Biggest Horse Race in the World

Horse racing has long been at the centre of the sports betting world, but the sport has flourished worldwide for centuries, providing excitement, surprises, and jubilation on the biggest stages.

At Betsquare, we discuss which is the biggest horse race in the world and what makes each contender so unique. Whether it’s popularity, prize money, or prestige, we want to help you discover your favourite race.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is the USA’s most famous race and captures the imagination of punters everywhere. More people watch the race, in person and on TV, than any other race in the country. It’s nicknamed “The Run for the Roses” as the winning horse is covered in roses after the race’s conclusion. It is held annually in early May and has never been called off.

The race is held yearly at the Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky and is a mile and a quarter long in distance.

The inception of the race in 1875, the first of the 150 editions of the event, was inspired by the Epsom Derby in the UK. The winner of the Kentucky Derby will pocket $3.1 million. The legendary Secretariat set the race record in 1973 with a winning time of 1:59.4. As part of the US Triple Crown, it attracted the likes of Queen Elizabeth II in 2007, but it was the 2015 event that saw the most people ever in attendance: 170,500, such is the esteem of this race. 

Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is such a big deal in Australia that Victoria has a bank holiday on the race day. More money is up for grabs at this race than any other two-mile handicap race on Earth, with a total purse of over A$8.4 million. The Flemington Racecourse is the home of the Melbourne Cup, a race that has existed since 1861.

In 2003, over 122,000 people attended the race, which is the Melbourne Cup record, and more than a million watch on TV every year. It’s been dubbed “the race that stops a nation”, and it’s always been a contest where horses from abroad, namely New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, the USA, Germany, France, and Japan, have succeeded. 

 

The Everest

Another Australian race, but this time, we head to Sydney. Randwick Racecourse is a contemporary race with a huge purse, totalling $20 million and a significant entry fee of $700,000 per runner. Therefore, it is Australia’s richest race and turf event anywhere. 

Although it has only been going since 2017, it has already become a huge fan favourite because of what’s at stake. The race, which covers a distance of 1,200 metres, was even promoted on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, somewhat controversially.

Breeders’ Cup Classic 

Although the Breeders’ Cup Classic is not part of the American Triple Crown, it packs a punch in terms of significance and entertainment in the US sports schedule. It tends to have the fifth largest purse in the horse racing world, and even though it was only inaugurated in 1984, making it a relatively modern race in the sport, many view it as part of the elite horse races in the country. They could put it alongside the Triple Crown events.

There’s a total purse of $7 million up for grabs at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but horse racing betting in this event isn’t easy; this might have something to do with the race being held at different venues each year, making it much harder to predict from a punter’s standpoint and navigate from the point of view of a jockey and horse. However, with two wins, Tiznow is the most successful runner in the race’s history. 

Ascot Gold Cup

Dating back to 1807, the Ascot Gold Cup is one of the most recognised sports events anywhere and has strong links with British royalty. The Ascot Gold Cup is renowned for being suited to long-distance runners, given the distance of 2 miles, 3 furlongs, and 210 yards. Although the purse of £600,000 is less than other races’ awards, the honour of winning the Ascot Gold Cup is much sought after.

The English race’s official name doesn’t include Ascot but is commonly known as the Ascot Gold Cup. Ascot Racecourse is based just outside of London, and the Gold Cup has only ever been won four times by one horse: Yeats, who completed the feat in 2009. 70,000 people are usually in attendance, with nearly 2 million people watching on TV in the UK and more further afield. The festival is particularly famous for its “Ladies’ Day”, where fashion and creativity become a theme among attendees.

Dubai World Cup

For the biggest potential payday, you must head to the United Arab Emirates and win the Dubai World Cup. The total purse for the race, which is run at Meydan Racecourse, is $12 million, making it the most lucrative race on Earth. Although it might not have the history and heritage other races have, since it only began in 1996, everybody wants to win this race for its purse. The viewership will surely increase as the money continues to be pumped into the Dubai World Cup.

The Meydan Racecourse track measures 2,000 metres and is a dirt surface, an exciting adjustment for horses that usually perform on turf. The biggest stars in music are invited to perform for guests at the festival as there has been a real effort to increase its popularity and exposure, aside from the large purse alone. The race’s quickest time was achieved at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, the former home to the race before Meydan Racecourse was opened.

Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes are significant in the US sporting calendar because they fall on Armed Forces Day. Held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, the runners need to navigate a distance of 1 and 3/16 miles to become the champion of this Triple Crown event, hence its nickname “The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown”.

All the American Triple Crown events are prevalent. Still, despite the Preakness Stakes being two years older than the Kentucky Derby, it is slightly less attended than the latter but attended better than any other race in the USA.

The entire purse for the race is $2 million, and the winner collects $1.2 million. The legendary Secretariat is the horse that holds the record time for the race at 1:53.0. It’s a race that many know as a real chance for Fillies to win a major event. 

Belmont Stakes 

“The Test of the Champion”, as Belmont Stakes is affectionately known, is the final race in the US Triple Crown. Yet again, Secretariat has made history on this course by setting the record for the fastest race time at the event, the quickest dirt track time ever recorded, with an astonishing 2:24 over 1.5 miles. 

The total purse for the race is in line with others of similar prestige, sitting at $2 million. This race is interesting because it tends to suit runners with sprint ability despite its distance being longer than others. Belmont Park is in New York State and is the home of the oldest of the three American Triple Crown races. The 2004 TV viewing figures almost hit 22 million for the Belmont Stakes, exemplifying its popularity in North America.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the most famous horse race in Europe and perhaps the most prestigious. Set in the backdrop of Paris, there is a purse of €5 million in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is partly down to sponsorship from the state of Qatar, making it the most lucrative race in Europe and the fifth-largest turf race anywhere. The distance is 1.5 miles and usually takes place in October each year.

Many consider this the most prestigious race that doesn’t restrict the horse’s age. No horse has ever won the race three times, adding to its allure to see if anybody can grab that elusive third victory at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Frankie Dettori triumphed at the event six times as a jockey, and he once said Longchamp Racecourse, where the event is held, is his favourite racecourse anywhere other than Ascot, claiming that it’s his “Holy Grail”.

The fastest winning time in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was not at Longchamp but at the race’s temporary home in Chantilly when renovations took place at the former; the record time was 2:23.61.

Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby has been held in high regard since its creation in 1780, and because of its success, other significant races were inspired to come into existence across the globe. The Epsom Derby is the wealthiest flat horse race in the UK, with the winner collecting over £900,000, and is part of the British Triple Crown. Epsom Downs Racecourse is located south of London and has an overall distance of one mile, four furlongs, and 10 yards.

The Earl of Derby initially sponsored the event, which is where the “Derby” part of its moniker comes from and is the origin for the other Derby events worldwide. It is broadly considered the most prestigious of the UK Triple Crown events.

To illustrate the importance of the Epsom Derby and why horses are bred for racing at all, we refer you to famed Italian breeder Federico Tesio’s quote: “The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby.”

Final Thoughts

Whether your favourite horse race has the most money on offer, the one that is hardest to predict if you are looking for a horse racing bet, or the one with the most history and prestige, there’s a lot to love about each of the races above.

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