GITNUXREPORT 2026

Horse Racing Statistics

Horse racing blends historic events, legendary horses, and staggering financial stakes worldwide.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Northern Dancer leading sire by earnings $645M descendants.

Statistic 2

Sadler's Wells sired 328 stakes winners.

Statistic 3

Galileo earned €195M in progeny earnings.

Statistic 4

Mr. Prospector line dominates US breeding.

Statistic 5

Tapit leading US sire 2023, $20M fees.

Statistic 6

Dubawi UK/Ireland champion sire multiple years.

Statistic 7

Deep Impact Japan record sire earnings ¥22B.

Statistic 8

Storm Cat produced 200 stakes winners.

Statistic 9

A.P. Indy sired 3 Triple Crown winners.

Statistic 10

Danehill most successful global sire 200+ SW.

Statistic 11

Frankel first crop 5 SW in 2014.

Statistic 12

Unbridled's Song $30M progeny Belmont winners.

Statistic 13

Smart Strike sired Curlin and English Channel.

Statistic 14

Medaglia d'Oro top broodmare sire.

Statistic 15

Into Mischief leading 2023 NA sire.

Statistic 16

Quality Road $200K fee, champion sire.

Statistic 17

Australia (Galileo son) Group 1 winners galore.

Statistic 18

Justify first crop Eclipse champion 2023.

Statistic 19

American Pharoah $200K fee post-retirement.

Statistic 20

Winx produced first foal Time and Tide.

Statistic 21

Broodmare average sale $100K top tier.

Statistic 22

Inbreeding coefficient average 5-10% in pedigrees.

Statistic 23

TB foal crop US 20,000 yearly.

Statistic 24

Leading sire AEI (Avg Earnings Index) 2.50+ top.

Statistic 25

Danzig line influential in speed sires.

Statistic 26

Ribot most influential Italian sire.

Statistic 27

The Kentucky Derby purse is $3 million in 2023.

Statistic 28

Global horse racing betting turnover exceeds $100 billion annually.

Statistic 29

US thoroughbred racing handle was $11.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 30

Breeders' Cup total purses $31 million in 2023.

Statistic 31

Dubai World Cup purse $12 million for winner.

Statistic 32

Average US track purse per race $40,000 in 2022.

Statistic 33

UK racing prize money £4.3 billion in 2022.

Statistic 34

Melbourne Cup purse AUD $8.4 million in 2023.

Statistic 35

Saudi Cup purse $20 million total in 2023.

Statistic 36

Churchill Downs Inc. revenue $1.76 billion in 2022.

Statistic 37

Thoroughbred breeding market $2.5 billion yearly sales.

Statistic 38

HKJC betting turnover HK$150 billion annually.

Statistic 39

Average stallion stud fee $50,000 for top sires.

Statistic 40

Fasig-Tipton yearling sales top $300 million.

Statistic 41

Keeneland September Sale grossed $438 million in 2023.

Statistic 42

Japanese racing purses total ¥3.7 trillion yearly.

Statistic 43

Pari-mutuel betting takes 15-20% house cut.

Statistic 44

US horse ownership costs average $50,000/year per horse.

Statistic 45

Grand National betting over £100 million yearly.

Statistic 46

Arc de Triomphe purse €5.6 million in 2023.

Statistic 47

Average claiming race purse $20,000 US.

Statistic 48

Racing industry employs 400,000 in US.

Statistic 49

Online betting growth 20% post-COVID.

Statistic 50

Epsom Derby purse £1.5 million GBP.

Statistic 51

Total US purses $1.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 52

Top yearling sold for $13.1 million in 2020.

Statistic 53

The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, won by Aristides.

Statistic 54

Horse racing in the US dates back to 1665 in New York.

Statistic 55

The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867.

Statistic 56

The Preakness Stakes inaugural race occurred on May 27, 1873.

Statistic 57

The Triple Crown was first achieved by Sir Barton in 1919.

Statistic 58

Seabiscuit won the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap in a famous match race.

Statistic 59

Man o' War raced 21 times, winning 20 between 1919-1920.

