It is a known fact that horse racing is one of the most influential types of betting in the world. Throughout the year, horse racing has some of the best and most exciting events in sports, which shows why the sport itself is as big as it is.
However, despite horse racing being massively popular, it is still underrated considering the history that comes with it. Horse racing was the start of sports betting as we know it, with King James I, being the first to set up organized betting in the 1600s. Yes, that is right, the 1600s was when horse race betting started and 600 years later, fans are still travelling to watch the sport or looking up Leopardstown betting odds which shows how far the sport has come.
The history of this sport is huge and with history comes tradition which is why certain horse racing events are as popular as they are. Today, we run through the biggest horse racing events that every betting fan needs to go to.
The Kentucky Derby
The Run of the Roses, or the Kentucky Derby is tradition in sport personified. Taking place on the first Saturday of May each year, the event is filled with fans who all acknowledge and respect the history that surrounds the Kentucky Derby. The event has been attracting huge crowds since 1875, with over 150,000 people attending in person and millions watching and betting on the TV.
When we mention traditions, the Kentucky Derby has this personified with the attendees all wearing loud fashion choices like extravagant hats and mint juleps to match what people did all those years ago when it started. The Kentucky Derby may be far away for some readers, but it is a great example of what makes horse racing as big as it is.
The Grand National
In 1839, the first-ever Grand National was run and the tradition has stuck since. Held each year in Aintree, Liverpool, the event is one of the most exciting to watch with it being one of the most challenging for racers across the world of horse racing. The Grand National is one of the world’s biggest horse racing events and attracts countless viewers online and at the event.
As well as attracting a huge number of viewers, it also attracts the best jockeys and horses in the world and with the race being as challenging as it is, with 30 fences that the racers need to face, this event separates the men from the boys and is one of the exciting sporting events you will ever attend.
The Melbourne Cup
The Race That Stops The Nation is another name for The Melbourne Cup, which shows how much the Australian people love this event. When we talk about influence, the Melbourne Cup may have a bigger influence on its attendees than any other event we mentioned today, as it is attached to a public holiday.
The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is one of the biggest events in Melbourne and the Melbourne Cup is the centerpiece of the event it attracts a huge range of visitors and is the perfect blend of sports excitement and fashion. Like the Kentucky Derby, the Melbourne Cup attendees come to show their love for the traditions by respecting the outfit code and showing the other horse racing events how to attend an event.
