The world of horse racing is full of prestigious events combining tradition, elegance, and adrenaline. Whether in Europe, the United States, Australia, or the Middle East, these competitions attract the best thoroughbreds and jockeys on the planet. But behind the pomp and prestige, races are also sometimes at the center of controversies, between serious injuries, doping, and the uncertain future of retired horses.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (France)
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, held every first Sunday of October at Longchamp racecourse in Paris, is one of the most prestigious flat races in the world. Created in 1920, it pits the best thoroughbreds aged three years and older against each other over a distance of 2,400 meters (about 1½ miles) on turf.
Often nicknamed the “World Championship of flat racing,” it is the flagship event of the European season and attracts competitors from England, Ireland, Japan, and the United States. With a total prize pool of 5 million euros in 2023, including 2.857 million euros for the winner, it is one of the most lucrative races in Europe.
Kentucky Derby (United States)
The Kentucky Derby, run every first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, is the most famous race in the United States. Created in 1875, it is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
This 2,000-meter (1+1⁄4 miles) dirt track race is reserved for three-year-old horses and attracts more than 150,000 spectators on-site. Nicknamed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” it is also an unmissable cultural event, where spectators wear extravagant hats and enjoy the famous official cocktail, the mint julep (made with bourbon and mint). Its total prize money amounts to 5 million dollars, with 3.1 million for the winner.
Melbourne Cup (Australia)
“The race that stops a nation”: this nickname well illustrates the importance of the Melbourne Cup in Australia. Run every first Tuesday of November over 3,200 meters (1 mi 1,740 yd) on turf, this endurance race takes place at Flemington, in Melbourne. Created in 1861, it is open to horses aged three years and older and attracts a global audience.
It has a prize pool of 8.4 million Australian dollars (approximately 5 million euros), making it one of the most rewarding races. It’s also a major social event, where fashion plays a central role with elegance competitions, in a very festive atmosphere. Makybe Diva holds the record for victories with three consecutive wins (2003, 2004, 2005).
Royal Ascot Races (United Kingdom)
The Royal Ascot Races, held annually in June, are the unmissable event of British racing. Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, they take place over five days at Ascot Racecourse, attended by the British Royal Family.
This prestigious event features several major races, including the Gold Cup, a 4,000-meter endurance race that is the highlight of “Ladies’ Day.” Ascot is also famous for its strict dress code, where extravagant hats and elegant attire are mandatory. The event offers more than £9.5 million (over 11 million euros) in total prize money.
Dubai World Cup (United Arab Emirates)
Created in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai World Cup is the world’s richest horse race. It is held every last Saturday of March over 2,000 meters on dirt at Meydan Racecourse, an ultra-modern venue that can accommodate 60,000 spectators, with an integrated luxury hotel and panoramic grandstands.
For this race alone, the total prize money is $12 million, with $7.2 million for the winner. The Dubai World Cup attracts the world’s best horses and has seen legendary champions like Cigar (1996) and Thunder Snow (2018, 2019), the only horse to have won it twice. It is part of Dubai World Cup Night, which includes a total of nine races, totaling $30.5 million in prizes.
The Other Side of the Medal: The Question of Animal Welfare
While horse racing fascinates with its prestige, it is also criticized for the risks it poses to horses. Each year, several hundred of them die in competition: in France, 135 horses died on racetracks in 2019, mainly due to fractures or cardiac arrests. In the United States, where dirt tracks increase pressure on joints, nearly 500 horses die each year on circuits.
The issue of doping remains concerning: the use of substances like Lasix, meant to prevent pulmonary hemorrhages, can mask injuries and push horses beyond their limits. As for the use of the whip, many countries have begun to regulate it: in Great Britain, its use is now limited to six strikes per race, and in France, excessive use can lead to sanctions.
Finally, the rehabilitation of racehorses remains a sensitive issue: in Australia, a 2019 investigation revealed that nearly 4,000 retired thoroughbreds “disappear,” suggesting they were sent to slaughterhouses, despite regulations meant to ensure their monitoring. Faced with these criticisms, the horse racing industry is trying to reform its practices, but economic pressure and industry traditions still hinder major changes.