Statistic 60

The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 in Australia.

Statistic 61

Royal Ascot began in 1711 under Queen Anne.

Statistic 62

The Grand National steeplechase started in 1839.

Statistic 63

Phar Lap won 37 of 51 races in Australia/NZ during 1920s-30s.

Statistic 64

Ruffian was undefeated in 10 starts before her tragic 1975 match race.

Statistic 65

Citation was the first Triple Crown winner to sire a winner in 1952.

Statistic 66

The Epsom Derby originated in 1780.

Statistic 67

Black Caviar won 25 consecutive races from 2009-2013.

Statistic 68

Frankel remained undefeated in 14 starts from 2009-2012.

Statistic 69

The Kentucky Derby distance was set at 1.25 miles in 1896.

Statistic 70

Secretariat set the Belmont record of 2:24 in 1973.

Statistic 71

The first Breeders' Cup was held in 1984 at Hollywood Park.

Statistic 72

Winx won 33 consecutive races including 25 Group 1s.

Statistic 73

The Dubai World Cup started in 1996 with $4M purse.

Statistic 74

Zenyatta won 19 straight before Breeders' Cup loss in 2009.

Statistic 75

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe began in 1920.

Statistic 76

American Pharoah ended 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015.

Statistic 77

Justify completed Triple Crown in 2018, undefeated in 6 starts.

Statistic 78

The first English Derby was won by Diomed in 1780.

Statistic 79

Red Rum won the Grand National three times: 1973, 1974, 1977.

Statistic 80

Affirmed and Alydar had epic rivalry in 1978 Triple Crown.

Statistic 81

The Jockey Club Gold Cup dates to 1869.

Statistic 82

California Chrome won 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Statistic 83

Laffit Pincay Jr. holds record 9,530 wins.

Statistic 84

Mike Smith has 5,600+ wins, multiple Triple Crown jockeys.

Statistic 85

Irad Ortiz Jr. led 2023 wins with 400+.

Statistic 86

Russell Baze career 12,844 wins world record.

Statistic 87

Frankie Dettori 3,000 UK wins in 1996 single year.

Statistic 88

Pat Day 8,774 wins, Hall of Famer.

Statistic 89

Joel Rosario Eclipse Award 2021, 300+ wins.

Statistic 90

Angel Cordero Jr. 7,057 wins.

Statistic 91

John Velazquez 6,500+ wins, 2023 Belmont jockey.

Statistic 92

Yutaka Take Japan record 4,000+ wins.

Statistic 93

Olivier Peslier French champion multiple times.

Statistic 94

Ryan Moore 100+ Group 1 wins globally.

Statistic 95

Chris McCarron 7,141 wins.

Statistic 96

Jerry Bailey 15 Breeders' Cup wins record.

Statistic 97

Jorge Velasquez 4 Kentucky Derbies.

Statistic 98

Gary Stevens 3 Triple Crown winners.

Statistic 99

Bill Shoemaker 8,833 wins most career.

Statistic 100

Eddie Arcaro 4 Kentucky Derbies, 5 Triple Crowns.

Statistic 101

Steve Cauthen youngest Derby winner at 18 in 1978.

Statistic 102

Kent Desormeaux 3 Derbies, alcohol suspension history.

Statistic 103

Flavien Prat top California jockey 2023.

Statistic 104

Umberto Rispoli leading HK jockey.

Statistic 105

James McDonald Australia champion.

Statistic 106

Christophe Soumillon 4 Arc wins.

Statistic 107

William Buick UK top jockey multiple years.

Statistic 108

Average jockey weight 115-120 lbs.

Statistic 109

Jockeys lose 10-15 lbs weekly to make weight.

Statistic 110

The average speed in the Kentucky Derby is about 37 mph.

Statistic 111

Secretariat's 1973 Belmont Stakes time was 2:24 for 1.5 miles.

Statistic 112

The fastest Kentucky Derby time is 1:59.40 by Secretariat in 1973.

Statistic 113

Dr. Fager set mile record of 1:32.2 in 1968.

Statistic 114

Hawkster ran 1.5 miles in 2:22.8 in 1989.

