Top 15 Biggest Horse Races

By betting volume - 2025 Analysis

Each year, the world’s greatest horse races attract billions of dollars in wagers from casual punters and seasoned bettors alike. From the Grand National’s national obsession in the UK to Japan’s fan-voted Arima Kinen, betting turnover reflects not only sporting appeal but also cultural scale.

Below, we profile the 15 races that generate the most betting action globally, including estimated turnover figures, prize money, and fun facts.

OUR OFFERS
An image from the spectators angle of watching a horse race similar to the Grand National

Grand National,
Kentucky Derby, Arima Kinen, Melbourne Cup & Breeders’ Cup Classic

 1.             Grand National: Aintree, Liverpool (UK)

·     Overview: Britain’s most-bet race, combining tradition and chaos with global appeal.

·     Estimated Betting: £150m–£250m on the race in 2025.

·     Prize Money: £1m total (winner: £500,000).

·     Fun Fact: 101,000+ bets per minute were recorded during the run-up to the 2024 race.

 

2.             Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs (USA)

·     Overview: America’s most-wagered horse race and the ‘most exciting two minutes in sports’.

·     Estimated Betting: $234.4m on the race, $349m on Derby Day, $473.9m Derby Week (2025).

·     Prize Money: $5m purse (winner: $3.1m).

·     Fun Fact: Japan’s involvement and coming led pools boosted international liquidity.

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3.             Arima Kinen: Nakayama (Japan)

·     Overview: A fan-voted ‘All-Star’ race and the world’s single most-bet horse race.

·     Estimated Betting: ¥54.6bn ($383m, 2023); reports suggest $500m+ in 2024.

·     Prize Money: ¥1.08bn (winner ¥500m).

·     Fun Fact: Fans vote for the runners each year, creating an emotional nationwide spectacle.

 

4.             Melbourne Cup: Flemington (Australia)

·     Overview: ‘The race that stops a nation’, Australia’s biggest gambling day of the year.

·     Estimated Betting: A$223.8m on the race; A$724.1m across the Carnival (2021 benchmark).

·     Prize Money: A$8m purse (winner A$4.4m).

·     Fun Fact: Even non-punters bet in office sweeps; 80%+ of adults place a wager.

 

5.             Breeders’ Cup Classic (World Championships): USA

·     Overview: The flagship of a two-day global festival attracting elite horses from Europe, Japan & US.

·     Estimated Betting: $203.7m (two-day 2024 meeting).

·     Prize Money: $6m (Classic race).

·     Fun Fact: Breeders’ Cup was the first major US meeting to pioneer commingled international pools.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Hong Kong Cup, Epsom Derby, The Everest & Belmont Stakes

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6.             Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Paris Long champ (France)

·     Overview: Europe’s richest turf race and PMU betting giant.

·     Estimated Betting: €39.2m PMU turnover on Arc Day (2024).

·     Prize Money: €5m purse (winner €2.85m).

·     Fun Fact: The Arc’s timing bridges European and Asian betting windows.

 

7.             Hong Kong Cup (HKIR): Sha Tin (Hong Kong)

·     Overview: Part of the Hong Kong International Races, drawing global attention via World Pool.

·     Estimated Betting: US$60.9m commingled international handle (2024 HKIR card).

·     Prize Money: HK$36m total (Cup HK$34m).

·     Fun Fact: HKIR day turnover is among the top five annual global betting events.

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8.             Epsom Derby: Epsom Downs (UK)

·     Overview: The UK’s premier flat race; a World Pool staple.

·     Estimated Betting: £5.5m World Pool on the race (2025).

·     Prize Money: £1.5m total (winner £850,000).

·     Fun Fact: The race dates to 1780 and inspired countless ‘Derby’ events worldwide.

 

9.             The Everest: Royal Randwick (Australia)

·     Overview: World’s richest turf sprint and betting blockbuster.

·     Estimated Betting: Record World Pool turnover (2025); HK$284.3m

·     Prize Money: A $20m (winner A$7m).

·     Fun Fact: Slot-holders pay A$700,000 for entry, creating 12 privately-owned starting spots.

 

10.            Belmont Stakes: NYRA (USA)

·     Overview: The 1½-mile Triple Crown decider; betting peaks during live TC bids.

·     Estimated Betting: $60.9m on race; $125.7m on day (2024).

·     Prize Money: $2m purse (winner $1m).

·     Fun Fact: 2024 run at Saratoga; attendance and handle hit modern records.

An image from the spectator view of watching a race similar to the Kentucky Derby in the USA
An image from the spectator angle watching a horse race in Japan similar to the Arima Kinen

Preakness Stakes, Dubai World Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Japan Cup & Royal Ascot

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11.             Preakness Stakes: Pimlico (USA)

·     Overview: Middle jewel of the US Triple Crown.

·     Estimated Betting: $57.9m (2024).

·     Prize Money: $2m purse.

·     Fun Fact: Bet volumes jump 15–20% when a Triple Crown bid is alive.

 

12.             Dubai World Cup: Meydan (UAE)

·     Overview: World’s richest single racing night, now linked to World Pool for global bets.

·     Estimated Betting: HK$472.4m (US$60.8m) combined Meydan + Randwick WP (2025).

·     Prize Money: $12m Cup race; $35m night total.

·     Fun Fact: Time-zone pairing with Randwick boosted global commingled liquidity.

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13.             Cheltenham Gold Cup: Cheltenham (UK)

·     Overview: Jump racing’s crown jewel and biggest UK betting event after the Grand National.

·     Estimated Betting: £500m+ Festival total; Gold Cup day tops £100m in bets.

·     Prize Money: Prize money: £625,000 total (winner £350,000).

·     Fun Fact: Over 260,000 pints of Guinnesss old during Festival week.

 

14.             Japan Cup: Tokyo (Japan)

·     Overview: Global turf showdown; Japan’s richest international invitational.

·     Estimated Betting: Comparable to late-season G1s (~¥50bn).

·     Prize Money: ¥864m total (winner ¥500m).

·     Fun Fact: Overseas horses earn bonus payouts for placing in the top three.

 

15.             Royal Ascot (QEII Jubilee Stakes / Feature Days): Ascot (UK)

·     Overview: Britain’s most prestigious week; multiple World Pool records.

·     Estimated Betting: £6.5m single-race WP record (QEII Jubilee 2023); £150m 5-day total (2025).

·     Prize Money: Prize money: £10m + total across five days.

·     Fun Fact: 300,000+ attendees, plus syndicate punters from 20+ nations via World Pool.

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www.casinojester.co.uk
An image from the spectator angle watching a race similar to the Prix de Arc de Triomphe in Paris

OVERVIEW

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Horse racing’s global betting calendar proves that the sport’s popularity goes far beyond the track. From the chaos of the Grand National to Japan’s disciplined precision at the Arima Kinen, the world’s top races inspire record-breaking wagering every season. Advances in commingled pools and World Pool partnerships now make it easier than ever for fans on different continents to bet into the same markets, a true globalisation of the turf.

Looking to back a winner? Compare UK-licensed bookmakers offering enhanced odds and live streams for the world’s biggest races.

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www.casinojester.co.uk

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