This weekend will see horse racing enthusiasts from around the UK make the annual pilgrimage to Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National – undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous horse races.
This year’s race will be the 165thrunning of the landmark event, which started way back in 1839. The horses involved will need to demonstrate stamina in abundance as they tackle 30 fences over the 4 mile and 4 furlong course.
With an estimated audience of around 500 million people globally, the Grand National is one of the most popular sporting events in the world. But what are some of the other major horse races around the world?
Melbourne Cup
Taking place in November each year, the Melbourne Cup is comfortably Australia’s most important thoroughbred horse race.
Dubbed ‘the race that stops a nation’, the Melbourne Cup is extremely lucrative with prize money of more than six million Australian Dollars.
It may not have quite the same global appeal as the Grand National, but the Melbourne Cup is certainly one of the biggest sporting events in Australia, with more than 100,000 people attending each year.
Kentucky Derby
The prestigious Kentucky Derby is recognised across the globe as a huge sporting event. Taking place in Louisville, Kentucky, the Derby is held every May.
It marks the start of the US Triple Crown and is known in the States as the ‘fastest two minutes in sport’. It regularly has the highest attendance of any horse race in America by some distance and stands out on its own as the biggest day in the US racing calendar.
Dubai World Cup
As a recent addition to the global racing calendar, the race was established in 1996, the Dubai World Cup has been quick to capture global attention. It takes places at Meydan Racecourse and is held in late March each year.
Dubai is known for being a rich man’s playground, and the World Cup is no different. With a total prize fund of $10 million, it is by far the most lucrative race in the world.
(Images: Tim. Edwards, Synyan, got2dv8, Ammar Abd Rabbo)
