Horse Racing 2026

The 2026 horse racing calendar spans 17 major meetings across 17 racecourses worldwide, from the Dubai World Cup in February to the Hong Kong International Races in December.

The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville anchors the American spring. First held in 1875 and run on the first Saturday in May since 1932, the Derby is the first leg of the US Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park and the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Royal Ascot (June 16-20) is five days of flat racing at Ascot Racecourse near London. The meeting dates to 1711, when Queen Anne founded the racecourse. ITV broadcasts all five days free-to-air in the UK.

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris on October 4 is Europe's richest middle-distance turf race, first run in 1920. The Breeders' Cup (October 30-31) rotates annually between major US tracks, bringing together the best horses from multiple countries for two days of championship racing.

The Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on November 3 is Australia's most famous race, first run in 1861. The race starts at 15:00 AEDT, which translates to 04:00 GMT for fans in London and 23:00 the previous evening in New York. The Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo rounds out the international season, with the JRA streaming race day free online.