day. 

The Ebor Festival ends on Saturday with Ebor Day! The premium meeting includes a card of Group 1, 2, and 3 flat races and handicaps, with BHA ratings reaching 105. The event is held every August, and all sprints are at York Racecourse! The 2022 Festival attracted 77,000+ racegoers over the four days. 

  • Prize Purse – the Ebor Festival has an increased prize money budget for the second year in a row. The rewards for all races are included, with the one for the Juddmonte International Stakes remaining the most massive – £1 million. The Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe Stakes follow with £533,750 each. 
  • Number of Runners – depends on the race and year. Some runs feature up to 30 pairs, while others have difficulties gathering 14 successful qualifiers. Most showpieces allow both colts and fillies aged 2, 3, 4 or older. Stradivarius (3 Lonsdale Cups), Tag End and Sharpo (3 Nunthorpe Stakes) are the biggest winners. 
  • Distance of Major Races – the Lonsdale Cup is the longest Ebor Festival’s race, with a distance of slightly more than two miles. The Ebor and Melrose handicaps go over a mile and six furlongs, while the Great Voltigeur Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks, a couple of furlongs less. The Juddmonte International showpiece is one mile, two-and-a-half furlongs. 
  • Ebor Festival Establishment – the name comes from the Roman word for York – Eboracum. The premier Racecourse is one of Great Britain’s oldest horse racing tracks. The first race, Great Ebor Handicap, was introduced in 1843 by the Clerk of the Course, John Orton. The Festival was never abandoned or postponed except for 2008. 
  • 2008 Racing Card Scrapped – due to extremely bad weather, all races were cancelled or moved to the racecourses in Newmarket, Newbury, and Goodwood, including the Ebor Handicap. The York Racecourse was waterlogged and totally unfit for horse racing activities. Some races were also cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Main Events by Day – although every Ebor Festival day offers a great bonanza experience, some races attract more spectators. Wednesday is most exciting for the Juddmonte International, Great Voltigeur and Acomb stakes. Thursday offers the Yorkshire Oaks and Lowther Stakes. Friday heightens the pressure with the Nunthorpe Stakes and Gimcrack Stakes. Saturday ends the show with the Ebor Handicap and Lonsdale Cup. 

St Leger Stakes 

First ran in 1776, nowadays, it’s one of the big horse racing events across the UK. St Leger Stakes is one of the last Grade 1 flat runs on the calendar, usually taking place in September at Doncaster Racecourse. Thoroughbred colts and fillies at the age of three are allowed to compete. 

St Leger completes the British Triple Crown, following the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby. The 5th Classic race is also the final leg of the fillies’ equivalent, following the 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks. However, only a few equines competed in all Triple Crown legs, with Camelot being the last one in 2012. 

  • Prize Purse – St Leger is the second most lucrative of the English classics, with a budget of £743,000 in 2021. The winning pair, Hurricane Lane and jockey William Buick pocketed £421,355. In 2022, the purse is expected to be slightly increased after Cazoo’s establishment as the main sponsor. 
  • Number of Runners – the Doncaster Racecourse has a massive field capacity, but it is almost never filled. In 2021, St Leger had 10 runners, and 13 are so far scheduled for 2022 – 13 colts and one filly. Historically, the most entries were in 1825 – 30, and the least in 1917 – only three. 
  • Distance – today, the St Leger contenders compete over a track with a length of one mile and six-and-a-half-furlongs. However, the distance was originally two miles and was cut in 1813. Ever since it lost 78 yards in minor alterations. St Leger is the longest race of all five flat UK Classics! 
  • Establishment – its founder is Col. Barry Saint Leger, an army man and popular politician at the time. It was named after him a couple of years after the first run in 1776, although the first proposal was Rockingham Stakes in honour of the Marquess of Rockingham, who was the host of the event. 
  • Leading Jockeys, Trainers & Owners – Bill Scott is the jockey with the most St Leger wins. He triumphed nine times between 1821 and 1846. At the same time, John Scott trained 16 winners from 1827 to 1862. Archibald Hamilton, 9th Duke of Hamilton, remains the owner with the most victories, seven within the 1786 – 1814 period. 
  • Records – the fastest winning time at Doncaster Racecourse was registered in 2019 by the British thoroughbred Logician. Teamed up with jockey superstar Frankie Dettori, it set a record 03:00:27. Never Say Die set the biggest win margin of 12 lengths in 1954, and Theodore was the biggest long-shot, winning in 1822 at 200/1. 

