With all the excitement over Winx winning her last ever race, it is little wonder that the nation has gone a little bit horse-crazy over recent weeks. Yet while the sport in Australia might have been dominated by one name over recent years, there is a whole world of horse racing out there to be discovered.
If you feel in the mood to explore your new found fondness for the racecourse next time you are on your travels, here are some of the top events from every corner of the globe that you need to consider.
The Kentucky Derby
Like the Super Bowl or the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby is one of those American sporting institutions that everyone has heard of. For those more accustomed to horse racing Australia, the experience will come as something of a culture shock. For one thing, the sheer scale of the event has to be seen to be believed. It typically attracts crowds of 15,000 or more spectators. Secondly, the race itself is shorter than you might expect. This is how it earned the tagline “the greatest two minutes in sport.” This year’s race will take place on 04 May, and as usual, it will be run at the historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Grand National
To borrow a cricketing analogy, the Grand National is a test match to the Kentucky Derby’s T20 Blast. Run over a distance of more than four miles, the race takes around 10 minutes to complete, and is one of the most challenging and gruelling in the world. This year, Tiger Roll became only the second horse in the event’s 180 year history to win the race in back to back years. There is already talk of him running yet again next year to make it an unprecedented three in a row, so start thinking about booking your tickets now! The Grand National takes place at Aintree and next year’s race will be run on 04 April.
The Nakayama Grand Jump
Japan has developed something of an obsession with horse racing over recent decades and the Nakayama Grand Jump is the nation’s showpiece event of the year. It is run at Nakayama Racecourse, which is renowned for its twists, turns and changes in gradient. Unlike some of the big races on this list, the Nakayama Grand Jump is seen as an informal and family friendly day out. Tickets are inexpensive, so if your travel takes you to Japan next April, it is well worth a look.
Dubai World Cup
As a city with a reputation as being a playground for the wealthy, Dubai simply has to host a serious big-money horse race. The $10 million winner’s purse is the biggest prize in the world, and Meydan race course is probably the most lavish venue. You can watch all the action from either the luxury grandstand, or perhaps from your own suite at the trackside hotel. For an outrageous, unforgettable experience this one is impossible to beat. Next year’s event is scheduled to take place on 28 March.
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