The idea of racing horses has existed since humans first domesticated the animal. Records show that horse and chariot racing was incredibly popular in Persia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. And while historically, the sport has waxed and waned in popularity, it still endures as one of the most popular betting sports in the world.

Today, there are a ton of notable racing events which draw in a huge crowd of punters. In this article, we are going to go over a list of the best and most prestigious horse racing events around the world. So, anyone interested in the sport, who has yet to board the bandwagon, perhaps we can help you start.

Cheltenham Festival – Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Festival is, indisputably, one of the the most in/famous events in horse racing. The English event held in Cheltenham draws in thousands of spectators, fans, and bettors from all over Europe. The most notable event at the festival, without a doubt, is the Cheltenham Gold Cup race.

The Grade 1 steeplechase has gone relatively undisturbed since 1924. Today, it is one of Britain’s most valuable non-handicap races, with the latest race taking place in March 2023, and offering a prize pool of over 600,000 pounds. It is no wonder that most bookmakers pay special attention to the Cheltenham Gold Cup odds, as it is certainly one of the most prestigious races in the country, and more broadly, the world.

It is worth noting that Cheltenham has had a few controversies with horse safety and track regulation. And while they’ve attempted to fix some of these problems, the latest controversy came in 2019, when three horses died due to injuries in the event.

The Dubai World Cup

Inaugurated in 1996, the Dubai World Cup is a relatively new addition to the world of horse racing. The thoroughbred race has gone undisturbed for 27 years. A dirt-surfaced, 2000-meters long, left-handed track, the Dubai World Cup race has quickly become one of the most prestigious events in the realm of horse racing. Thanks to the popularity of the event, many people have become horse racing fans, and fans of horses in general.

The horse is one of the most popular animals in the world, and is now incorporated into multiple video games, including, most notably, Minecraft. The popularity of horse racing has certainly contributed to this love that we have of horses. However, the bond between man and horse goes back more than 6000 years.

The Dubai World Cup also distinguishes itself as one of the most charitable horse racing events. In 2023, the purse for winners reached $12 million, making it one of the most valuable horse races in the world.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Another of the oldest horse races today, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was first raced in 1920. The flat/thoroughbred chase takes place on the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. In order to qualify for the Prix, a horse must be at least three years old, and must not be a gelding.

Thoroughbreds compete on a 2,400-meter, right-hand track. And with a purse of 5 million Euros, it is one of the most popular and rewarding horse races in the world today. The main sponsor behind the race is the country of Qatar, which had its own incredibly popular sports event in 2022. For this reason, you might see the race styled as “The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe” or simply “the Qatar Prix.”

The Kentucky Derby

Any long-time fan of horse racing is already familiar with the Kentucky Derby. By far the most recognizable event in the world of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby was once the stomping ground for some of the most notable equestrian athletes in the world. Of them, the most popular is, of course, the Secretariat. The horse who was considered “too beautiful” to compete became one of the most successful beasts to ever raise dust on the track. His popularity was such, that he even made it on ESPN’s list of top North American athletes of the 20th century.

As the name would suggest, the race takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. The event allows three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds to compete in a Grade I stake race. The 10-furlong, or two-kilometer race, is one of the most exciting of all time, drawing in fans from all over the world. And with a prize pool of $3 million, it makes for an incredibly exciting watch.

The Grand National

Last but certainly not least, we have the oldest horse race on this list. The Grand National was founded in 1839, and has gone on relatively undisturbed for over 180 years. A handicap steeplechase, the Grand National track is a sprawling 7000 kilometers, with a purse of a million pounds. In other words, it is the most valuable jump race in all of Europe and one of the most valuable races in general.

The Grand National has become somewhat of an event. In a vein similar to the World Cup, it is often followed by people who don’t usually care or bet on horse racing. The reason for this is because the Grand National is one of the UK’s most prestigious sporting events, and pulls the interest of millions of people. If horse racing is something that interests you, the Grand National is definitely the best place to start.

Honorable Mentions

- The Royal Ascot: Held annually in England, the Royal Ascot is more than a horse racing event. It is a spectacle. Horse racing, cocktail parties, a fancy ball, and a feast to rival a king’s, all this and more is available at the Royal Ascot.

- The Triple Crown: The Triple Crown is a collective name for three of America’s most notorious horse races. We already talked about the Kentucky Derby, which forms the first leg of the Triple Crown. However, the other two are also worth checking out. These include the Preakness, held in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes, held in Elmont, New York.

- The Breeders’ Cup: A thoroughbred horse race held in various spots in the United States, the Breeders’ Cup is certainly one to look out for.