Top 15 Horse Racing Events in the World 2025 – Don’t Miss These Majors

When it comes to spectacle, few sports offer the drama, tradition, and global reach of horse racing. In 2025, the calendar is stacked with events that go far beyond the racetrack.

We’re talking about cultural institutions, royal rituals, massive prize pools, and moments that can redefine a jockey’s or horse’s career forever.

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to attend in person or tune in from home, here’s your guide to the can’t-miss races that matter most this year.

1. Kentucky Derby – May 3, 2025

It’s an American tradition. Held on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby has been running since 1875. For many, it’s the only horse race they watch all year.

Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports“, it draws over 150,000 people to Churchill Downs and an audience of more than 16 million on TV.

Beyond the track, the Derby is all about pageantry. Expect extravagant hats, mint juleps, and a sea of seersucker suits. But it’s the racing that holds attention; this is the first step toward the Triple Crown, and a win here can instantly launch a horse into legend.

2. Preakness Stakes – May 17, 2025

Just two weeks after the Derby, the Triple Crown spotlight shifts to Baltimore. The Preakness Stakes, founded in 1873, may be shorter than the Derby but often delivers tighter, faster races.

Known for its yellow floral tribute, black-eyed Susans draped over the winner, the Preakness carries enormous stakes, especially if a Derby winner is looking to keep the Triple Crown dream alive.

3. Belmont Stakes – June 7 or 14, 2025

They don’t call it “The Test of the Champion” for nothing. At 1.5 miles, the Belmont Stakes is the longest of the three American classics, requiring endurance that separates good horses from great ones.

For fans, Belmont is often the climax of the season. If a single horse wins both the Derby and Preakness, Belmont becomes the biggest race of the year. Only 13 horses have ever completed the sweep.

4. Breeders’ Cup – November 7–8, 2025

Think of the Breeders’ Cup as the season finale. It’s a two-day whirlwind of Grade 1 races, 14 in total, with the Breeders’ Cup Classic as the headline act. With horses flying in from Europe, Asia, and across the U.S., the event has become a true world championship.

The Classic alone carries a $6 million purse, and the total prize pool across both days regularly exceeds $30 million.

It’s a betting paradise too: nearly every race has wide-open fields and juicy odds.

5. Grand National – April 3–5, 2025

This is steeplechasing at its rawest. The Grand National is known for its punishing 30-fence course, including infamous obstacles like Becher’s Brook and The Chair.

First run in 1839, the race has a global cult following, with around 600 million tuning in from all over the world.

Betting on the Grand National is a national pastime in the UK; even non-fans get involved. You don’t need to know the form to get swept up in the tension and unpredictability.

6. Cheltenham Festival – March 11–14, 2025

If you’re into jump racing, Cheltenham is the one to watch. Spread across four days and 28 races, it features the best National Hunt talent, culminating in the Gold Cup. The festival draws a quarter-million fans in person and millions more via broadcast.

There’s also a unique sound to Cheltenham – the “Cheltenham roar” that erupts at the start of the first race each day. It’s part of what makes the festival feel less like a sporting event and more like a ritual.

7. Royal Ascot – June 17–21, 2025

Fashion. Royals. World-class racing. Royal Ascot has it all. Over five days, it showcases premier flat races, including the Gold Cup and Diamond Jubilee Stakes, while also acting as a catwalk for British high society. The Queen may no longer attend, but the royal procession is still part of the tradition.

Each day of racing feels like an event within an event. With strict dress codes and top-tier international horses, Royal Ascot stands in a league of its own.

8. Melbourne Cup – November 4, 2025

Known as “the race that stops a nation,” the Melbourne Cup isn’t just Australia’s biggest race; it’s a full-blown holiday in the state of Victoria. Offices shut down.

Parties spring up across the country. All eyes lock on Flemington for one of the most competitive staying handicaps in the world.

The Cup’s international appeal has grown, too. Horses from Japan, Ireland, and the UK regularly challenge Australia’s best.

Tip: If you’re curious about current betting prices, check out Melbourne Cup Odds.

9. Dubai World Cup – March 29, 2025

Money talks, and the Dubai World Cup speaks loudly. With a $12 million purse, it’s one of the richest races in the sport. Staged under the lights at Meydan, the event brings the glamor and wealth of Dubai front and center.

Expect elite dirt runners from the U.S., Japan, and Europe. The atmosphere is electric, and the competition is as sharp as it gets.

10. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – October 5, 2025

Flat racing doesn’t get more prestigious than the Arc. Held at Longchamp since 1920, it’s Europe’s top middle-distance test. The winner usually earns a strong case for Horse of the Year honors globally.

The race often features a clash of generations – seasoned older horses against rising three-year-olds. Add in the Parisian backdrop, and it’s one of the most visually stunning events on the calendar.

11. Saudi Cup – February 22, 2025

No typo. The Saudi Cup really does offer a jaw-dropping $20 million purse. That makes it the richest race in the world by far. Launched in 2020, it has quickly become a magnet for elite horses from every major racing region.

Held under lights on a dirt surface, it delivers high-stakes drama with global bragging rights on the line.

12. Epsom Derby – June 6–7, 2025

One of the oldest and most influential races in the sport, the Epsom Derby has been shaping bloodlines since 1780. It’s a critical part of the English Triple Crown and a massive draw for breeders, bettors, and racing purists alike.

The track itself, with its undulating terrain and sweeping turn, adds a technical layer that tests even the best three-year-olds.

13. The Everest – October 11 or 18, 2025

Sprint racing gets its due here. The Everest, launched in 2017, has quickly built a reputation as the world’s richest turf sprint. The slot system, where ownership groups buy their way into the field, adds a layer of strategy and tension.

Held during the Sydney Spring Carnival, it’s a relatively new race with the swagger of a long-time major.

14. Qatar Goodwood Festival – July 29–August 2, 2025

Goodwood lives up to its nickname, “Glorious Goodwood.” Set against the backdrop of the South Downs, it’s a scenic and relaxed contrast to Royal Ascot’s pomp. Don’t let that fool you, as racing quality is top-tier, especially in the Sussex Stakes and Goodwood Cup.

The setting makes it perfect for newcomers to live racing. It’s laid-back but still intensely competitive.

15. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – July 26, 2025

Held at midsummer, this race often pits three-year-olds from the Derby against older horses prepping for the Arc. It’s a real showdown of stamina, speed, and class.

The King George at Ascot is one of the most respected middle-distance races in the world and regularly features Arc winners or contenders.

Tips for Watching, Betting, and Booking

• Booking Tickets: Secure early through official sites like Churchill Downs, Racing NSW, or Ascot. Premium options often sell out months in advance.
• Broadcast & Streaming: NBC Sports (US), ITV (UK), Channel 7 (Australia), and international networks carry most of the major races. Check ahead – many offer online streams now.
• Betting Insights: TwinSpires, FanDuel, and TAB (Australia) publish race-day analysis, odds, and expert picks. For big events, betting handles can reach hundreds of millions – $400 million just for the Melbourne Cup.

Final Thoughts

Horse racing in 2025 is global, high-stakes, and full of unforgettable moments. Whether you’re in the stands at Churchill Downs, watching late at night from Sydney, or following odds on your phone before the Saudi Cup, the year’s biggest races deliver history.

Plan your calendar, check your streams, and maybe place a small bet or two. The biggest stage in horse racing is set.