As the horse racing season starts, horse racing betting fans and industry professionals will all be looking for the best horse races and events in the world. Those in the UK will be looking at more local events, such as Cheltenham, the Grand National, Ireland’s Galway Races and Ascot races. However, although these are considered by many to be some of the biggest events in the world – with the most fans and the most money, there is also a lot of action in other regions of the world.
Some of the most prestigious and richest horse racing festivals and events now take place in different countries in the world – giving even more opportunities for horses, jockeys and industry professionals from all over the world. Let’s look at some of the best regions for horse racing in the world outside of the UK and Ireland.
France
Like the UK, France has a history in horse racing that goes back for centuries, with the oldest racetrack in Europe being France’s Chantilly Racecourse. The horse racing industry in the country is worth about $3.7 billion per year. However, it is slightly less active than some of the other top regions on our list, with most of the money coming from a select number of more prestigious events. Some of the most popular are the Grand Prix de Paris, the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp and the world-famous Prix del’Arc de Triomphe
Australia
Fans of horse racing and horse racing betting in the UK are probably already reasonably familiar with Australian horse racing, given the number of thoroughbreds that head down, every year, to Oz to compete. The country enjoys a $3.7 billion annual horse racing market, with well-known events and races such as the Sydney Golden Slipper and the race that stops the nation – the Melbourne Cup. Moreover, since 2017, Australia has also been host to the richest turf race in the world. The Everest race, with its £11 million purse, takes place at the end of the Sydney Spring Carnival every year.
Hong Kong
Although Hong Kong is small, it is mighty when it comes to horse racing. This is a country that is hugely passionate about the sport. Despite having a region of just around 7 million people, its horse racing industry is said to be worth around $6 billion annually – almost completely centred around the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The main Hong Kong track is located in the Happy Valley neighbourhood and is host to more than 700 races every year. It is also the home of the Asian Racing Federation which determines the horse racing rules for the whole of Asia.
USA
When you think of US horse racing, you automatically think of the Kentucky Derby, but it goes much, much deeper than that in the United States. The country boasts an £11 billion a year industry, made up of various prestigious turf events such as the Arkansas Derby, the Breeder’s Cup and the Belmont Stakes. Pundits from all over the world are becoming more and more aware of US horse racing and as such, US horse racing bets and odds are widely available.
Japan
Although not many people outside of Asia really consider Japan when it comes to a popular horse racing region, they would be wrong. Japan, with the third-largest economy in the world, boasts the biggest horse racing market in the world in terms of value, with more than $16 billion in revenue annually. It hosts major events such as the Japan Cup, which used to be the richest turf race in the world, with a prize purse of £4.3 million. Around 21,000 official horse races are held in the country each year, which is more than any other country in the world.
So, for those horse racing industry experts and fans that are looking to expand their reach outside of the UK and Ireland, then these are certainly the regions to look to. The interest in horse racing in these countries is already big and continuing to grow.
