The stretch from late spring to late fall is arguably the best time of year for horse racing. It is therefore the period when some of the biggest and most prestigious events take place, races that define careers and bring out the best that this ancient and beloved sport has to offer. Noble steeds, talented jockeys, and sublime riding are guaranteed at every single race track, and life changing prize pools are waiting for the best of the best to claim them and etch their name in history books. Legends are made, legacies are cemented here, and it will soon be time for the newest batch of winners to lift the trophies and lay claim ot it.

If you are a fan of the many different varieties of professional horse racing and all the adjacent events they bring, you are in for a treat. Right here and now, we take a look at some of the biggest and most prestigious races left in the year 2025. From when and where to the history of the events themselves, we cover it all so that you can mark your calendars and be ready for action when it rides around (pun intended). And if you are a fan of wagering on sports, all of these will also double as competitive sports betting bitcoin opportunities that you should make sure to include on your slips.

Epsom Derby Festival: 6-7 June

The first one on the calendar will be the Epsom Downs Racecourse event, one of England's most popular races. The Epsom Derby is the third British Classic and the highlight of the festival. It brings together elite three year old colts and fillies. Established in 1780, it is one of the five British Classics and one of the oldest races in the world.

The event is known for its challenging course and the legendary horses who took it on, including Nijinsky and Sea the Stars. A very rough race, it is one of those feats every jockey wants to achieve in their career. The 2025 race offers a prize pool of £1.5 million. City of Troy won the Epsom Derby in 2024.

Belmont Stakes: June 7

Usually held at the iconic Belmont Park, this year's race will be at the Saratoga Race Course in New York. The 157th Belmont Stakes is the traditional final leg of the US Triple Crown and has a different home this year because of renovations at Belmont. The race has a $2 million purse.

First established in 1867, the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the US Triple Crown races, and its Elmont, New York home is where it usually takes place. The race is renowned for its grueling 1 and a half mile distance that typically determines the Triple Crown winner. The record was set by Secretariat in 1973, and it still stands today. Last time in 2024, Dornoch won the race with 2:01.64.

Royal Ascot: June 17-21

As a blend of top tier horse racing and a royal tradition, the iconic Ascot Racecourse event in Berkshire features races like the Gold Cup and the King’s Stand Stakes. It is one of the most elite events on the calendar and a must for all the fans of the sport. Dating back all the way to 1711, it is synonymous with the sport of horse racing and one of the first major events that defined the modern sport.

A major event in the British social calendar, it is a huge event outside of horses and is known for its fashion and royal attendance. The event features several Group 1 races over the five days in the middle of June. The prize pools vary between them, with the Gold Cup being £600,000. The 2024 winner of the Ascot Gold Cup was Kyprios.

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: October 5

At the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, we find Europe’s most prestigious turf race that attracts the best middle distance horses from all over the globe. Paris is beautiful in October, and the race makes the most of it every year. On the calendar since 1920, it is one of the more important events of the year, both as an equestrian and social event.

The 2400 meter race has so far seen major horse legends like Treve and Enable. The 2025 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe offers a purse of €5 million, with the winner taking €2.85 million. In 2024, it was won by the 4 year old Bluestocking trained by Ralph Beckett, ridden by jockey Rossa Ryan, and owned by the Juddmonte horse breeding farm.

QIPCO British Champions Day: October 18

In the middle of the fall season, there is another big day at the Ascot Racecourse when the QIPCO British Champions Day kicks off. It is the finale of the British flat racing season that showcases five Group 1 races. It includes the Champion Stakes, one of the fans’ most beloved events, and what bettors are always waiting for.

Breeders’ Cup: October 31-November 1

For two days when October and November overlap, the Del Mar Racetrack in California, USA, is the place to be. The prestigious event features 14 Grade I races that culminate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The event attracts top horses from anywhere and everywhere in what is a top of the line opportunity to make a name for yourself, be it for the jockey, team, owner, or horse.

Inaugurated in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is a series of Grade I thoroughbred horse races in the United States. It features 14 races over two days, a feast for the fans of horse racing, and the Cup Classic is the absolute highlight. Over the years, legendary horses took part in it, including Zenyatta and Tiznow. Each of the races is exciting, with the best jockeys taking home portions of $1-$7 million purses, depending on the race.

Melbourne Cup Day: November 4

Down Under in Australia, at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, we find the centerpiece of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. It features the iconic race that stretches 3200 meters and is one of Australia’s most iconic events. The event is known as “the race that stops a nation” due to its popularity and fan engagement.

It was first run in 1861 and is widely considered the most prestigious in the country. The race is famous for its large field and the tradition of the “Cup Week”. This year’s Cup offers a total prize pool of A$8,560,000, with the winner alone taking home 4.4 million. Last year, at the 2024 race, Without a Fight won the race.

Most Popular Bets for These Races

If you are a fan of horse race betting, there are many different bets you can make on these events. Betting on major racing events like the aforementioned prestigious examples is exciting and potentially profitable, but the key is to choose the right type of bet based on your budget, risk appetite, and most of all, experience with the sport.

The win, place, and show are considered straight bets and are best for beginners. You bet on the horse to finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, respectively, and it is low risk and straightforward.

The each way bet is great for large fields like the Melbourne Cup as it combines the win and place bets. If the horse wins, you win both bets. If it places, you earn from the place bet. It is quite popular in the UK and Australia.

The exacta/quinella bets have better payouts and moderate risk. You pick the 1st and 2nd place horses in that order, or the 1st and 2nd horses in any order. The payouts are higher than in straights, and the bets are good for races with clear standout favorites.

Future bets are for strategic bettors, as you bet weeks/months in advance. Odds can be huge, but you must spot talent and favorites early. The biggest risk is the horse not even taking part in the race. But if you win, the payout is incredible.