Statistic 115

Winning Brew holds dirt mile record at 1:11.6.

Statistic 116

Big Brown's 2008 Preakness time was 1:54.86.

Statistic 117

Frankel ran 2000m in 1:57.40 at Lockinge 2012.

Statistic 118

Cigar won 16 consecutive races 1995-1996.

Statistic 119

Citation holds record for most wins in a season: 1948 with 19.

Statistic 120

The fastest turf mile is 1:32.78 by Lord Kanaloa.

Statistic 121

Justify's Belmont time was 2:28.18 in 2018.

Statistic 122

Winx's Cox Plate time averaged under 2:03 for 2040m.

Statistic 123

American Pharoah's Triple Crown average margin was large.

Statistic 124

Black Caviar's average winning margin was 3 lengths.

Statistic 125

Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup wins: 13 from 14 starts.

Statistic 126

Arrogate's Travers Stakes time 1:59.36 in 2016.

Statistic 127

Flightline won 2022 Pacific Classic by 19.5 lengths.

Statistic 128

Battaash set 5f sprint record 53.43s at York.

Statistic 129

Elite horses run at speeds up to 40 mph.

Statistic 130

Average Kentucky Derby winner speed 36.5 mph.

Statistic 131

Ruffian's Travers time 2:01.75 unbeaten.

Statistic 132

Spectre ran 1m turf in 1:32.2 at Santa Anita.

Statistic 133

Maximum Security's 2019 Derby speed figure 120 Beyer.

Statistic 134

Gun Runner's 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic 2:00.7.

Statistic 135

Enable's Arc de Triomphe winning time 2:26.25.

Sources
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Imagine the thunder of hooves pounding the track—a sound echoing from the first races in colonial New York to Secretariat's earth-shattering Belmont Stakes run—as we delve into the rich history and staggering statistics that define the thrilling world of horse racing.

Key Takeaways

  • The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, won by Aristides.
  • Horse racing in the US dates back to 1665 in New York.
  • The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867.
  • The average speed in the Kentucky Derby is about 37 mph.
  • Secretariat's 1973 Belmont Stakes time was 2:24 for 1.5 miles.
  • The fastest Kentucky Derby time is 1:59.40 by Secretariat in 1973.
  • The Kentucky Derby purse is $3 million in 2023.
  • Global horse racing betting turnover exceeds $100 billion annually.
  • US thoroughbred racing handle was $11.2 billion in 2022.
  • Laffit Pincay Jr. holds record 9,530 wins.
  • Mike Smith has 5,600+ wins, multiple Triple Crown jockeys.
  • Irad Ortiz Jr. led 2023 wins with 400+.
  • Northern Dancer leading sire by earnings $645M descendants.
  • Sadler's Wells sired 328 stakes winners.
  • Galileo earned €195M in progeny earnings.

Horse racing blends historic events, legendary horses, and staggering financial stakes worldwide.

Breeding

  • Northern Dancer leading sire by earnings $645M descendants.
  • Sadler's Wells sired 328 stakes winners.
  • Galileo earned €195M in progeny earnings.
  • Mr. Prospector line dominates US breeding.
  • Tapit leading US sire 2023, $20M fees.
  • Dubawi UK/Ireland champion sire multiple years.
  • Deep Impact Japan record sire earnings ¥22B.
  • Storm Cat produced 200 stakes winners.
  • A.P. Indy sired 3 Triple Crown winners.
  • Danehill most successful global sire 200+ SW.
  • Frankel first crop 5 SW in 2014.
  • Unbridled's Song $30M progeny Belmont winners.
  • Smart Strike sired Curlin and English Channel.
  • Medaglia d'Oro top broodmare sire.
  • Into Mischief leading 2023 NA sire.
  • Quality Road $200K fee, champion sire.
  • Australia (Galileo son) Group 1 winners galore.
  • Justify first crop Eclipse champion 2023.
  • American Pharoah $200K fee post-retirement.
  • Winx produced first foal Time and Tide.
  • Broodmare average sale $100K top tier.
  • Inbreeding coefficient average 5-10% in pedigrees.
  • TB foal crop US 20,000 yearly.
  • Leading sire AEI (Avg Earnings Index) 2.50+ top.
  • Danzig line influential in speed sires.
  • Ribot most influential Italian sire.

