Race↕ | Location↕ | Distance↕ | First Run↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kentucky Derby | Louisville, Kentucky, USA | 1.25 miles | 1875 | Run for the Roses, mint juleps, outrageous hats, 'most exciting two minutes in sports' |
Royal Ascot | Ascot, Berkshire, England | Various | 1711 | Royal family attendance, strict dress code, Gold Cup, high society event of the year |
Melbourne Cup | Melbourne, Australia | 3,200m | 1861 | 'The race that stops a nation', public holiday in Melbourne, spring carnival fashion |
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe | Paris, France | 2,400m | 1920 | Europe's richest turf race, autumn classic at Longchamp, international showdown |
Epsom Derby | Epsom, Surrey, England | 1.5 miles | 1780 | The original 'Derby', all other derbies named after it, grueling Tattenham Corner |
Preakness Stakes | Baltimore, Maryland, USA | 1.1875 miles | 1873 | Second leg of Triple Crown, Black-Eyed Susans, infield party chaos |
Belmont Stakes | Elmont, New York, USA | 1.5 miles | 1867 | Third leg of Triple Crown, 'Test of the Champion', longest of the three |
Dubai World Cup | Dubai, UAE | 2,000m | 1996 | World's richest horse race ($12M purse), Meydan Racecourse, desert glamour |
Grand National | Liverpool, England | 4 miles 514 yards | 1839 | 30 fences, Becher's Brook, massive upset potential, UK's biggest betting race |
Breeders' Cup Classic | Various (USA) | 1.25 miles | 1984 | Year-end championship, rotates venues, 'World Thoroughbred Championships' |
Japan Cup | Tokyo, Japan | 2,400m | 1981 | Asia's premier race, Tokyo Racecourse, 100,000+ attendance, international field |
The Everest | Sydney, Australia | 1,200m | 2017 | World's richest turf sprint, slot-based entry system, Sydney Harbour projections |
Cheltenham Gold Cup | Cheltenham, England | 3 miles 2½ furlongs | 1924 | National Hunt racing's Super Bowl, Irish invasion, Cheltenham Festival atmosphere |
Saudi Cup | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 1,800m | 2020 | $20M purse (world's richest), King Abdulaziz Racecourse, oil-money spectacle |
Kentucky Oaks | Louisville, Kentucky, USA | 1.125 miles | 1875 | Fillies-only race, 'Lilies for the Fillies', day-before-Derby tradition, pink theme |
Free to explore · No signup needed
Frequently asked questions
How is the Famous Horse Races list ranked?
The Famous Horse Races list is ranked by community votes. Every visitor can pick one option over another in head-to-head matchups, and the running totals determine the order you see. No editors or algorithms — just real people voting.
How many entries are in this Famous Horse Races dataset?
This dataset contains 15 entries, each with multiple sortable, filterable columns. The full table is visible on this page and can be downloaded as a CSV, JSON, or Excel file.
Can I download the Famous Horse Races data?
Yes. The download buttons at the top of the page give you the full 15-row dataset as CSV, JSON, or Excel. Use of the data is permitted under a Creative Commons Attribution license — credit dtbse.com when you republish.
Related Datasets
More in Sports
Tennis Players
20 of the greatest tennis players — who's the GOAT of the court?
Longevity & Health Protocols
Longevity & Health Protocols (The Biohackers)
FIFA World Cup Hosts
Every edition of the FIFA World Cup from 1930 to 2026 with host countries, winners, and tournament statistics.
Tennis Grand Slam Winners
All-time leading Grand Slam singles title winners in men's and women's tennis.
World Records in Weightlifting
Current world records in Olympic weightlifting.
Fitness Supplements
Fitness Supplements (The Daily Routine)
Greatest Athletes of All Time
The 25 greatest athletes of all time across all sports, from Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali to Usain Bolt and Lionel Messi.
MotoGP Greatest Riders
The greatest MotoGP and Grand Prix motorcycle racing champions of all time.
Olympic Weightlifting Records
World records in Olympic weightlifting categories.
Cricket National Teams
Major international cricket teams with ODI rankings, World Cup wins, and key players.
All-Time Olympic Medal Table
Countries ranked by total Olympic medals won across all games.
Martial Arts Styles
Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai — which martial art is the most effective and rewarding to learn?