Horse racing is one of the most exciting sports to follow in the world, as the action can take you across the globe. Racing is popular in all four corners, with each nation boasting a standout event annually that will capture the imagination of fans looking to take in a new experience.
All racetracks are situated in different forms, with each having their own stories to tell. But, what are some of the best racecourses in the world that fans of the sport must visit at least once?
Churchill Downs
There are few more famous racecourses on the planet than Churchill Downs. The track is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it has been welcoming fans to watch some of the best horses in training since 1875.
Churchill Downs plays host to one of the most famous races on the calendar, with the Kentucky Derby taking place annually at the start of May. You can find the results for past Kentucky Derbies here: twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/results/
This huge race for horses aged three kicks off the Triple Crown series in the United States, with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes being staged afterwards.
Furthermore, the track has had the honour of hosting the Breeders’ Cup on nine separate occasions: most recently in November 2018. As well as the Kentucky Derby, the track also hosts eight further Grade 1 races annually, which includes the Clark Handicap, Beverly D. Stakes, and the Kentucky Oaks.
Cheltenham
There are few more famous racecourses in the United Kingdom than Cheltenham. This track is located at Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire, and it first staged racing in 1815.
However, it is revered in this modern day for being the home of National Hunt racing, with the first jumps race taking place at the track in 1834. The biggest racing event on the calendar each year in the UK is staged in mid-March when the Cheltenham Festival is staged. Each day features a championship race, with stars taking to the track to compete in races such as the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, and Stayers’ Hurdle.
However, the big race of the week comes in the form of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is revered as the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing. Some of the best horses in history have won the top prize in the Grade 1, including Best Mate, Arkle, and Kauto Star.
Flemington
One of the most famous racecourses in Australia can be found at Flemington. It is one of the picturesque locations in the world for racing, with the track located next to the Maribyrnong River.
Flemington was first opened to the public in 1840, before it was leased to the Victoria Turf Club eight years later. The track hosts some of the biggest races on the calendar throughout the season, with over 120,000 fans able to attend a day at the track. A total of 14 Group 1s are held at Flemington throughout the season, which includes the Australian Guineas, Newmarket Handicap, and the Victoria Derby.
However, the standout race at the track every year is the Melbourne Cup, which is staged annually in early November. This Group 1 is one the world’s richest turf races, with a purse of over A$8 million up for grabs. There have been some legendary performances in the race throughout history, with Makybe Diva being the only victor to have recorded three victories in the world famous race.
Santa Anita Park
A track that features prominently on every racing fans bucket list is Santa Anita Park in California. This track is one of the most scenic racecourses on the planet, with visitors able to bask in the warm temperatures throughout the year while watching some of the world’s best equine stars. Santa Anita was first opened on Christmas Day in 1934, and it now plays host to some of the most lucrative and prestigious races in North America under the ownership of the Stronach Group.
Santa Anita also has the esteemed honour of having held the Breeders’ Cup more frequently than most other tracks, with the 2023 event being its eleventh time hosting the event. A total of 13 Grade 1 races are held at Santa Anita throughout the season, which includes the American Oaks, Awesome Again Stakes, and the Santa Anita Handicap. One of the key races on the Santa Anita schedule is the Santa Anita Derby, which is one of the most important prep races for the Kentucky Derby. That is shown based on the fact that ten Derby winners have also won this major prep race. That also includes Winning Colors in 1988, who remains the only filly in history to win both huge Grade 1 races. It promises to be another key trial for the Kentucky Derby contenders this year when the race is run on Saturday, April 6. Nonetheless, the future of the track might be in danger, as the current owners are thinking of selling or closing.
