With the end of another racing year, for fun I did a bit of research and decided to try to rank my list of the greatest 27 horse races in the world. Today I count down from 27-19.
27 Hong Kong Cup
When: December
Where: Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
Why: Betting interest in horse racing is huge in Hong Kong, and this relatively recent addition to the horse racing calendar (the race was first run in 1988) is the show-case for Hong Kong racing. It has become an international affair with a big purse.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Cup
26 Irish Champion Stakes
When: September
Where: Leopardstown, Dublin, Ireland
Why: A race for mature thoroughbreds, the winner of this race is automatically invited to the Breeders Cup turf.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Champion_Stakes
25 Irish 1000 Guineas
When: May
Where: Curragh, Kildare, Ireland
Why: The Irish equivalent of the English 1000 guineas, for 3-year old fillies, it takes place about three weeks after that event, and often includes top horses from that event.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_1000_Guineas
24 Irish St Ledger
When: September
Where: Curragh, Kildare, Ireland
Why: The Irish version of the English St Ledger, it’s the final leg of the Irish ‘Triple Crown’. Melbourne Cup contenders have come from this race.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_St._Leger
23 Irish Derby
When: June/July
Where: Curragh, Kildare, Ireland
Why: The Irish version of the English Derby, it’s become a major international race, thanks to Joe Macrath, who founded the Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstake in combination with the race, which helped boost the prize money and attract the interest of English horses. It’s the 2nd leg of the Irish ‘Triple Crown’.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Derby
22 Irish 2000 Guineas
When: May
Where: Curragh, Kildare, Ireland
Why: The Irish equivalent of the English 2000 guineas, it takes place about three weeks after that event, and often includes top horses from that event. It’s the first leg of the Irish ‘Triple Crown’.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_2000_Guineas
21 Golden Slipper Stakes
When: April
Where: Rose Hill Gardens, Sydney, Australia
Why: The sprint race of greatest importance on the Australian racing calendar, it happens to be the world’s richest race for two-year olds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Slipper_Stakes
20 King George VI Chase
When: December
Where: Kempton Park, Sunbury, England
Why: This national hunt race is a high-light of the British winter jumps calendar. Featuring 18 fences over 3 miles, the inaugural race was named after the new British monarch of 1937.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George_VI_Chase
19 Ascot Gold Cup
When: June
Where: Ascot, Ascot, England
Why: Britain’s most prestigious staying race, it’s held on day three of the Royal Ascot meeting. The gold cup itself is a trophy presented by Queen. It’s notable for champion stayer ‘Yeats’, who won this race 4 years in a row from 2006-2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascot_Gold_Cup
Tomorrow: My series of the world's greatest horse races continues as I count-down from 18-10.
