Here is a list of the upcoming major Horse Racing sporting events. Not every sporting event can be listed here, though we have tried to include all the big sporting events, mostly the international competitions.

Major events include the triple crown events and some of the richest and well-known horse races around the world.

See also the current major sporting events calendar for all sports.

2025 Horse Racing Calendar

Major Horse Racing Events 2025
Date Event Location
February 22 Saudi Cup King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
March 14 Cheltenham Gold Cup Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham
April 5 Dubai World Cup Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
April 5 Grand National Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool
May 3 Kentucky Derby Louisville, Kentucky, US
May 17 Preakness Stakes Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
June 7 Belmont Stakes Saratoga Race Course, New York, USA
June 7 Epsom Derby Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England
June 17-21 Royal Ascot Gold Cup Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, England
October 4-5 Qatar Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe Longchamps, Paris, France
October 5 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France
October 10-11 Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk, England
October 16 Jump Season Opener at Carlisle Carlisle Racecourse, Cumbria, England
October 18 The Everest Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
October 18 England’s Champions Day Ascot Racecourse
October 18 The Everest Royal Randwick
October 24-25 The Showcase at Cheltenham Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, England
October 31 Breeder's Cup Del Mar, California
November 1 Breeders Cup Del Mar, San Diego, USA
November 1-8 The Melbourne Cup Carnival Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
November 4 Melbourne Cup Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
November 30 Japan Cup Tokyo Racecourse, Tokyo, Japan
December 5-6 Betfair Tingle Creek Festival at Sandown Park Sandown Park, Surrey, England
December 6 Cape Fillies Guineas Kenilworth
December 12-13 The Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, England
December 19 Festive Friday Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
December 26 Boxing Day Racing at Wincanton Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset, England
December 26-27 Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Park Kempton Park Racecourse, Surrey, England
December 27 Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Wales
December 31 New Year’s Eve Raceday at Warwick Warwick Racecourse, England

2026 Horse Racing Calendar

Major Horse Racing Events 2026
Date Event Location
February 14 Saudi Cup King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
March 13 Cheltenham Gold Cup Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham
March 28 Dubai World Cup Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
April 11 Grand National Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool
May 2 Kentucky Derby Louisville, Kentucky, US
May 16 Preakness Stakes Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
June (TBD) Belmont Stakes Saratoga Race Course, New York, USA
June (TBD) Epsom Derby Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England
June (TBD) Royal Ascot Gold Cup Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, England
October (TBD) Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France
October (TBD) The Everest Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
November (TBD) Breeders Cup Del Mar, San Diego, USA
November 3 Melbourne Cup Flemington Racecourse, Victoria, Australia

⚠️ Please Note: Any date and time listed represent the local date and time. Event dates are believed to be correct at the time of publication, though they are subject to change.

“The Industry Is At A Breaking Point” 

—EB’s Vision And How Horse Racing Needs To Tell Its Story BetterUnderstanding the Major Horse Racing Events, 23/09/2025

The American Triple Crown

The Triple Crown represents the pinnacle of American thoroughbred racing, consisting of three races for three-year-old horses:

  • Kentucky Derby - "The Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs, 1.25 miles on dirt
  • Preakness Stakes - "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" at Pimlico, 1.1875 miles
  • Belmont Stakes - "The Test of the Champion" at Saratoga (traditionally Belmont Park), 1.5 miles

Only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown since 1919, with Justify being the most recent winner in 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Triple Crown races in 2025?

The 2025 Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby on May 3rd, the Preakness Stakes on May 17th at Pimlico, and the Belmont Stakes on June 7th at Saratoga Race Course. These three races test three-year-old thoroughbreds over different distances within a five-week span.

When is the Melbourne Cup in 2025?

The 2025 Melbourne Cup takes place on November 4th at Flemington Racecourse in Victoria, Australia. Known as "the race that stops a nation," it's traditionally held on the first Tuesday in November and is a public holiday in Victoria.

What is the richest horse race in the world?

The Saudi Cup, held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, is currently the richest horse race in the world with a purse of $20 million.

What's the difference between flat racing and steeplechase?

Flat racing involves horses galloping on a level track without obstacles, like the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup. Steeplechase racing includes jumps and obstacles, with the Grand National at Aintree being the most famous example, featuring 30 fences over approximately 4.5 miles.

How far in advance are horse racing dates set?

Major race dates are typically set years in advance and follow traditional scheduling patterns. The Kentucky Derby is always the first Saturday in May, the Melbourne Cup is the first Tuesday in November, and most other majors maintain consistent calendar positions, though specific dates may vary slightly year to year.