Horse racing is one of the most popular and exciting sports in the US. Every year, millions of people flock to the tracks to watch these majestic animals compete in some of the most prestigious races in the world. The US is home to some of the biggest and most renowned horse races in the world, from the Kentucky Derby to the Belmont Stakes. Here, we take a look at the three biggest horse races in the US.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby, or “The Run for the Roses” as it is often called, is a Grade 1 stakes race that takes place annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the most watched and attended race in the US and is often referred to as “the most exciting two minutes in sports”. The race is one and a quarter miles long and is open to three-year-old thoroughbred horses.
History of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875 and is the longest running sports event in the US. It was founded by Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., who was the grandson of William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. He was inspired by the Epsom Derby, a horse race in England, after he visited the country in 1872.
Notable Winners
The Kentucky Derby has been won by many great horses, trainers, and jockeys throughout its history. Some of the notable winners include:
- Secretariat in 1973, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time.
- Affirmed in 1978, who remains the last horse to win the Triple Crown.
- American Pharoah in 2015, who became the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.
The Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds that takes place annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown, and is held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The race is one and three-sixteenths miles long, and is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races.
History of the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873 and was named after the colt Preakness, who won the Dinner Party Stakes on the day the race was established. It has been held at Pimlico Race Course since 1909, with the exception of a few years during World War I when it was held at various tracks around the country.
Notable Winners
Like the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes has been won by some of the greatest horses, trainers, and jockeys in the sport. Some of the notable winners include:
- Affirmed in 1978, who was the last horse to win the Triple Crown.
- American Pharoah in 2015, who became the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.
- Justify in 2018, who was the most recent horse to win the Triple Crown.
The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is a Grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds that takes place annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is the longest of the three Triple Crown races, and is held three weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The race is one and a half miles long, and is the deciding race of the Triple Crown.
History of the Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867 and is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. It was named after August Belmont, Sr., who was a prominent financier and horse racing enthusiast. It has been held at Belmont Park since 1905, and is the only Triple Crown race that has never been moved or cancelled.
Notable Winners
The Belmont Stakes has been won by some of the greatest horses, trainers, and jockeys in the sport. Some of the notable winners include:
- Secretariat in 1973, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time.
- Affirmed in 1978, who remains the last horse to win the Triple Crown.
- American Pharoah in 2015, who became the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.
- Justify in 2018, who was the most recent horse to win the Triple Crown.
Conclusion
The three biggest horse races in the US are the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. These races have been won by some of the greatest horses, trainers, and jockeys in the sport. They are all part of the Triple Crown, which is the ultimate achievement for any horse in the US. Horse racing is one of the most exciting and thrilling sports in the US, and these three races are some of the most prestigious and coveted in the world.