Famous Horse Racing Events in US and Worldwide 

Kentucky Derby

 The most prominent of all major horse racing events in the US. It’s held on Saturday of the first week of May every year. The place is the notorious Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby is a flat race first carried out in 1875 and the American Triple Crown’s first leg. 

Like many other premier horse racing events in North America, the Kentucky Derby isn’t restricted to geldings or fillies. All three-year-old thoroughbred equines are welcome to try and eventually qualify for the sprint. Here are more facts about “The Run for the Roses” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”: 

  • Prize Purse – in 2019, the total Kentucky Derby budget was lifted to $3 million, making it one of the most valuable flat horse races worldwide. The winner’s connections pocket $1.86 million, with the rest distributed to the rest of the first five. Winners usually get a lot of extra cash from ads and streaming! 
  • Number of Runners – another fact the Kentucky Derby is famous for is the usual 20-horse field. However, it was not always like that, as the number was not limited before 1975. Usually, the number of runners and riders willing to take part is much higher than the field size. 
  • Distance – the Kentucky Derby has been executed over 10 furlongs since 1896. Before that, the distance was 12 furlongs, which was considered dangerous for the health of young thoroughbreds in the early spring. The new length stuck and has not been changed since then. Secretariat holds the 10-furlong record of 01:59:40. 
  • Nicknames – “The Run for the Roses” originates in 1925 and means the red-rose garland awarded to the winner. “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, or as it’s also known “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, is the approx. duration of the sprint. Nevertheless, only two horses went under two minutes – Secretariat and Monarchos. 
  • Longest Shots – Donerail will remain in history as the biggest underdog ever to win the Derby. In 1913, it started 91/1 long-shot but managed to outpace the competition, with jockey Roscoe Goose on its back. In 2022, the 80/1 Rich Strike doubled its achievement coming from behind and beating the favourite Epicentre. 
  • Interesting Facts – Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack are the leading jockeys with 5 wins. Bob Baffert and Ben A. Jones are the trainers with the most victories – six! Calumet Farm is the owner with the highest number of winning horses – eight between 1941 and 1968. Three fillies have managed to win the Kentucky Derby so far – Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors. 

Dubai World Cup 

Besides being one of the big horse racing events worldwide, the Dubai World Cup is also the richest one. It’s a Group 1 flat dirt sprint that has been held annually at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, UAE, since 2010. Before that that Nad Al Sheba Racecourse was hosting the event. 

The Dubai World Cup was established by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 1996. It’s under the control of the Emirates Racing Authority. The run is open for two types of thoroughbred colts and fillies – four-year-old and up Northern Hemisphere and three-year-old and up Southern Hemisphere. Here’s something more about the race: 

  • Prize Purse – the Dubai World Cup offers the largest budget of all horse racing events worldwide – $12 million. It was matched in 2017 and beaten in 2018 ($16 million) by the Pegasus World Cup. However, in 2019, its purse dropped down to $9 million. Dubai World Cup’s winner gets $7.2 million of the pot! 
  • Number of Runners – In 2019 and 2021, the number of entrants was 13 and 12, respectively. The preliminary number for 2022 was a much more impressive 22, but it gradually melted away, and only 10 equines participated. The winning pair was Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori. Bob Baffert trained the American-bred five-year-old racehorse. 
  • Distance – Dubai World Cup is always held over 2km or around 10 furlongs on Saturday in March’s last week. Sprint’s length has never been changed since the race’s creation, but the surface was. The run was on dirt until 2010, when the Tapeta all-weather surface was introduced. By 2015, the competition is back on dirt. 
  • Dubai World Cup Night – the 10-furlong race is part of the big racing Night in Dubai. Nine flat races are held at Meydan Racecourse, with a total purse of $30.5 million. Eight runs are for Thoroughbred equines, and one is for Purebred Arabian horses. The Dubai World Cup Night is broadcasted live worldwide. 
  • Winning Times – Dubai Millennium set the fastest time ever in 2000 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse – 01:59:50. African Story and Thunder Snow hold the winning records at Meydan Racecourse on synthetic and dirt, respectively. In 2014, 02:01:61 was recorded and 02:01:38 in 2018. 
  • More Records – Thunder Snow, ridden by Christophe Soumillon and trained by Saeed bin Suroor, is the only horse with two victories – 2018 & 2019. It’s owned by Godolphin, a leader with nine wins. Frankie Dettori and Jerry Bailey are the leading jockeys with four triumphs each, while Saeed bin Suroor is the leading trainer (9 wins). 

