Horse racing is one of the most important sports in the United Kingdom, with the industry being worth around £4 billion annually.
Major events on the racing calendar attract vast audiences, both in terms of those that attend, and also those that watch events from across the world. Keen racing fans will be watching the action unfold throughout the season, much like in the United States as fans will await the 2026 Preakness Stakes entries immediately following the Kentucky Derby.
But, what makes the UK such a unique experience to watch horse racing, and what are some of the standout events on the calendar?
How Important is the British Horse Racing Industry?
Only football can rival horse racing in terms of average attendances, with racing seeing more interest than popular sports such as cricket, rugby and tennis throughout the calendar year. However, racing is far more important to the nation than just being a famous pastime.
The sport brings in around £4 billon annually to the economy, and support over 85,000 jobs. This makes the sport especially important in more rural areas where there are few other job prospects available.
Due to the booming industry, the UK is considered to be one the global leaders in the sport, ensuring that it is a hotbed for breeding operations.
Major events on the calendar also see economic booms in certain areas, with vast numbers of visitors stopping in nearby hotels and eating and drinking at local pubs and restaurants. This ensures the long-term future of towns and cities that host some of the most prestigious events on the British racing calendar.
Royal Ascot
There are few sporting events that can rival the luxury and high-quality action on track that is boasted by Royal Ascot. It is the most global event on the British racing schedule, and is considered by many to be the prime summer social event.
Annually, around 300,000 visitors pass through the gates at Royal Ascot during the five-day meeting, ensuring that is boasts almost double the crowd sizes boasted by legendary music festival Glastonbury. Daily, 60,000 people will pass through the Ascot gates, ranging from everyday folk to royalty such as King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The global power of racing ensures that Royal Ascot is an event that transcends across the world, with visitors and runners on track coming from nations such as the United States, Australia and Japan.
Its place among the greatest sporting events on the planet is assured, with pictures of smartly dressed visitors in their Sunday Best typically ensuring that the meeting is a bucket list attraction for those that aren't fortunate to live in the United Kingdom.
Cheltenham Festival
While Royal Ascot is the most popular event during the summer months, it is still considered smaller for many in comparison to the Cheltenham Festival.
Jumps racing is the most popular form of racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the four-day meeting in the Cotswolds pits the best over hurdles and fences against one another during the week in championship races.
Over 220,000 people attend the Festival every year, with many fans typically regarding it as a ‘Second Christmas'. The attraction is a major event in the region, with the Festival generating over £274 million for the Gloucestershire economy.
As well as being one of the most attended events, it is also one of the most-watched racing events on the calendar, with only the Grand National typically seeing higher viewing figures. That was reflected a couple of years ago when just under two million viewers tuned into to watch the 2024 Gold Cup.
Grand National
It could be argued that no other race on the planet can compete with the popularity and cultural importance that is boasted by the Grand National. The historic race was first run in 1839, and it remains one of the most important dates in the cultural calendar, with many non-racing fans still tuning in to the race and placing their only wagers on the sport that calendar year.
The Grand National typically sees record viewing figures, with over six million watching the race in 2026. In comparison, Royal Ascot saw an average of 760,000 per day on the same channel last year. The National's historic legacy, and ability to create moments that live on forever is unlike anything else, ensuring that it is alongside the FA Cup final and London Marathon in terms of gaining mainstream attention.
It is also a vitally important event in terms of the industry, with over £200 million wagered on the race annually. However, it is by no means only a British staple, with the Grand National being broadcast in over 140 countries across the planet, ensuring that it is not only Liverpool's race, but also the world's.