Breeding Interpretation

It is a dynastic empire of hooves and bank accounts, where the ghost of Northern Dancer collects his 2% from the afterlife, Frankel’s kids show up ready to work, and every champion's pedigree is a carefully negotiated merger between the old-money influence of Danzig and the disruptive tech of Mr. Prospector's line.

Economics

  • The Kentucky Derby purse is $3 million in 2023.
  • Global horse racing betting turnover exceeds $100 billion annually.
  • US thoroughbred racing handle was $11.2 billion in 2022.
  • Breeders' Cup total purses $31 million in 2023.
  • Dubai World Cup purse $12 million for winner.
  • Average US track purse per race $40,000 in 2022.
  • UK racing prize money £4.3 billion in 2022.
  • Melbourne Cup purse AUD $8.4 million in 2023.
  • Saudi Cup purse $20 million total in 2023.
  • Churchill Downs Inc. revenue $1.76 billion in 2022.
  • Thoroughbred breeding market $2.5 billion yearly sales.
  • HKJC betting turnover HK$150 billion annually.
  • Average stallion stud fee $50,000 for top sires.
  • Fasig-Tipton yearling sales top $300 million.
  • Keeneland September Sale grossed $438 million in 2023.
  • Japanese racing purses total ¥3.7 trillion yearly.
  • Pari-mutuel betting takes 15-20% house cut.
  • US horse ownership costs average $50,000/year per horse.
  • Grand National betting over £100 million yearly.
  • Arc de Triomphe purse €5.6 million in 2023.
  • Average claiming race purse $20,000 US.
  • Racing industry employs 400,000 in US.
  • Online betting growth 20% post-COVID.
  • Epsom Derby purse £1.5 million GBP.
  • Total US purses $1.1 billion in 2022.
  • Top yearling sold for $13.1 million in 2020.

Economics Interpretation

This torrent of billions in bets, breeding, and prize money reveals horse racing as a gilded ecosystem where staggering wealth is always just one furlong ahead of the stable's crushing expenses.

History

  • The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, won by Aristides.
  • Horse racing in the US dates back to 1665 in New York.
  • The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867.
  • The Preakness Stakes inaugural race occurred on May 27, 1873.
  • The Triple Crown was first achieved by Sir Barton in 1919.
  • Seabiscuit won the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap in a famous match race.
  • Man o' War raced 21 times, winning 20 between 1919-1920.
  • The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 in Australia.
  • Royal Ascot began in 1711 under Queen Anne.
  • The Grand National steeplechase started in 1839.
  • Phar Lap won 37 of 51 races in Australia/NZ during 1920s-30s.
  • Ruffian was undefeated in 10 starts before her tragic 1975 match race.
  • Citation was the first Triple Crown winner to sire a winner in 1952.
  • The Epsom Derby originated in 1780.
  • Black Caviar won 25 consecutive races from 2009-2013.
  • Frankel remained undefeated in 14 starts from 2009-2012.
  • The Kentucky Derby distance was set at 1.25 miles in 1896.
  • Secretariat set the Belmont record of 2:24 in 1973.
  • The first Breeders' Cup was held in 1984 at Hollywood Park.
  • Winx won 33 consecutive races including 25 Group 1s.
  • The Dubai World Cup started in 1996 with $4M purse.
  • Zenyatta won 19 straight before Breeders' Cup loss in 2009.
  • The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe began in 1920.
  • American Pharoah ended 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015.
  • Justify completed Triple Crown in 2018, undefeated in 6 starts.
  • The first English Derby was won by Diomed in 1780.
  • Red Rum won the Grand National three times: 1973, 1974, 1977.
  • Affirmed and Alydar had epic rivalry in 1978 Triple Crown.
  • The Jockey Club Gold Cup dates to 1869.
  • California Chrome won 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

History Interpretation

The history of horse racing is a thrilling chronicle of equine excellence and human obsession, proving that for centuries we've been perfectly happy to watch other beings run in circles for our amusement, just so long as they do it with breathtaking, record-shattering style.

