Horse racing has long been a popular sport but it’s not just in the UK that fans of racing reside. It’s a globally admired sport and some of the biggest races in the world take place in the likes of France, Australia, and the Middle East, to name just a few. But which destinations show the highest support of racing?
UK
In the UK, horse racing is one of the oldest sports, as well as one of the best-loved. It’s second only to football in terms of spectators and it’s also incredibly popular for betting. Over the course of the year, there are races held around the country on virtually every single day, including the Grand National, the Epsom Derby, and the Royal Ascot. A large reason why horse racing is so popular here is due to the involvement of betting, but many people enjoy watching the races for the entertainment of the races too.
If you’re a betting man, these tips on the winners enclosure will surely make you a pretty penny.
Middle East
Racing is a huge sport in the UAE, even though gambling is illegal there, with the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai widely considered to be the largest in the world. The Dubai World Cup is held here which is one of the richest horse races in the world, with a purse of $10 million, but there’s a long history of racing here that dates back to centuries.
Australia
One of the most popular sports in Australia is thoroughbred horse racing, with only football and rugby bringing in larger crowds throughout the year. There are more than 300 racecourses in the country, more than any other country in the world, and only the US has more horses starting races annually. Most of the races here are flat races, but there are jumps racing as well in Victoria and South Australia. Included in the list of races held in Australia is the Melbourne Cup, known as the ‘race that stops a nation’.
France
France is one of the leading countries in Europe for horse racing and many of the top events take place here. The most famous and important of all of these is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is not only the richest race in Europe but is also the second richest turf race globally. Held at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, this prestigious event is what racing in France is known for. But there are other important races held in France, including the Grand Prix de Paris, the Prix de Diane, and the Prix du Jockey Club.
America
Horse racing is a huge spectator sport in the US, both in terms of attendance but also for gambling. The origins of the sport here date back to the mid-1600s in New York State. Over time, it’s become one of the best-loved sports in the country, with many of the racetracks here supporting as many as 100,000 seats. It’s believed that the horse racing market is worth upwards of $115 billion every year and with this much money changing hands, it’s no surprise that the US features on this list.
