World's Greatest 27 Horse Races: Part 2

[Zenyatta]

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 18-10.

18 Belmont Stakes
When: June
Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York, USA
Why: This is the third and final leg of the US ‘Triple Crown’; it’s known as ‘the test of champions’. The winner is traditionally draped in white carnations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont_Stakes


17 Preakness Stakes
When: May
Where: Primlico, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Why: The second leg of the US ‘Triple Crown’, it’s also known as ‘the run for the black-eyed Susans’, because the winner is draped in black-eyes Susans, which is the state flower of Maryland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preakness_Stakes


16 Epsom Oaks
When: June
Where: Epsom Downs, Epsom, England
Why: This race open to 3-year old fillies is the 3rd of the 5 British ‘classics’. It’s named after the Oaks, an estate East of Epsom. The 12th Earl of Derby invented the race during a party at the estate in the 18th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsom_Oaks

15 1000 Guineas
When: April/May
Where: Rowley Mile, Newmarket, England
Why: The 2nd of Britain’s 5 ‘classic’ races, for 3-year old fillies. It’s named after its original prize fund.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000_Guineas

14 St Leger Stakes
When: September
Where: Doncaster, Doncaster, England
Why: The oldest of the 5 British ‘classics’, and the final leg of the English ‘Triple Crown’, it’s open to 3-year old colts and fillies. Devised by Anthony St.Leger, the race has served as a model for other races around the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Leger_Stakes

13 2000 Guineas
When: April/May
Where: Rowley Mile, Newmarket, England
Why: The first of the 5 British ‘classics’, the race is open to 3-year old colts and fillies. It’s named after its original prize fund. The race is regarded as the most prestigious race in Britain for 3-year olds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Guineas

12 Japan Cup
When: November
Where: Tokyo, Fuchu, Japan
Why: One of the richest horse races in the world, it’s an international invitational event that was designed to enable local Japanese horses to compete with overseas horses and promote good-will. It has featured some memorable finishes; there have been a number of photo-finishes in recent years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Cup


11 Caulfield Cup
When: October
Where: Caulfield, Caulfield, Australia
Why: One of the richest and most popular horse races in Australia, it’s regarded as a good lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup, since it’s a true staying test of a mile and a half under handicap conditions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulfield_cup

10 Cox Plate
When: October
Where: Moonee Valley, Melbourne, Australia
Why: This race is considered the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, and it has featured many champion horses from New Zealand and Australia, including the mighty ‘Phar Lap’.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox_plate

Stay tuned for the final part of my series tomorrow, where I count down from 9-1 and reveal my choice for the world's greatest horse race!