As the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing comes to an end, the thoughts of horse enthusiasts, both avid fans and bettors, invariably turn toward the other upcoming horse events. But if you’re a beginner, we’ll get you covered here. 

First of all, know that major horse racing events are ranked on a scale by grade (US) or group (Europe), both abbreviated with the letter G, with G1 as the highest. Listed here are among the consequential upcoming G1 horse races you can look forward to in the coming months.

Acorn Stakes (June 19)

Acorn Stakes’ horse racing schedule is set for June 19 at the legendary Belmont Park racecourse in Elmont, New York. Followed by Coaching Club American Oaks and the Alabama Stakes, this race is the first leg of Triple Tiara, Triple Crown’s counterpart and a prestigious title for fillies. 

Acorn Stakes features the best 3-year-old fillies, making it one of the biggest filly races in America. This American G1 race runs over one mile (eight furlongs) on the dirt track with a purse of $500,000 this year. 

King George Weekend (July 23-24)

From July 23-24, British racing’s summer garden party King George Weekend will host a flat racing meeting run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England. It’s open to all thoroughbred horses across Europe from different age groups. 

This G1 Ascot’s midsummer showpiece is worth £875,000 (more than a million dollars, with only The Derby worth more) this year, making it Britain’s second richest race. The race winner will be automatically invited to compete at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Beverly D. Stakes (August 8) 

Beverly D. Stakes is one of the top flat horse races for fillies and mares in the United States. This 1 3⁄16-mile race was traditionally held on the turf at Arlington Park outside of Chicago, Illinois, but it will be moved to Churchill Downs this August 8 following the former’s closure.

This G1 race is also considered the female counterpart to the Arlington Million, showcasing the best all-aged female horses across the United States. In addition, the victress of this race gains automatic entry to the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in November.

American Pharoah Stakes (September 24)

The 1 1⁄16-mile American Pharoah Stakes race is Santa Anita Park’s fall staple. This year, it will be held on September 24. This American G1 race is widely known as a coveted target for the best two-year-old horses in California.

First, it’s a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, North America’s year-end championship for juvenile colts and geldings. Second, it splits 17 qualification points among the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis for the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the American Triple Crown. 

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (October 1-2)

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a G1 flat horse race that runs in the outskirts of Paris, specifically at ParisLongchamp Racecourse in Hippodrome de Longchamp each year. It’s currently dubbed as Europe’s richest race and in the top five world’s richest turf races. This year 2022, it boasts a total prize pool of $3,000,000. 

This prestigious European race will be held from October 1 to 2 this year. It’s another 1 mile 4 furlongs race that’s open to all Thoroughbreds from all age groups. Considering its current purse, the Arc will surely bring together European winners in one explosive event! 

Breeders’ Cup (November 4-5)

On November 4 and 5, Breeders’ Cup World Championships will once again card a slate of 14 Championship races worth beaucoup bucks, totaling more than $31 million this year. The race will take place for the third time in Keeneland, the Horse Capital of the World. 

The Breeders’ Cup is more than a year-end horse race featuring the best Thoroughbreds in every racing division. This season, each of the 14 races at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, will also play a major role in deciding the likely winners of the Eclipse Awards. 

Also Read The Boston Celtics Can Become The Most Successful NBA Team Ever

Cigar Mile Handicap (December 3)

Carrying a purse of around $750,000, and with all those three-year-old or over eligibles, the Cigar Mile can be considered one of North American key thoroughbred horse races. It will still be held at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York, but on December 3 this year. 

While it could be the last graded stakes of the year in the Empire State and couldn’t profoundly impact Eclipse Award voting, this G1 race could serve as a highly opportune time for a first. The first-timers can have a chance to secure initial G1 stakes win, substantially boosting their stock in the breeding shed as stallions.

Final Thoughts

There’s seasonality in horse racing. For example, there are usually new horses out for the flat turf season in spring, while you’ll get the same for the jumps in fall. Also, there are two seasons. One is in summer from August to September, and the second is in the fall or winter from November to December. Each can bring a slight difference in the racing schedule.