Melbourne Cup

The most famous and richest of the Australian horse racing events. The Melbourne Cup is a flat turf run organised every year by the Victoria Racing Club. It’s a handicap held at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse and was run for the first time in 1861. It’s usually scheduled for the first Tuesday of November! 

“The Race That Stops the Nation” is open for three-year-old and up thoroughbred colts and fillies and includes handicap weight penalties. Horses outside Australia are welcome to join the ballot, but only after the mandatory 14-day quarantine. The Melbourne Cup is also very high, although it was capped to 10,000 racegoers in 2021. 

  • Prize Purse – A$4.4 million of the A$8 million budget goes to the winner. The owner takes 85%, the trainer and jockey – 10% and 5%. Trophies awarded in addition have been valued at A$250,000. The owner can earn an extra A$500,000 if the horse has won the last Irish St. Leger. 
  • Number of Runners – the field is limited to 24 starting pairs due to safety reasons. In 1890 was the largest group of runners and riders – 39, but no such restrictions were active in those days. The race directors organise a special ballot to decide which teams to compete in the following November. 
  • Distance – the original length of the race in 1861 was exactly two miles. However, in 1972, Australia switched to the metric system and the distance was shortened by around 20 yards to 3,200 metres or one mile and 1,740 yards. There have been no further changes until today! 
  • Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival – the Melbourne Cup is part of the four-day Carnival. Spectators can also enjoy three other highlighted premier runs – Victoria Derby, The Oaks and The Stakes. The Melbourne Cup is usually held during the second day and is the most attended handicap race in Australia. 
  • Records – the race record time was set in 1990 by Kingston Rule and jockey D. Beadman – 03:16:30. Bobbie Lewis and Harry White are leading jockeys (4 wins), Bart Cummings is the leading trainer (12), and Lloyd Williams is the leading owner (7). In 2015, Michelle Payne became the first winning woman jockey. 
  • Attendance – a record of 122,736 spectators, was registered in 2003. During the same year, more than 2.24 million TV viewers in Australia watched the race. In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the crowd was capped at 10,000, and it’s expected to be the same in 2022. 

Breeders’ Cup 

First started in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup World Championship is a series of top flat racing events held annually. It’s organised by Breeders’ Cup Limited, and every year a new track hosts the meeting. It was on a single day in the beginning, but since 2007, the sprints have been arranged within two days. 

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup will be at the beginning of November when usually, the event takes place. In its calendar are 14 races, five of which are during the first day and are open for two-year-olds. The rest are for older equines (three-year-olds) on Day 2. Races have individual qualification rules regarding the horses’ gender! 

