When the summer sports action ends, the horse racing season continues unabated. Some of the most exciting races on the calendar take part in the fall months, as the weather cools and the ground becomes a little softer. Across the states, many trainers and jockeys gear up the best horses for the Breeders Cup, but many other events also take place. Below, we give you the most important US horse racing events of fall and winter. 

Breeders Cup

The Breeders Cup has one sole purpose: to determine the best horse by age, sex, different tracks, and distances. For the winners, instant fame is guaranteed. Formerly a single-day event, it is now spread out over two days in November. Including 14 races, these range from the Juvenile Turf to the coveted Breeders Cup Mile. Each race has a prize fund of $1 to $2 million. 

The Breeders’ Cup Mile takes place on grass over one mile. Run on different courses each year, it is always exciting and one of the most vibrant races on the whole calendar. There are 14 runners in the race, and entry can be gained through one of the “Win and you are in” races held throughout the previous year. These races take place across the globe, from England to Tokyo. 

One of the legends of the race must be Goldikova, a French thoroughbred that holds the record for winning the race three times, consecutively between 2008 and 2010. Last year saw the Godolphin Space Blue win the race and jockeyed by William Buick. This year’s race will be as tight, and it will pay to keep an eye on the odds as laid out by some of the best horse racing betting sites, like TwinSpires.

Keeneland Turf Mile

Also known as the Keeneland Turf Mile, this race is a Grade I Thoroughbred race and a staple of the fall calendar. It has been run since 1986 and is for horses of three years and older. Each will compete for a $1 million prize fund. Winners also gain entry to the prestigious Breeders Cup Mile in November. 

The first race was won by the outsider Leprechauns Wish, and the race has continued to throw up some surprises in the years since. Other champion winners have included Perfect Soul, Gio Ponti, and Steinlen. Jockey Robby Albarado has ridden an astounding four winners at the race. 

Jockey Club Gold Cup

The Jockey Club Gold Cup is one of the oldest races on the continent. It was first to run in 1919 and has been the main fall event at Belmont Park Racecourse. Last year, for the first time in history, it moved to Saratoga to better align the calendar with the Breeders Cup. 

Run on the flat over 1 ¼ mile, it is part of the Breeders Cup Challenger Series with the winner automatically qualifying for the Cup Classic. It is a Grade I race with a prize purse of $1,250,000. Former winners of the race include top horses like Man’O’War, John Henry, Buckpasser, and Sword Dancer. 

Clark Stakes

The Clark Stake, formerly known as the Clark Handicap, is one of the oldest races in the US dating back to 1875. It takes place annually at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. A Grade I event, its name comes from Colonel M, Lewis Clark who created the track and was the founder of the Jockey Club. 

Throughout its history, race has changed distances. Currently, it is 1 1/8 miles on a dirt track. A horse must be three years and older to run in the race, and a prize fund of $750,000 is on offer. Last year’s race was won by Maxfield, a Godolphin-owned horse ridden by Jose Ortiz. 

La Brea Stakes

The Brea Stakes is a great way to close the year. A stake for three-year-old fillies, the Grade 1 race is contested over seven furlongs. It takes place in Santa Anita Park, California, and offers a prize of $300,000 to the winner. It has been running annually since 1974.

Many of the race winners have gone on to great success afterward, many of them birthing some outstanding horses. Lady’s Secret was one of the most successful, later going on to win the Breeders’ cup Distaff, US Champion Older filly, and becoming US Horse of the Year. Last year’s winner was Kalypso ridden by Jockey John Velazquez.