The largest and most celebrated horse races in the world
Horse racing is considered the ultimate gambling vehicle in the world. That’s why rich and deep-pocketed people especially love the sport. Aside from the gambling appeal, horse racing is also a fun-filled and exciting sport for people who love horses.
What’s more, horse racing is a globe-trotter of a sport because there are many different events and meets happening all around the world. Generally, horse racing fanatics support the events in their own countries.
Even so, some people love to attend horse racing events in other countries. So, wherever you are based right now, below are the biggest horse races in the world you need to know.
Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes
The Pegasus World Cup is one of the youngest and biggest horse races in the world, whose first edition was on January 28, 2017. The race is run over nine furlongs on a dirt track at Gulfstream Park.
Initially, the Pegasus World Cup asked shareholders to purchase a position in the race at $1,000,000 each. Indeed, it is a lucrative horse race. However, in recent years, the prize fund has somewhat decreased due to increasing criticism of the sport has suffered, specifically after thirty-seven horses died at Santa Anita.
Still, the once-named richest horse racing event in the world offers a $3,000,000 purse and some entertainment. The renowned Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer has already won the Pegasus World Cup twice, particularly in 2017 and 2020.
For its sixth edition, the Pegasus World Cup is back at the Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino on January 29, 2022. Learn more about the live updates from tvg betting guide in the coming days.
Saudi Cup
The Saudi Cup is yet another new horse racing event that packs a massive prize fund. On February 29, 2020, the first edition of the race was held. And since it’s held in February, it would mean that the contenders that ran in the Pegasus World Cup can compete here.
Moreover, the Saudi Cup is run on dirt. Unfortunately, the race attracts horse betting fanatics not because of the standard of horses but due to the massive purse.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is debatably the most distinguished horse racing event in the world. It marks the crowning point of the National Hunt season in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Plus, the race draws millions of horse racing fans and bettors every year.
In addition, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is run at the New Course and is celebrated for its renowned winners like Al Boum Photo, Best Mate, and L’Escargot. The Grade 1 National Hunt horse race acts as the Olympic Games or World Series of horse racing, which you should not miss.
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is one of the prestigious races in America. It is a 1 1/4 mile race open to at least three-year-old horses. Winners in this race usually skyrocket to superstardom, such as Secretariat, who won in 1973.
Moreover, since its first run in 1875, the Kentucky Derby has undoubtedly attracted millions of horse race betting fans and is popularly known as the most dramatic two-minute race in the horse racing world.
The race is run over a dirt track, and the starting gate is an extravaganza like no other. On top of that, the Kentucky Derby is part of the Triple Crown racing. The winner bags $1,800,000 out of the $3,000,000 purse.
Grand National
This race is the ultimate steeplechase. The Grand National is a horse race that runs over fences with a distance of four miles. With forty horses in the field and thirty jumps, the Grand National is a horse race like no other. It is a race wherein avid fans bet on a runner based on nothing more than the jockey’s uniform, name, or number.
The first winner of the race was Lottery, and over the years, the Grand National has been famed for iconic winners like Tiger Roll, Hedgehunter, and Red Rum.
Melbourne Cup
This race is one of the oldest horse races in Australia, which had been run at the Flemington Racecourse in 1861. The Melbourne Cup has a resilient international presence, both in the attendees and in the competition.
The race generally tests the runners’ stamina because they have to run over a distance of about two miles to finish the race. The Melbourne Cup is open for horses at least three-year-old.
Final
There are many other horse racing events in the world that you wouldn’t want to miss out on such as the Belmont Stakes, the Dubai World Cup, Breeder’s Cup, and the Preakness Stakes. All of these events undoubtedly offer impressive spectacle and fantastic betting opportunities. And with even more prestige and larger prize purses, betting on horse racing becomes more prominent each year.
