Horse Racing is a popular sport and gambling attraction world wide. In 2010 Australians bet over $11 billion on horse racing, US citizens bet $8 billion and the Japanese came on top with a betting sum of over $25 billion.

Thousands of flat and jump races occur every year, many are small Casino races ( known as “Rasino’s” that attract less expensive horses, and amateur trainers and jockeys.

The following are the most famous big stakes races. With the massive purse sizes there is no wonder why these races attract the best horses, trainers and jockeys in the world.

1. Melbourne Cup: $ 6 million AUD purse.

2. Kentucky Derby: $ 2 million USD purse.
This race is the first of the Triple Crown Series.

3. Preakness Stakes: $1.5 million USD purse
This is the second leg of the Triple Crown Series.

4. Belmont Stakes: $1 million USD purse
This is the last race in the Triple Crown Series. There have been 11 Triple Crown winners, see videos for the greatest Triple Crown winning horses.

5. Royal Ascot: Largest Racing ground in the UK, holds many of the flat race stakes races.

6. Grand National: £975,000 purse
Largest Jump race.

7. Breeder’s Cup: $500, 000 – $5 million
Series of races, location varies every year. Acts as a year end championship.

8. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: 4 million Euro
Most prestigious racing event in Europe

9. Dubai World Cup: $10 million USD
This is the world’s richest horse race