Horse racing has always been a rather popular sport in certain locations around the world, with large portions of the population continuing to tune into some of the biggest horse races that take place around the globe.
Naturally, there will have been an interest in the sport due to its history within certain countries, whilst there will be many that will have become fascinated due to the experiences that can be enjoyed.
Many like to be able to soak up the atmosphere and buzz that can be obtained whilst attending the biggest meets, whilst others simply enjoy betting on horse racing as it can give them an adrenaline boost and is perhaps just something of a tradition for many.
With that in mind, though, what are some of the biggest horse racing events to take place around the globe? This article will explore a few of them and look to explain why!
Cheltenham Festival
Perhaps one of the biggest race festivals ever, the Cheltenham Festival is one of the top meets that thousands, if not millions, continue to watch each and every year when it takes place in March.
The festival, which typically pits Great Britain against Ireland regarding race winners, is run over a variety of different hurdles, fences, and steeplechases, with some of the best jumpers typically taking part.
Indeed, there have been several famous horses to have competed and been successful, with the Gold Cup race that is run on the Friday of the Festival at 15:30 GMT being the main event of the entire four-day festival!
Grand National
Some would argue that the Grand National is the biggest horse racing event to take place each single year and it would be difficult to argue against them.
The race, which typically takes place on a Saturday in April, is held at the Aintree racecourse and is a handicap steeplechase race that requires horses to jump a total of 30 fences. This is completed across two laps which total approximately 4 miles and 2.5 furlongs.
It is one of the oldest race meets in the world, as it was first run in 1839, and sees a large field of horses typically take part, with it being a rather difficult and unpredictable race throughout history, thus helping to highlight why so many continue to watch it around the world.
Kentucky Derby
In the United States of America, the Kentucky Derby is perhaps the biggest horse racing event and one that does continue to attract an audience from all over the world.
The race is one of the richest to win, with a prize pot of approximately $1.8 million available to the winner of the derby, which is held in Louisville, Kentucky, traditionally on the first Saturday of May.
Held on a flat surface, the Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stake event for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and is contested at one and a quarter mile (10 furlongs) at Churchill Downs.
