A list of notable flat horse races which take place annually in Great Britain, under the authority of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), including all conditions races which currently hold Group 1, 2 or 3 status in the European Pattern. To most people, it is the horse that goes on to become more famous than the riders, but now and again it is the jockeys who get the fame. This list of ten world class and world famous jockeys is not one that features names everyone has heard of, but for those in the know, this is a list of the best of the best horse riders in the world. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jockeys from the United Kingdom.

• Big Horse Race In England
• British Horse Names
• Famous Horse Races List
• British Thoroughbred Racing
• Names Of Horse Races

The lists below show notable Thoroughbred horse races in various countries around the world. In countries with a grading system, the included races are normally Group or Grade 1. However, some restricted races such as the Queen's Plate in Canada are also included, and all races at the Royal Ascot festival are included because of their prestige.

Flat races[edit]

Argentina

• Gran Premio Nacional (Argentine Derby)
• Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (Argentine 1000 Guineas)
• Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (Argentine 2000 Guineas)
• Gran Premio Seleccion (Argentine Oaks)

Australian

Austrian

• Trial Stakes

Barbados

Belgium

Brazil

• Grande Prêmio Cruzeiro do Sul (Brazilian Derby)
• Grande Prêmio Diana (Brazilian Oaks)

Canada

Chile

• Dos Mil Guineas (Chilean 2000 Guineas)
• El Derby (Chilean Derby)
• Clásico St. Leger (Chilean St.Leger)

Czech Republic

• Ceske Velka Jarni Cena (Ceske 2000 Guineas)

Denmark

France

• Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas)
• Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas)
• Prix de Diane (French Oaks)
• Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby)

Germany

• Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas)
• Preis der Diana (German Oaks)

Hong Kong

Hungary

• Nemzeti dij (Hungarian 2000 Guineas)

Ireland

Italy

• Oaks d'Italia (Italian Oaks)
• Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas)
• Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas)

Japan

• Arima Kinen (Japanese winter Grand Prix)
• Kikuka Sho (Japanese St.Leger)
• Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas)
• Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas)
• Takarazuka Kinen (Japanese summer Grand Prix)
• Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)
• Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)

Mauritius

New Zealand

Norway

Pakistan

• Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup
• Pakistan Derby
• New Year Cup
• 1000 Guineas of Pakistan
• 2000 Guineas of Pakistan
• Pakistan St. Ledger Cup
• Pakistan Oaks
• Anarkali cup

Philippines

• Gran Copa
• President's Gold Cup

Poland

• Nagroda Derby Half Blood Derby (in English)
• Nagroda Rulera (Polish 2000 Guineas)

Russia

• Bolszoj Vserossijskij Priz (Russian Derby)

Singapore

Slovakia

• Slovenske Velka Jarna Cena (Slovenske 2000 Guineas)

South Africa

• Champions Cup
• S A Derby (South African Derby)
• The Annual Simonsberg Metropolitan

South Korea

Spain

• Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks)
• Premio Cimera (Spanish 2000 Guineas)
• Premio Valderas (Spanish 1000 Guineas)
• Premio Villamejor (Spanish St. Leger)
• Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby)

Sweden

• Jockeyklubbens Jubileumslopning (Swedish 2000 Guineas)

Switzerland

Turkey

• Ankara Stakes (Turkish St. Leger)
• Dişi Tay Deneme (Turkish 1000 Guineas)
• Erkek Tay Deneme (Turkish 2000 Guineas)
• Gazi Derby (Turkish Derby)
• Kısrak (Turkish Oaks)

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

• Doncaster Cup (world's oldest race)
• Derby Stakes (aka Epsom Derby)
• Oaks Stakes (aka Epsom Oaks)
• Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (British Champions Mile)
• Royal Ascot:
  • Day 1 (2015–Present):
  • Day 2:
  • Day 3:
  • Day 4:
  • Day 5:
• See also: List of British flat horse races

United States

• Breeders' Cup series:
  • Day 1 (2013–present):
    • Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint (discontinued)
    • Breeders' Cup Marathon (discontinued)
    • Breeders' Cup Distaff (known as the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic between 2008 and 2012)
  • Day 2 (2013–present):
• Donn Handicap (discontinued)
• Pegasus World Cup (effective replacement of Donn Handicap)

See also: Graded stakes race for a full list of Grade 1 races in the United States

Uruguay

Steeplechases[edit]

Australia

• Grand National Steeplechase

Big Horse Race In England

Belgium

Czech Republic

France

Ireland

Italy

Japan

• Nakayama Grand Jump (Recap can be seen via JRA International Race Recap

New Zealand

• Great Northern Steeplechase
• Grand National Steeplechase

United Kingdom

United States

• Iroquois Steeplechase, Nashville, Tennessee
• Queens Cup Steeplechase held in Mineral Springs, North Carolina

See also[edit]

There are 60 Flat and National Hunt racecourses in Britain, including 17 multi-purpose tracks offering both disciplines. But which exactly are the top ten racecourses in Britain and what makes them so special?

