The 10 Most Lucrative Horse Races Around The World

Horse racing fans from all over the world tune in to watch the biggest meetings, with the likes of the Saudi Cup, Cheltenham Festival and Melbourne Cup attracting huge viewing figures each year.

While no British or Irish races feature on this list of the most valuable horse races in the sport, there is still significant interest in these events. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 10 richest horse races, ranked by total prize purse on offer in 2024.

SAUDI CUP – $20 million

The Saudi Cup has been regarded as the richest horse race in the calendar since the inaugural running in 2020, with the winner receiving a cheque for $10 million.

The race, run over 1m1f, takes place in February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia and it is the most lucrative race to be held on a dirt track. It is one of the biggest races in the calendar and is a must watch for any flat racing fan.

THE EVEREST – $20 million

This six-furlong Australian sprint race carried a total purse of $15 million from 2018 to 2022 but officials announced an increase to the $20 million mark ahead of the 2023 renewal.

Staged at  Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in mid-October, the race was first run in 2017 and is officially the richest turf horse race in the world.

DUBAI WORLD CUP – $12 million

One of the richest horse racing meetings around the world, there is $30.5 million up for grabs across the nine-race card. The Dubai World Cup alone is worth $12 million, with $7 million going to winning connections.

The race takes place over 1m2f and is held at Meydan Racecourse at the end of March. It held the title of the world’s richest horse race from 1996 to 2020 before the inaugural running of the Saudi Cup.

THE GOLDEN EAGLE – $10 million

A race exclusively for four-year-olds, this race has a rather unique position when it comes to prize money. Each horse in the field nominates a charity and 10% of the prize money won will be donated to that cause – the winning horse will secure $525,000.

Run at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney on the last Saturday in October, the event is staged over 1500m but doesn’t carry the same hype or heritage as The Everest.

MELBOURNE CUP – $8 million

With a reported prize pot of $8 million, the Melbourne Cup is up there with the most lucrative races in Australia. Labelled as the ‘race that stops a nation’, there is a public holiday in the city for the race.

Winning connections receive the lion’s share of the prize pot, with $4.4 million going to the victor. It is the greatest staying race on the planet and there is usually one or two European raiders in the field, further enhancing the worldwide appeal of the race.

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC – $6 million

There is over $33 million to be won at the Breeders Cup meeting and the Classic is the most lucrative race of the week, with a total prize pot of $6 million.

Run over 1m2f, the location of the Breeders Cup changes every year – with the 2024 meeting taking place at Del Mar, California. The Breeders’ Cup is often well supported by British and Irish trainers.

DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC – $6 million

The second Dubai World Cup race to feature on this list is the Dubai Sheema Classic. This Group One turf event is staged at Meydan Racecourse in March on the Dubai World Cup card.

First held in 1998, Godolphin have an excellent record in the contest and they’ll be hopeful of more success in upcoming renewals. Equinox produced one of the great Dubai Sheema Classic performances when blitzing the all-time record for the race in 2023.

ARIMA KINEN – $5.9 million

The richest horse race in Japan, the Arima Kinen is a massive event in Asia and there is always a fantastic atmosphere at Nakayama Racecourse for the meeting.

The race takes place in late December each year and it is widely regarded as the biggest betting race on the planet. It has a long and illustrious history that goes all the way back to 1956 and its tradition of a ‘vote’ system to select the field is very unique.

JAPAN CUP – $5.9 million

Tokyo Racecourse is home to the Japan Cup and this race takes place in late November, with a growing interest in the race from all four corners of the globe.

Homebred horses often win the race but there have been several international winners in years gone by and it’ll be worth keeping an eye out if a British or Irish trainer sends a horse over to bid for the $5.9 million prize pot.

PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE – $5 million

The Arc is the only European race on this list and it is arguably the most prestigious race here, with the inaugural running taking place in 1920. If you’ve got a Group 1-winning horse over 1m4f in the UK or Ireland, chances are you’ll be looking at the Arc.

The legendary Frankie Dettori is the most successful jockey in the history of the race with six winners but he may not ride in the 2024 renewal given his switch to riding out in California.