The Biggest US Horse Racing Events

Horse racing is a relatively niche sport in North America yet the region is home to some of the most iconic racing events on the planet. 

The regulated sport which originated in England, first crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the 1600s as its early races took place in New York in 1665. Ever since a fondness for horse racing has spread to various states and several world-famous events have been established. 

Here we will look at the biggest events on the US horse racing calendar, with some yet to have run their course for 2024.

The Breeders' Cup

The Breeders Cup is a long-awaited event on the calendar each year, as many of the greatest racing talents from across the planet converge at one location. 

The biggest individual race is the Breeders' Cup Classic as it consists solely of champions from qualifying events in different parts of the world.

In this year's racing betting odds on the occasion, Epsom Derby winner City Of Troy is the pick of the favorites at +700, and the horse racing tips suggest UAE Derby winner Forever Young will provide the strongest opposition. 

The Breeders Cup also features races in other formats like turf, the mile-long race, and even an event for fillies and mares on turf. Besides the headline race, its preceding contests look to crown world champions in their regard too.

What makes the Breeders Cup so special besides the prestigious prizes it offers is its rotating hostship. In November of this year, Del Mar Racecourse in California will contain all of the action within its premises, although the location of the annual meeting regularly changes. 

Kentucky Derby Festival

The Kentucky Derby Festival is arguably the US event that is most famous across the wider world - it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. 

The biggest event is what the festival's name was termed from - the Kentucky Derby - it is commonly referred to as the "most exciting two minutes in sports" and a month-long schedule of festivities precedes the main showing.

In the weeks leading up to the Derby, fireworks displays, parades, and air shows all help to make a huge spectacle out of the racing action that takes place primarily over two days at the start of May. 

The Kentucky Oaks is a prominent race that mirrors the British Epsom Oaks as it takes place on the day before the Derby and gets fans prepared for exhilarating high-level action on the opening Saturday in May. 

The Oaks stands alone as one of the most popular races in the US as it attracts around 100,000 spectators each year, although the Derby unsurprisingly topples it as around 165,000 typically pack into Churchill Downs on the festival's biggest day. 

The Travers Stakes

While the Breeders' Cup can boast of leading international participation and the Kentucky Derby can claim to be the most watched event in the US, the Travers Stakes has a strong personal trait of being one of the earliest run races in the nation. 

The race commonly termed the 'Midsummer Derby' first took place in 1864 at Saratoga Racecourse - which is one of the oldest venues across the 50 states - and has continued almost uninterrupted ever since.

Out of the United States' big races that are followed overseas, no event can compare to the historical prestige of the event - which also happens to be one of the leading-ranked races for three-year-olds according to international classifications. 

Ultimately, the US has something for everyone when it comes to its major events. History, diverse representation, and exciting festivities are all themes of the biggest meetings.

Cover Credits - The Star