Top Horse Races

England

The Epsom Derby was first held in 1780 and is now run over one-and-a-half miles at Epsom Downs each June. The first winner was a horse named Diomed. Jockey Lester Piggott won the Derby a record nine times.

The Grand National is the world's best-known steeplechase. a horse race over a course with obstacles to be jumped. It was first run as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase in 1839. The race now takes place every spring over four-and-a-half miles at Aintree in England and the winning horse has to clear 30 challenging fences. The famous horse Red Rum won the race a record three times between 1972-76.

France

• The Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe was first run in 1920. It takes place on the first Sunday in October every year and covers 2,400m over the Longchamps race course, Paris. Alleged, ridden by Lester Piggott, won the race in 1977 and 1978 and was the last horse to win two years in a row.

Australia

The most important horse race in Australia is the Melbourne Cup which dates from 1861. It is run on the first Tuesday in November at the Flemington Park race track in Victoria. Trainer Bart Cummings won the race a record 11 times between 1965 and 1999.

United States

The Kentucky Derby was first held in 1875. It is run over one mile two furlongs at Churchill Downs, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May and is the most famous of all US horse races Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack have been the most successful.