RacingBetter News
	Friday 26th November 2021

Horse Racing Around the World

Horse racing is a classic. In fact, it is perhaps the most classic of all sports. While the sport is obviously alive and well in its modern form, we normally think of Victorian dress and aristocrats. This is no longer the case, but it still speaks to the way we associate horse racing with English culture and Kentucky, with its heavy influence from Great Britain.

This would be a misconception today. Not only are horse racing fans all over the world, but increasingly actual races are happening all over the globe. Also, horse racing bettors are logging on from nearly every country in the world. Plus, contemporary bettors are modernizing horse racing with cryptocurrencies.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest races from around the globe that are in neither England nor the United States.

The Sheema Classic

Open to thoroughbred horse fours years or older, the Sheema Classic is a flat horse race that takes place in the United Arab Emirates. It has quickly become of the most prestigious horse races in the world, in the long, though the lesser-known, tradition of horse racing in the Arab world.

It is part of a growing trend of major sporting events moving to emerge Arab economies. One of the biggest examples is the upcoming Men’s FIFA World Cup. Unlike previous World Cups, this one will take place during the winter months to make it through the heat.

There are also more and more horse racing bettors in Arab Countries. You can even use this guide to find the best horse racing betting sites in Arab countries. They lay out the steps you can take to sign up and place horse racing bets at these sites. Many of them even have the option to live stream races. Not only do they list the best horse racing betting sites in Arab countries, but they also have information on how horse racing odds work and the different types of bets that you can make.

The purse for the Sheema Classic is gigantic. It is worth $6 million and generally runs in March of every year. The Meydan Racecourse in Dubai has hosted the Sheema Classic since 1998. The stadium seats over 80,000 people who come to watch this giant horse racing event every year. 

The Japan Cup

Japan is almost certainly not the first country you think of when you are talking about horse racing. However, one of the biggest horse races in the world takes place at the Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan. This 2,400-meter race takes place on the last Sunday of every November.

The Japan Cup is no pipsqueak. It has a purse of $5,800,000. Inaugurated in 1981, the Japan Cup has quickly established itself as one of the most internationally prestigious races. They have had winners from France, the UK, Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, and Japan.

In fact, the Japan Cup is the second-richest turf horse race after the Melbourne Cup. This became true with the economic crisis of 2008 that changed the value of the Yen, helping the Japan Cup surpass the Prix l’Arc de Triomphe, which is officially the third-richest turf horse race in the world.

Melbourne Cup

The most famous annual thoroughbred horse race in Australia is the Melbourne Cup. Thoroughbreds that are at least three years old gallop 3,200 meters, as they compete in the richest turf horse race in the world. It is currently held at the Remington Racecourse.

It may be a surprise to know that so many important races happen in places like Australia, but there are lots of fans in the Down Under. In fact, this race is known in Australia as the “race that stops the nation.” That is because it grabs so much media attention every year since 1861 when it was first inaugurated.

With so much attention every year, it is a wonder how some are asking if horse racing has a future at all. This really speaks to the big break between the traditional horse racing countries and the up-and-comers. 

Unlike most other prestigious horse races, this one tends to be won by Australian horses. Despite the allowance of foreign horses, they tend not to be very successful. Perhaps it is due to the distance, or to the difficult conditions of running in Australia. Only three foreign trades if they have been successful here, including two Irish.

As you can see, horse racing has spread all over the globe in the last few decades. Do not be surprised to see world-class races springing up in even more locations.