Since there are horses from England, France, Ireland, Germany and Canada competing in Saturday’s races at Arlington Park–as well as horses that began their careers in Brazil, Chile and South Africa–the Tribune asked four thoroughbred experts to rank the top-five racing countries outside the U.S.
1. England
The unparalleled equine empire established by the Maktoum ruling family of the United Arab Emirate of Dubai bases its best horses in England, the birthplace of thoroughbred racing. The Royal Ascot meeting is the world’s best.
2. France
Top class horses from England and Ireland frequently show up for classic races in France and vice-versa. The most prestigious race in Europe and perhaps the world is the Arc de Triomphe, run in early October at Longchamp.
3. Japan
Japanese racing has stringent restrictions limiting foreign participation. But since the 1990s the country has imported many of the winners of the Epsom Derby and the Kentucky Derby to stand at stud, producing a dramatic improvement in bloodstock quality.
4. Ireland
Two of the world’s most accomplished trainers, Dermot Weld and Aidan O’Brien, have their yards in Ireland and they’ve won classic races all over the world. The Curragh in Ireland is spoken of in the same breath as Newmarket in England.
5. Australia
Summertime here is wintertime in Australia so climate and geography combine to keep its out-standing horses away from America’s international races. But the racing is world class, and the Melbourne Cup is a bigger deal there than the Kentucky Derby is here.
Panel: Alastair Donald, executive director of the England-based International Racing Bureau; Fanny Salmon of the French racing channel, Equidia; Andreas Schutz, the German trainer who brought Epalo to run in the Million, and Mark Simon, editor of Thorough-bred Times, a trade publication based in Lexington, Ky.
