The biggest horse races in the world

Whilst many of us focus on horse racing around Ireland and the United Kingdom, horse racing is enjoyed by millions around the world from countries like Mexico to Japan. It’s a sport that is loved by many and whether it’s for punters or lovers of the sport, there is no denying the popularity of horse racing.

 

But what’s the most popular race or race meeting in the world? Well, we thought we’d look at the figures to see what is the most popular horse racing event in the world!

 

The Grand National

 

The Grand National comes in first and is easily the most-watched horse racing event in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Casual punters and horse racing fanatics all tune in to this historic race and it’s estimated that 80,000 were in attendance at Aintree this year to watch the race.

 

According to the BBC, around 600 million people across 140 countries tuned in to the Grand National this year which is an absolutely mind-blowing figure and with that, you’d have to make it the biggest horse racing event in the world.

 

The Kentucky Derby

 

The Kentucky Derby is the biggest horse racing event in the United States by some distance. More than 150,000 attended the event in person and it’s estimated that over $280m is bet on the event.

 

When it comes to viewing figures this year they averaged 14,300,000 people watching the event which makes it one of the most popular races not just in America, but around the world. As betting continues to grow in the US you’d think this legendary event will only increase in popularity.

 

For those interested in the latest insights and tips on horse racing, check out our comprehensive guide on Top Horse Racing Insights. This resource provides valuable information on betting strategies, upcoming races, and expert analysis that can enhance your experience.

 

Royal Ascot

 

Royal Ascot is currently underway and there are plenty of betting sites for horse racing offering odds on this historic event. The event might not be the most popular worldwide but approximately 600,000 people a year visit this course which accounts for 10% of all UK racegoers.

 

The Melbourne Cup

 

Whilst reports suggest the Melbourne Cup is on the decline, viewing figures are still in the millions and the attendance on the day reaches 81,000+. This sole race attracts the biggest names in horse racing from across the globe and with a prize pool of $4,400,000, it’s tough to miss this out as one of the biggest races in the world.

 

The Dubai World Cup

 

Speaking of huge prize pools, the Dubai World Cup has a total prize pool of $12m which isn’t the biggest in the horse racing world (we’ll get on to that) but it has been around since 1996. This race has its own legacy at Meydan Racecourse and attracts 100,000+ people every year.

 

Much like the rest of the sporting world, the Arabian countries are becoming serious players in the space, and with horse racing growing even bigger over there, this race could become an absolute monster in the future.

 

Saudi Cup

 

The biggest prize pool in racing comes from the Saudi Cup. $30.5m is on offer for this race and it’s no surprise to see the biggest names in horse racing here. The Saudi Cup started in 2020 with a prize pool of $10m and just two years later it grew to the $30.5m prize pool which is on offer to this day.

 

Considering this race is still in its early stages, we could see some absurd amounts of money on offer for this race. The current capacity is around 63,000 for this event which is impressive for a race that’s only three years old and you’re looking at viewing figures of around 6.5 million, expect this one to absolutely rocket someday.