The Richest Horse Racing Events In the World

As a sport, horse racing has always had a lot of money involved. In fact, the rich tend to get richer in horse racing. Plus, prize money is growing, and in several well-heeled races, the fund can be phenomenal. 

The owners, trainers, and jockeys alike can yield some serious returns. Below are a few of the richest and lucrative horse racing events you would not want to miss. 

Pegasus World Cup

The prestigious horse racing event debuted in 2017 at Gulfstream Park, Florida. During its inaugural year, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes was worth $12 million. In 2018, it was worth $16 million, but the Pegasus dropped to $9 million in 2019. 

Moreover, in 2020 and 2021, the Pegasus carried a $3 million purse. The Pegasus World Cup is also a dirt race like the Dubai World Cup. In fact, it was awarded a Grade 1 classification straightaway because the competition took it from the now non-functioning Donn Handicap, which was run at the same racetrack.

Entry to the Pegasus has changed over time as well. In 2017, the fee structure was $1 million, and in 2018 and 2019, the fee to the race costs $500,000. Additionally, in 2020 and 2021, the race did not impose any entry fees. 

For next year’s Pegasus World Cup, the possible horse racing picks include:

• Knicks Go
• Life is Good
• Code Of Honor
• Essential Quality

Saudi Cup

Saudi Cup is the world’s richest horse racing event. It is an international horse race held in Saudi Arabia, specifically at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. The race debuted on February 29, 2020, and while it’s a new event, the Saudi Cup carries a $20 million purse.

Indeed, $20 million is a lot of money. And because the race is in Saudi Arabia, the horses who’d compete must train hard because they’re traveling that far. Although the first two races of the Cup were not qualified for a G1 classification, on October 4, 2021, the Saudi Cup received an immediate promotion to a G1 status by the IFHA.

The winning horse of the race will earn a $10 million prize. The remaining $10 million will be allocated to the horses finishing 2nd to 10th place. The Saudi Cup will be held on dirt over 1800 meters. Plus, it will include at least 14 starters in the field. What’s more, the race will be free to run in and enter. 

The Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup is held at the Meydan Racetrack, UAE, and has been operating since 1996. The 25th running of the race carried a $12 million total prize money, with the winning horse receiving $7.2 million. 

Moreover, the Dubai World Cup is run over 10 furlongs and invites at least three-year-old horses from the Southern Hemisphere or four-year-old horses from the Northern Hemisphere. In 2022, the total purse of the race will have more than $30.5 million.

The Everest

The Everest horse race is the richest horse race on turf in the world. It is run over 6 furlongs and the enormous prizemoney attracts a field of top sprinters at Royal Randwick, Sydney. The race debuted on October 14, 2017, and the prizemoney is the most offered for a horse race in Australia.

Additionally, there are twelve places available for anyone to claim. However, with each slot costing $400,000, the race is really only for the wealthy to play. Because of the expensive entry conditions, the race is not given Group race status and is unlikely to ever capture the imagination of the general public.

Even so, the high cost of each slot guarantees a large winner’s purse. The total prize money for 2021 The Everest is $15 million, and the winning horse will receive $6.2 million. 

Breeder’s Cup Classic

This horse racing event is one of the prestigious Thoroughbred horse races in the United States, with total prize money of $6 million. The winning horse will receive half of the prize pot. 

The Breeder’s Cup Classic is limited to horses at least three-year-old and is deemed to be the unofficial fourth leg of the Triple Crown race. What’s more, the race is typically a huge deciding factor in the American Award for Horse of the Year. Moreover, the Breeder’s Cup Classic is normally held at various locations in the U.S. each year. 

Japan Cup

Japan Cup is one of the richest horse races in the world, with a purse of $5.8 million. It only invites the best three-year-old horses descending on Japan’s capital and is restricted to 18 places. 

The race debuted in 1981 and has run annually since then. What’s more, home-grown talent has thrived and prospered at the Japan Cup, with every winning owner and trainer coming from the country since 2008.

Final Thoughts

Horse racing has been there for as long as humans have been riding horses. The sport has been dubbed the sport of kings due to the amount of money you can win. From $6 million to $20 million, it is easy to understand why many people love this sport. 

Category: International