Listed: The Biggest Horse Racing Events In the UK

The UK is viewed by many as the centre for horse racing and there aren’t many people that would argue otherwise. Some of the world’s most popular and most prestigious horse racing events take place in this country and thousands of people from all around the world are more than willing to travel and watch the races live.

Those who can’t, are closely watching the horse racing results each day and are live streaming the events. If there’s one thing that horse racing can provide you with, it’s unique excitement and thrill. To make things even better, the British National Hunt Calendar is packed with events and each race is a must-watch.

With that being said, we decided to provide you with a list of the biggest horse racing events in the UK. If you are new to the sport, then you cannot afford to miss these races as they represent the peak of horse racing. Let’s check them out.

Epsom Derby

First off, we have Epsom Derby, which was established in 1780 and is known simply as "The Derby." This race is open to three-year-old fillies and colts and it takes place at Surrey’s own Epsom Downs racecourse.

This is the richest flat horse race in Britain as its prize purse exceeds £1 million, half of which goes to the winner. Lester Piggot is the leading jockey at this course with 9 wins, whereas Adrian O’Brian is the leading trainer with 8 wins. Epsom Derby has become an important part of the British horse racing history and a 1952 drama film called Derby Day is set around this event.

As for newer appearances, The Derby is also the setting for the finale of the second season of Peaky Blinders. Epsom Derby is being held each year in June.

Royal Ascot

Moving on, we got a horse racing event that also takes place in June each year and is all about glamour, fashion and celebrities in attendance. Royal Ascot first took place in 1839 and its prize purse is among the finest in the world. In 2019, Royal Ascot’s prize reached £7.3 million and there are around 500 horses that are competing in the five-day period and the races are broadcasted to over 200 territories.

Royal Ascot has 4 enclosers, three of which are open to the public:

• Royal Enclosure
• Queen Anne Enclosure
• Windsor Enclosure
• Village Enclosure

Each of these enclosures comes with certain dress codes, except the Windsor Enclosure. On the flip side, the Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code.

Grand National

Grand National is viewed as the Wimbledon of hunt racing and this is arguably the most popular horse racing event in the UK. Its prize money is second to none for single events as it reaches £1 million. It was inaugurated in 1839 and it is estimated that over 500 million people tune in from all around the world to watch it.

This is a handicap steeplechase that is run on 4 miles and 2½ furlongs and the horses jump over 30 fences. The 2022 winner of the Grand National is Noble Yeats and this race takes place in April each year.

One of the things that makes Grand National so respected is the fact that it is one of the rare horse racing events that attract people that are not massive fans of horse races and do not place occasional bets.

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival’s prize money is second only to the Grand National and one of the things that this event is known for, apart from its notable races, is the live atmosphere. Cheltenham takes place in March each year and it hosts 28 races from Tuesday to Friday.

Some of the races that are worth mentioning are:

• Supreme Novices' Hurdle
• Champion Hurdle
• Stayers' Hurdle
• Spa Novices' Hurdle
• Cheltenham Gold Cup
• Queen Mother Champion Chase
• Stayers' Hurdle

Millions of people from all around the world are known for placing bets on this 4-day festival, which takes place at the Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, UK.

Ladbrokes Trophy

Our final listing is the Ladbrokes Trophy, a Grade III steeplechase open to horses over 4 years. Its distance is 3 miles and 2 furlongs and features 21 fences. This event was inaugurated in 1957 under a different name - Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and interestingly enough, it was first staged at Cheltenham.

Its prize purse is £200,000, the race now takes place in Newbury and it is held in late November or early December each year.

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