Horse racing is one of the few sports that has the power to take fans across the world, with many events being staged in all four corners of the globe.
Therefore, it isn’t uncommon for passionate fans of the sport to create a bucket list of venues that they wish to see at least once. Of course, finding a few winners can help fund lifetime trips, with the previous winners of the opening leg of the Triple Crown found here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/winners/.
But, what are some of the venues and races that fans should see live at least once?
Churchill Downs
There is few more iconic horse racing venues in the United States than the home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs. The venue has been synonymous with the sport throughout history, with the track having opened its doors for the first time back in 1875.
It was named in honour of the Churchill family, who were prominent in the state for many years. Undeniably, the Kentucky Derby is the big race in the calendar annually, with horses aged three competing over 1 ¼ miles in the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
It is regarded as the ‘most exciting two minutes in sports’, with legendary horses such as Secretariat, American Pharoah, and Winning Colors all winning the prestigious race.
Ascot
One of the most prestigious horse racing venues in the world comes in the form of Ascot, which is located on the outskirts of London. It is Britain’s most popular venue, attracting over 600,000 fans annually.
A total of 13 of Britain’s 36 Group Ones on the flat are staged at the venue, while three Grade Ones over jumps are held during the winter. The biggest meeting of the year is Royal Ascot, which is one of the UK’s biggest social events on the calendar, with 350,000 people attending annually.
The big race during the five-day meeting is the Ascot Gold Cup, which is run over a staying distance of two miles and three furlongs. Yeats is the most dominant horse in the race, winning four titles between 2006 and 2009 for Aidan O’Brien.
Cheltenham
While Ascot is home to the most prominent fixture on the flat British calendar, the highlight for many on the horse racing fixture list is the four-day Cheltenham Festival, which is held annually in mid-March. The event is popular among British and Irish visitors, with over 200,000 people attending the event every year.
Each day features a Championship Race, with the feature of the week coming the form of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the biggest race on the National Hunt calendar.
Legends of the sport have won the race throughout history, with the roll of honor including greats such as Arkle, Kauto Star, and Denman. A new superstar was born in 2026, as Gaelic Warrior gave Paul Townend and Willie Mullins a third winner in the race in four years.
Tokyo Racecourse
Japan has become one of the major players on the international stage, and many of their best stars in recent memory have made their name at Tokyo Racecourse. The track is located in the middle of the city centre, and it was officially opened to the public in 1933.
A total capacity of 223,000 can be accommodated at the venue, with the course typically reaching that peak at major events such as the Japan Cup, the Yasuda Kinen, and the Tokyo Yushun.
The latter is one of the most important races on the Japanese schedule, with horses aged three competing over 2,400 metres in the Japanese Derby. It was first run in 1932, and recent winners of the race include international raiders such as Shahryar, Danon Decile, and Croix du Nord.
Longchamp
There is often nothing more romantic than a trip to Paris, and there are few more higher-quality days of racing than those that can be experienced at Longchamp. It is one of the most challenging venues for horses in the world, with the steep hill at the finish testing the stamina of equines.
Longchamp is home to more than half of the Group One races that are held annually in France, with a capacity crowd of 50,000 typically in attendance. However, few races in the world are as prestigious as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This Group One attracts runners from all corners of the globe, with a staggering $5 million being up for grabs.
The roll of honor includes superstar equines from years gone by, with 2025 victor Daryz joining the likes of Enable, Sea The Stars, and Mill Reef. Held annually in October, it is typically a popular date in the diary for visitors from overseas, with four further Group Ones also being staged on the star-studded card.