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Most Popular Horse Racing Regions Across the World

Although we think of horse racing being big in the UK, Ireland – and maybe Australia and New Zealand, horse races happen all over the world, with bookmakers such as Boylesports betting covering all of the best UK, Ireland and international races and events.

Although many of the most well-recognised horse races take part in the UK, US and Australia, it is also very popular in countries such as France, Japan and even the United Arab Emirates.

Here, we are going to look at the best regions for the sport in the world – as well as the biggest and best races in these regions.

Horse Racing in the UK, US and Australia

Horse racing is very popular and important in these regions of the world. Every year, thousands of horse races take place in the UK – many gaining plenty of attention across the world. One of the most-watched races in the world is the Aintree Grand National. It also has British Classics – some of the oldest and most prestigious races in history and, of course, the Cheltenham Festival.

In the US, there are lots of horse races every year. However, there are really four main races that everyone tends to know about – the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes – all combined to make up the Triple Crown Series. There is also the Breeder’s Cup, the fourth most important race in the states held annually.

Australia is also home to numerous horse races every year. The biggest of all is the Melbourne Cup, so popular that it is dubbed the ‘Race that Stops a Nation’. It has one of the biggest prize pools in thoroughbred racing.

European Horse Racing

Europe is home to several countries that enjoy horse racing – including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. However, the main racing country for horse racing in mainland Europe is France. This is home to a number of big races such as the Prix du Jockey Club, the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix de Diane. However, the biggest is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – the richest race in Europe and the second richest in the world. It is held each year at the Longchamp Racecourse, Paris.

Asia Horse Racing

Horse racing is very popular in a number of Asian countries – and it is home to some huge races. The most popular regions in Asia for horse racing are Hong Kong, the UAE and Japan. However, there are also races in Singapore, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and India.

Indeed, Japan is one of the world’s leading nations for horse racing with over 20,000 races taking place every year. This includes flat races, jump races and their unique Ban’ei style, where the horses pull sleds. The prize money up for grabs in Japanese major races is more than in any other region in the world. Their most important race, the Japan Club, is the world’s richest turf race.

Horse racing is also big in the UAE – even though gambling isn’t allowed. Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse is the biggest racetrack in the world – a complex full of restaurants – and even a hotel, museum and theatre. It is also home to the Dubai World Cup – the richest horse race in the world with a $10 million prize purse.

Horse racing also has a long history in Hong Kong – with the Hong Kong Jockey Club the oldest sporting institution in the region, formed in 1884. There are 2 racecourses with over 700 annual events.

Africa Horse Racing

Not known for its horse racing, Africa has two regions that do enjoy the sport – South Africa and Mauritius. In fact, it is the most popular sport in Mauritius and its only course is the Champ de Mars Racecourse, which hosts numerous classic events each year.

South Africa has also enjoyed horse racing since the start of the 19th Century and its biggest race, the Durban July Handicap, attracts over 50,000 each year.