Horse racing is a sport with millions of fans globally. However, some people attend races organized in their home countries. On the other hand, some diehards will do anything not to miss any major event in other countries. Every horse race has its tradition, making it unique and special. We will tell you about the most famous horse racing events globally.
Pegasus World Cup
The Pegasus World Cup is entirely new to horse racing. The first event took place at the Gulfstream in Florida for the first time in January 2017. All the horses partaking in the races must be more than four-years-old. It became famous for becoming the richest horse race with a prize of $12 million, overtaking the Dubai World Cup. Organizers increased the award to $16 million in 2018. Fans can still stroll the beautiful Hallandale beach before and after the game, and enjoy their preferred drinks and meals.
There have been only four winners from 2017 to 2020. They include Arrogate, Gun Runner, City of Light, and Mucho Gusto, respectively. The successful jockeys for the races were Mike Smith, Florent Geroux, Javier Castellano, and Irad Ortiz, respectively. The next horse race should happen in January 2021 but wait for the official communication.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championship
The Breeders’ Cup is a graded stakes horse race from the United States. Since the first race in 1984 up until 2006, it was a one-day event. However, it subsequently became a two-day competition. It has no specific racing track, but the venue changes every year. In 1996, they held the event outside the U.S at the Woodbine Racetrack in Canada. Attendance depends on the capacity of the site. It is one of the largest horse races that attract the best jockeys due to the high cash prize. For instance, in 2008, they added three more races and paid a whopping $25.5 million in two days! They are famous for attracting the top horses worldwide, such as Europe, Argentina, and Asia.
The winning records at the Breeders’ Cup are amazing. Some horses have won the races twice. For example, Zenyatta won the 2008 Distaff and the 2009 Classic while Stephanie’s Kitten won in 2011 at the Juvenile Fillies Turf and 2015 at Filly and Mare. Don’t be amused to find out that only two horses have won 3 times. They are Goldikova at the Mile from 2008-2010, and Beholder in 2012 at Juvenile, and Distaff in 2013 and 2016. Can the records be broken again? The next Breeder’s cup is happening at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, from 6th to 7th November 2020.
The Derby Stakes
The Derby Stakes is held every year at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England. It happens every year on the first Saturday of June. This year’s edition was supposed to take place on 6th June. The coronavirus pandemic that has affected the world made the organizers change it. However, the good news is that the horse racing event will take place on 7th July 2020. Since its first historic race in 1780, it has grown to become one of the richest horse races in Britain. It is also the most impressive amongst the five-classic series. Colts and fillies must be three years and above to participate. It is famous for inspiring other derbies in the world, such as Derby Italiano, the Kentucky Derby, and the Irish Derby.
Epsom holds many memories and records since Diomed won the first edition. In 2010, Workforce clocked 2m 31.33s to break the previous time set earlier by Lammtarra in 1995 at 2m 32.31s. Aidan O’Brien had an incredible record set in 2014. He became the first person to train three horses that won the horse races consecutively.
Japan Cup
Japan Cup is among the most anticipated horse racing events in Japan. All roads lead to Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu for the annual event that happens on the last Sunday of November. It is an invite-only for the competing horses and their jockeys, limited to just 18 places. The first race was held in 1891, with foreigners topping the list of participants. It becomes famous for inviting prominent and top-talent thoroughbreds for the races. If you attend the upcoming events, remember to sample Japanese cuisines such as Sushi, Tempura, Miso Soup, and Ramen.
Mairzy Doates from the U.S became the first winner at the iconic racecourse within 2:25.3. The coming years featured winners from different countries. However, since 2006, all the winners have been from Japan! Additionally, the jockeys and owners of the winners are all Japanese. Gentildonna is the only winner to have won the contest twice, in 2012 and 2013. With the next event set for November, will Japan remain dominant, or shall we have a new winner to break the monotony?
Dubai Sheema Classic
Dubai Sheema takes place on the last Sunday of March at the Meydan Racecourse in the UAE. The competing horses must be more than four-years-old and above. This year’s edition was canceled due to the risk of coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of people attend the prestigious horserace to witness the winner of the attractive prize. It became popular due to the unique culture that Dubai presents to visitors. You can go for a desert safari before or after the race is over.
Stowaway became the first winner on the turf with an incredible 2:29.01 in 1998. However, it was not until 2016 that Postponed, an Irish-bred horse, set a new record of 2:26.97. William Buick is the Jockey with most wins, (2010, 2017, 2018, 2019), with different horses. All eyes will be on him during the 2021 edition!