Jockey

  • Laffit Pincay Jr. holds record 9,530 wins.
  • Mike Smith has 5,600+ wins, multiple Triple Crown jockeys.
  • Irad Ortiz Jr. led 2023 wins with 400+.
  • Russell Baze career 12,844 wins world record.
  • Frankie Dettori 3,000 UK wins in 1996 single year.
  • Pat Day 8,774 wins, Hall of Famer.
  • Joel Rosario Eclipse Award 2021, 300+ wins.
  • Angel Cordero Jr. 7,057 wins.
  • John Velazquez 6,500+ wins, 2023 Belmont jockey.
  • Yutaka Take Japan record 4,000+ wins.
  • Olivier Peslier French champion multiple times.
  • Ryan Moore 100+ Group 1 wins globally.
  • Chris McCarron 7,141 wins.
  • Jerry Bailey 15 Breeders' Cup wins record.
  • Jorge Velasquez 4 Kentucky Derbies.
  • Gary Stevens 3 Triple Crown winners.
  • Bill Shoemaker 8,833 wins most career.
  • Eddie Arcaro 4 Kentucky Derbies, 5 Triple Crowns.
  • Steve Cauthen youngest Derby winner at 18 in 1978.
  • Kent Desormeaux 3 Derbies, alcohol suspension history.
  • Flavien Prat top California jockey 2023.
  • Umberto Rispoli leading HK jockey.
  • James McDonald Australia champion.
  • Christophe Soumillon 4 Arc wins.
  • William Buick UK top jockey multiple years.
  • Average jockey weight 115-120 lbs.
  • Jockeys lose 10-15 lbs weekly to make weight.

Jockey Interpretation

In the relentless pursuit of the win photo, jockeys balance the grand scale of career records like Baze's 12,844 against the brutal, weekly arithmetic of shedding 10 pounds, proving this sport is as much about legendary endurance as it is about dramatic, featherweight precision.

Performance

  • The average speed in the Kentucky Derby is about 37 mph.
  • Secretariat's 1973 Belmont Stakes time was 2:24 for 1.5 miles.
  • The fastest Kentucky Derby time is 1:59.40 by Secretariat in 1973.
  • Dr. Fager set mile record of 1:32.2 in 1968.
  • Hawkster ran 1.5 miles in 2:22.8 in 1989.
  • Winning Brew holds dirt mile record at 1:11.6.
  • Big Brown's 2008 Preakness time was 1:54.86.
  • Frankel ran 2000m in 1:57.40 at Lockinge 2012.
  • Cigar won 16 consecutive races 1995-1996.
  • Citation holds record for most wins in a season: 1948 with 19.
  • The fastest turf mile is 1:32.78 by Lord Kanaloa.
  • Justify's Belmont time was 2:28.18 in 2018.
  • Winx's Cox Plate time averaged under 2:03 for 2040m.
  • American Pharoah's Triple Crown average margin was large.
  • Black Caviar's average winning margin was 3 lengths.
  • Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup wins: 13 from 14 starts.
  • Arrogate's Travers Stakes time 1:59.36 in 2016.
  • Flightline won 2022 Pacific Classic by 19.5 lengths.
  • Battaash set 5f sprint record 53.43s at York.
  • Elite horses run at speeds up to 40 mph.
  • Average Kentucky Derby winner speed 36.5 mph.
  • Ruffian's Travers time 2:01.75 unbeaten.
  • Spectre ran 1m turf in 1:32.2 at Santa Anita.
  • Maximum Security's 2019 Derby speed figure 120 Beyer.
  • Gun Runner's 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic 2:00.7.
  • Enable's Arc de Triomphe winning time 2:26.25.

Performance Interpretation

These horses, whether thundering to glory in just over a minute or dominating for an entire season, prove that the pinnacle of the sport isn't just raw speed, but a breathtaking union of power, heart, and relentless will to win.

Sources & References

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