Sports

Horse Racing Events that Will Leave You Speechless

Horse Racing Events that Will Leave You Speechless

As a sport it has only been increasingly growing in popularity. Retaining its illustrious nature, horse racing has become a huge business and is also being attended by millions of punters around the world. Known for its unpredictability there’s always an upset on the cards in horse racing. Let’s have a look at some events that will leave you speechless.

Known notoriously as a very rowdy but good day out, horse racing events are becoming increasingly popular in Britain. The main events draw large crowds alongside important figures.

The Epsom Derby is the biggest race in terms of cash prize in Britain. The race started in 1780 and is the premier flat race in the UK racing calendar. This is known to be a brilliant spectacle and the Duchess’ stand attracts punters and royalty alike, with a capacity of 11,000 alone.

Cheltenham Festival lasts numerous days and has become an event in the calendar which most people now know about. Sporting a women’s day where glamorous dresses and fascinators are sported in the aim to be best dressed, before the lads turn up like a mass group of peaky blinders, this festival has become more than just about the horses – nevermind the horses the fashion here would leave you speechless. The festival also holds numerous huge races in the UK racing calendar with Gold Cup and Queen Mother Champions Chase being the most recognisable.

The Grand National is the big one. This is the most well known and well attended race in the Uk. It tends to bring out bets and gambles from people who don’t put one other bet on the rest of the year, this is because with online sites, such as Timeform, it’s easier than ever. This race has everyone watching on the end of their seats from grandchildren with their first bet on to die-hard grandads who haven’t missed a day betting in 40 years. Notorious for its complexity and toughness the long race with numerous jumps means that it is a spectacle not to be missed. Quite literally fun for all the family. 

Much like the UK, racing in America is big business and draws big support. The popularity mirrors that elsewhere. The big events in the US all surround the Triple Crown.

Commencing first with the Kentucky Derby- the biggest US race. Drawing in a huge prize pot of 2 million dollars, this event draws in punters and recognised names alike. The ‘Run for the Roses’ is known to many as the most exciting 2 minutes in sport. Starting on the first Saturday of May every year this Grade One contest is sure to deliver. It unfortunately took the first hiatus ever in 144 years due to the recent pandemic, but hopefully will return to its hayday’s upon its return in 2021.

Making up the 2nd and 3rd races in the Triple Crown are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes respectively. The second largest event in the American Horse racing calendar the Preakness Stakes directly follows the Kentucky Derby, it draws large crowds and talented runners. It has in the past been a historical setting for record breakers,none more so than Proletariats 1 min 53 seconds win there in 1973 which set the record for fastest race in the triple crown, a record which is still unbeaten to this day. The Belmont Stakes known as the Champion Track is the place where the Triple Crown can be won. Interestingly Proletariat also holds the fastest record here too during his 1973 Triple Crown win. The Test of the Champions proves to be tough for many to achieve, but will put jockeys and horses alike straight into the history books if they can make it.

Boasting the largest purse, no surprise, is the Dubai World Cup. A prize fund that would leave anyone speechless, valued by the Sheiks and Princes in UAE, this race is worth $10 million.

The Melbourne Cup is known as the ‘The Race That Stops The Nation’ because it closes offices and shops and has been a public holiday since 1865. The most prestigious race in Australia had a huge upset in 2015 when runner Prince of Penzance ran at 100/1 and won the race by half a length. Huge moment!

The Japan Cup is known for its prize pot and tendency to draw in big jockeys and horses. This race is young but rising to become a huge event. In 2005 this race had a photo finish with Alkaased beating its rival by a nose. Very, very fine margins to win £5 million.

As horse racing grows worldwide it is increasingly producing more special moments. The nature of the sport is its uncertainty, which in itself produces great moments. These moments have been happening for years and simply continue to occur, keeping punters and professionals in the sport alike, on the edge of their seats.

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