  • Prize Purses – the net budget of the series is $30 million, a $2 million rise from 2021. Purses for the individual races vary and could be $1 or $2 million. The only exceptions are the final races of the second day. The Turf and Classic close the championship and are budgeted for $4 and $6 million, respectively. 
  • Number of Runners – no race within the Breeders’ Cup schedule can start with more than 14 running pairs. Some starts could be even additionally limited to 12 entrants, as happened with Dirt Mile, Turf Sprint, and Mile. It’s all about safety, and the selection procedure is pretty tight! 
  • Distance of Major Races – the best horse racing events offer different lengths and surface types, as does the Breeders’ Cup. Seven turf and seven dirt races will be held in 2022. The shortest sprints are Juvenile Turf Sprint and Turf Sprint (5 furlongs), while the longest is the Breeders’ Cup Turf stretching over a mile and a half. 
  • Racetracks – different facilities host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships each year. Since the meeting’s establishment, only once was outside of the United States. In 1996, it was held at the Canadian Woodbine Racetrack. In 2022, the series will be in Lexington, KY, at Keeneland Racecourse. 
  • Jockeys, Trainers & Owners – Mike Smith is the best-performed jockey at the Breeders’ Cup with 26 wins. In comparison, Frankie Dettori has only 14! D. Wayne Lukas has 20 wins as a trainer, and Bob Baffert – 17. Juddmonte Farms is the owner with the most earnings from the series, while Adena Springs is the respective breeder. 
  • Top Horses – Zenyatta, Tiznow, and Authentic are the equines with earnings exceeding $4 million. The Irish-bred thoroughbred Galileo is the sire in the same category with over $13.8 million. Unbridled’s Song is the only other to go over $10 million. Finally, the dam with the most earnings is Cee’s Song – $5.36 million. 

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 

the French “Arc” is perhaps the most prestigious of the big horse racing events in Europe. Inaugurated in 1920, it represents traditions, honour, and fearlessness. In addition to being named champions, the winners will pocket hefty prize money, the second heftiest in the world for a flat run on turf. 

It’s an annual event held at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, open for all ages but two-year-olds. No geldings are allowed, however, and the fillies and mares’ allowances are 3.3 pounds. The Grade 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is usually held in October, on the last day of the first week. 

  • Prize Purse – thanks to its main sponsor, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, the event has a massive purse of €5 million. It’s undoubtedly the richest flat race run on turf. In 2021, the 80/1 long-shot Torquator Tasso and jockey Rene Piechulek surprisingly won and took over €2,55 million of the pot. 
  • Number of Runners – in 2021, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was again awarded “Best Race Horse in the World”, although just 14 entrants started. Anyway, history remembers fewer participants – seven in 1941. In 1967, the running pairs were at their peak with a field of 30. 
  • Distance – the original length of 2,400 metres (one mile and four furlongs) remains unchanged until recent days. The only exceptions were in 1943 and 1944 when due to World War II, the event was moved to Le Tremblay. The distance was then shortened by 100 metres to 2,300 metres. 
  • Best Horses – a few horses have won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe more than once. The most recent one is the British thoroughbred Enable, a consecutive winner in 2017 and 2018. The French-bred Treve and American-bred Alleged also did that in 2013/2014 and 1977/1978, respectively. 
  • Jockeys, Trainers & Owners – Frankie Dettori is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe leading jockey with six wins, including the two with Enable. The leading owner is Andre Fabre, having eight wins on his belt. Two owners, Marcel Boussac and Khalid Abdullah, share first place in the respective category with six winning equines. 
  • Records – Torquator Tasso’s triumph in 2021 was a massive surprise, but its winning time was much slower than Longchamp’s record. The German thoroughbred finished at 02:37:62, while Found knocked chronometers at 02:23:61 in 2016. The oldest winner is from 1932, the seven-year-old Motrico! 

FAQs

  • Which horse race has the biggest prize fund? 

The Dubai World Cup has the most massive prize purse of all horse racing events worldwide. It is $12 million and is distributed among the first six places. The winner takes a hefty hunk of $7.2 million, while the second- and third-placed teams receive $2.4 and $1.2 million. 

  • Which horse has been the most successful out of these races?

Several thoroughbreds managed to win more than once in some of the best horse racing events. Enables, Treve, Ribot and several others won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Thunder Snow won the Dubai World Cup twice, while Goldikova and Beholder have three Breeders’ Cup race wins. However, no running team has managed to conquer the Kentucky Derby more than once! 

  • Which trainer has been the most successful at these events? 

There are many great thoroughbred race horse trainers out there, but some have become true legends. For example, Saeed bin Suroor has won nine Dubai World Cups! Even so, that’s not as impressive as Bob Baffert’s 17 Breeders’ Cups and six Kentucky Derbies. Willie Mullins stands tall with 50+ race wins at the Cheltenham Festival.