Cheltenham

Set among 350 acres at the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham racecourse showcases some of the very best National Hunt racing in the country. Cheltenham began racing in 1815 and has since grown into one of the largest racecourses, attracting crowds of up to 68,000. The highlight of Cheltenham’s racing fixtures is the Cheltenham Festival. Which runs for 4 days in March and boasts 14 Grade 1 races. It is the most popular National Hunt meeting in the world and the pinnacle of Jumps racing, every owner, jockey and trainer dreams of running or riding a winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

Find out more about Cheltenham races HERE.

Ascot

Ascot racecourse is considered the epicentre of British horseracing, hosting 26 days of top class racing including 9 Group 1 Flat races. The track is mixed purposed, with Flat and National Hunt fixtures throughout the year. However, it is at Royal Ascot where the track really sparkles. A 5-day festival in the heart of summer, gives racing fans and newcomers the chance to indulge in the finest entertainment, cuisine and sporting action around. Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, Ascot has maintained it’s association with the Royal Family by catering for Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British Royal Family each year at Royal Ascot. A true testament to British racing and tradition.

Find out more about Ascot races HERE.

Aintree

Aintree is located on the west of England in the heart of Liverpool and is the home of the Grand National. Originating in 1839, the Grand National is the longest jumps race in Britain and considered a National Hunt tradition. The Grand National sees record TV viewings and crowds in excess of 70,000 every year, which make it such a high profile event that is on everybody’s bucket list.

Find out more about Aintree races HERE.

British Horse Names

Newmarket

Newmarket is widely regarded as the ‘home of racing’ due to their rich history in breeding and racing, stretching back over 3 centuries. There are two tracks that are ran on at different times of the season, the Rowley Mile and the July Course. The Rowley Mile operates at the beginning of the season before intermittently switching to the July course. This track covers the summer fixtures from June to August, before returning back to the Rowley Mile for the remainder of the season. There are many training yard surrounding Newmarket, which make it a popular venue for owners and trainers.

Find out more about Newmarket races HERE.

York

Awarded the ‘Best Racecourse in Britain’ 4 times, York is a fantastic tourist attraction in the heart of Yorkshire. It’s rich heritage dates back to Roman times, with archaeology evidence that racing on the Knavesmire first began as early as 1530. York hosts Flat racing through the summer months, with it’s feature highlight the Ebor Festival at August’s end. As one of the most premier tracks in Britain, York attracts high quality racing as well as the glitz and glamour of a high profile event. With stunning views and friendly crowds, it’s the perfect venue for a day out in the sun.

Find out more about York races HERE.

Goodwood

Goodwood is one of the most southern racetracks in Britain, host to the Glorious Goodwood festival and home to 13 Group races throughout the year. Overlooking the Sussex Downs, it’s picturesque backdrop and unique track undulations make it one of the more remarkable courses in the country. Racing only occurs here from May to October and is highlighted by the Glorious festival in late July/early August. This is sandwiched by the Spring Meeeting before and the August and Autumn meeting later on in the year.

Find out more about Goodwood races HERE.

Doncaster

Another fantastic Yorkshire course, with a mixed purpose track catering for both Flat and National Hunt racing for a total of 36 meetings throughout the year. The official Flat season begins and ends at Doncaster. The Lincoln meeting kicking things off in April and the St Leger meeting closes the season in September. National Hunt racing fills the remainder of the calendar which is equally entertaining. Racing on the Town Moor has a rich history in racing, and home to the oldest classic horse race; the St Leger.

Find out more about Doncaster races HERE.

Haydock

One of two courses in Merseyside. Haydock Park is a dual purpose track that plays host to numerous quality jumps and flat races throughout the year. The highlights from each code come in November for the jumps; the Betfair Chase. This is the first leg of the prestigious £1 million Chase Triple Crown that also includes the King George at Kempton and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Whilst on the flat, the Sprint Cup in September holds Group 1 status over 6 furlongs.

Find out more about Haydock races HERE.

Newbury

Famous Horse Races List

One of three courses situated in Berkshire, Newbury has hosted both flat and National Hunt fixtures since its first meeting in 1905. The area surrounding the course is known as the Greenham. Which is also the name of the Classic informative 3-year-old flat race held there in April. There are 31 total Group 1 races in the UK and Newbury’s is the Lockhinge stakes over a mile. It also holds big National Hunt meeting in November when the feature is the Hennessy Gold Cup. In late December when the Challow Novices’ hurdle takes centre stage.

Find out more about Newbury races HERE.

British Thoroughbred Racing

Epsom

Epsom plays a pivotal part in the Flat season, despite a relatively small number of meetings compared to other tracks. The entire season at Epsom is dominated by the two-day Investec Derby festival. The Epsom Derby takes place on the first Saturday in June, with the Oaks held the day before.The track is based in Surrey and is a unique test, particularly over the Derby trip. The back straight features a significant climb, with runners negotiating the sharp turn of Tattenham Corner before coming back downhill in the home straight. The home straight has a camber towards the inside of the track and an uphill finish.

Names Of Horse Races

Find out more about Epsom races HERE.