The best G1 horse races around the world you should watch

Horse races are classified by grades to showcase how high the stakes are. It starts with Group 3 (G3) as the lowest, followed by G2 in the middle and G1 at the top. However, races in the same grade can still vary on certain factors such as the prize pool and participants expected. Many of which are international events that you should never miss watching.

There are hundreds of G1 races to watch around the world but that would be too many to follow. If you wish to focus on only a handful of events in a year, then let it be among these top ten horse races in the industry. Below is a list of the most prestigious events worldwide that you can bet using crypto on at Gamdom but they stand out because of how competitive they are:

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Tenno Sho (Spring and Autumn)

The Emperor’s Cup (Tenno Sho) is a G1 event that happens twice a year in Japan at the Tokyo Racecourse. It’s noted as one of the oldest and highest stakes of any event among the top horse racing countries during its time in the 1940s. 

The Tenno Sho held this status until the Japan Cup was inaugurated in 1981 as the new top race in Japan. Its original entry was in Autumn, inaugurated in 1937 with a track of 3200m. 

However, it was later shortened to 2000m to promote mid-distance horse races among 3-year-old (3yo) horses. The long-distance track was revived in the Spring in 1938 with a full 3200 distance for 4-year-old (4yo) Thoroughbreds.

When: 30th April 2023 (Spring), 29th October 2023 (Autumn)

Where: Kyoto Racecourse (Spring), Tokyo Racecourse (Autumn), Japan

Race details:

• Distance: 3200m (Spring), 2000m (Autumn)
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Right-handed (Spring), Left-handed (Autumn)
• Horse age: 4yo and up (Spring), 3yo and up (Autumn)
• Gender: All can qualify

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes

The Lockinge Stakes is old, having been inaugurated in 1958 which has undergone multiple major changes. It used to be a G2 race because of its short distance and minor stakes but it moved up to G1 in 1995. It’s a short-distance flat-foot race on a straight track of just 1,609m. Such short-burst races are rare among G1 stakes and this is an ideal choice for those who are seeking excitement from quick bets.

One of the major reasons behind Lockinge Stakes’ prominence is its inclusion in the British Champions Series. It’s a collection of the top 35 races in British flat racing and Lockinge Stakes is one of 7 Mile races on the list. After this event, the top performers advance to the Queen Anne Stakes which takes place a month later. 

When: 30th May 2023

Where: Newbury Racecourse, England

Race details:

• Distance: 1609m
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Straight
• Horse age: 4yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
   

Qatar Prix du Jockey Club

Prix du Jockey Club was established in 1836 but was abandoned or rebranded across history until the latest system was introduced in 1971. Now, it is a high-level Thoroughbred mile race for colts and fillies but not geldings. The ‘Qatar’ in the name is in honour of its sponsor but the event is held in France.

What makes the Prix du Jockey Club so one of the biggest horse races in the world is the purpose of its competition. It is the most iconic G1 race for rating potential studs and broodmares. The winners are guaranteed to attract farm breeders and farm owners for their stocks even if they retire as early as 4-year-old.

When: 4th June 2023

Where: Chantilly Racecourse, France

Race details:

• Distance: 2100m 
• Surface: Tuf
• Turn direction: Right-handed
• Horse age: 3yo 
• Gender: colts and fillies, no geldings
   

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Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan 

Also known as the ‘Met Mile’ and ‘Metropolitan Handicap’, the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan is a mile race held in Belmont Park, New York. It was inaugurated in 1891 and it is known as the ‘stallion-making race’ because its results have a great impact on the winning Thoroughbred. It became a major event even if it is not a part of the Triple Crown or Breeders’ Cup Challenge.

When: 10th June 2023

Where: Belmont Park, USA 

Race details:

• Distance: 1609m
• Surface: Dirt
• Turn direction: Left-handed
• Horse age: 3yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
   

Queen Anne Stakes

The Queen Anne Stakes, inaugurated in 1840, was originally just a G3 race when the grading system began in 1973. This decision was made because of the race’s short distance and relatively low stakes. It advanced to Group 2 in 1984 and eventually G1 in 2003. Its high rating can be credited to horse racing fans’ appreciation for mile races.

When: 20th June 2023

Where: Ascot Racecourse, England

Race details:

• Distance: 1609m
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Straight
• Horse age: 4yo and up
• Gender: Fillies and mares
   

TVG Pacific Classic Stakes

The Pacific Classic Stakes, though relatively a young event on this list, was inaugurated in 1991. However, it only achieved its G1 racing status in 1993 when it reached a minimum purse of $1,000,000 for all of its running. This made the Pacific Classic Stakes the premier Thoroughbred racing event in the country. 

When: 2nd September 2023

Where: Del Mar Racetrack, California

Race details

• Distance: 2011m 
• Surface: Dirt
• Turn direction: Left-handed
• Horse age: 3yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
  
  

Irish Champion Stakes

The Irish Champion Stakes, inaugurated in 1976, was originally known as Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes. It was held to honour the founder of Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstakes, then it was later named Phoenix Champion Stakes when it moved to the racecourse of the same name in 1984. 

After a long history of changes, the Champion Stakes was returned to Leopardstown County Dublin in 1991. It was further honoured as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge in 2009. Winner of the event gets an automatic invite to the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

When: 9th September 2023

Where: Leopardstown Racecourse, Ireland

Race details:

• Distance: 2012m
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Left-handed
• Horse age: 3yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
   

QIPCO Champion Stakes

The Champion Stakes was inaugurated in 1877 and it is currently the highest-ranking race in the British Champions Day since 2009. Before it became part of the biggest series of events in Britain, it was originally held at Newmarket. It was already a high stakes race then so it was easily marked as a G1 race when the grading system began in 1971. 

On top of being a major event in its own right, it also offers another special prestige for the winner. That is one of 11 automatic invitations to the Breeders’ Cup, one of the biggest international horse racing events held at Santa Anita Park, USA.

When: 21st October 2023

Where: Ascot Racecourse, UK

Race details:

• Distance: 2012m
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Right-handed
• Horse age: 3yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
   

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LONGINES Breeders’ Cup Turf

The Breeders’ Cup Turf was inaugurated in 1984 and it’s so big that its starting purse is $4,000,000. There are 14 slots and 11 of its automatic invites must be won in several other G1 races. The list of those races varies every year but some of the most notable ones are the Irish Champion Stakes and the QIPCO Champions Stakes. 

All 11 races, where automatic berths are awarded, are parts of the ‘Breeders’ Cup Challenge’. The Breeders’ Cup Turf may be a US event but the selected races in its series are hosted across the world. Many of which are in Europe and North America but there is also Brazil and Argentina from South America. 

When: 3th-4th November 2023

Where: Santa Anita Park, USA

Race details:

• Distance: 2414m
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Left-handed
• Horse age: 4yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
   

Japan Cup 

The Tenno Sho remained Japan’s biggest local G1 horse racing event since its inauguration in 1937. However, it wasn’t until the Japan Cup was inaugurated in 1981 that the country became one of the top horse racing countries worldwide. It is the culmination of various events in the country like the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara as well as the Tenno Sho Spring and Autumn.

When: 26th November 2023

Where: Tokyo Racecourse, Japan

Race details:

• Distance: 2012m
• Surface: Turf
• Turn direction: Right-handed
• Horse age: 3yo and up
• Gender: All can qualify
   

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Gamdom also covers other Thoroughbred races besides the ones listed here. Check them out when you can and bet for more chances of winning real cash prizes in crypto or tokens of your choice.

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