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.

The British racing calendar features some of the world's most iconic betting events. From the Cheltenham Festival in March to Royal Ascot in June, betting sites in UK offer extensive markets including each-way, forecast, and ante-post odds.

2026 Horse Racing Calendar

Major Horse Racing Events 2026
Date Event Location
January 24 2026 Pegasus World Cup Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida, US
February 13-15 Saudi Cup King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
March 10-13 Cheltenham Gold Cup Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham
March 28 Dubai World Cup Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
March 29 Ulster National Raceday at Downpatrick Downpatrick Racecourse, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
April 9-11 Grand National Festival at Aintree Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool
April 17-18 Scottish Grand National Festival 2026 Ayr Racecourse, Scotland
April 25 Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park Sandown Park, Surrey, England
May 2 Kentucky Derby Louisville, Kentucky, US
May 5-16 Preakness Stakes Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
June 6 Belmont Stakes Saratoga Race Course, New York, USA
June 5-6 Epsom Derby Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England
June 16-20 Royal Ascot Gold Cup Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, England
July 4 Old Newton Cup Day at Haydock Park Haydock Park, Merseyside, England
July 9-11 The July Festival at Newmarket Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, England
July 18 Summer Plate Ladies Day at Market Rasen Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, England
July 24-25 King George Weekend at Ascot Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England
July 28-August 1 Qatar Goodwood Festival Goodwood Racecourse, West Sussex, England 
August 19-22 York Ebor Festival  York Racecourse, York, England
August 29 Sandown Park Presents BetMGM 80s Day Sandown Park, Surrey, England 
September 5 Betfair Sprint Cup Day at Haydock Park Haydock Park, Lancashire, England 
September 10-13 St Leger Festival at Doncaster  Doncaster Racecourse
October 3-4 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France
October 9-10 Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk, England
October 17 The Everest Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
October 30-31 Breeders Cup Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky, US
October 31-November 7 Melbourne Cup Carnival Flemington Racecourse, Victoria, Australia
November 3 Melbourne Cup Day Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
December 4-5 Betfair Tingle Creek Festival at Sandown Park Sandown Park, Surrey, England
December 26 Boxing Day Racing at Aintree Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England
December 26 Boxing Day Racing at Wincanton Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset, England
December 27 Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Wales

⚠️ 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.

Irish Racing Heritage

Ireland punches well above its weight in world horse racing, with Irish-trained horses regularly dominating festivals like Cheltenham and the Grand National.

The Curragh racecourse hosts the Irish Derby each June, while the Galway Races and Leopardstown Christmas Festival draw massive crowds annually. For fans looking to wager on Irish runners at home or abroad, Irish betting sites offer extensive coverage of both domestic and international meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Triple Crown races in 2026?

The 2026 Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd, the Preakness Stakes on May 16th at Pimlico, and the Belmont Stakes on June 6th 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 2026?

The 2026 Melbourne Cup will take place on November 3rd 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.