Springtime is always a brilliant part of the year for sports fans. We get to see the thrilling conclusion to events like the Six Nations, the Premier League, and the Champions League deliver their grand finales, and we get to see the tennis and golf seasons really pick up with events like the French Open and the Masters.  

Yet, horse racing, which goes on all year round, is all-action across the spring months. It’s an excellent opportunity to attend a racing meeting or engage with the sport by watching the action on television or betting on horses online. Regardless, there are some vast events upcoming on the global racing calendar. Below, we have picked some of the best spring events from the UK and the USA: 

Aintree Grand National April 5  

Some may argue that Cheltenham has eclipsed all other UK racing events, but nothing beats the Grand National as an individual race. The event brings in casual fans, stopping the nation for ten minutes as the field navigates the ultra-tough Aintree fences. It’s an excellent race for fan engagement, from charity fundraisers to office sweepstakes getting people in the mood. It’s also worth remembering that the Grand National is part of a broader event, the three-day Aintree Festival, which has grown in stature over recent years.  

Punchestown Gold Cup April 30  

If you are a racing fan, you’ll know that the Irish have dominated in recent years, especially in jumps racing. The Punchestown Festival acts as a curtain call for the Irish jumps season. The festival features numerous Grade 1 events, featuring many stars who conquered the British at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. It’s a fantastic event and worth the ferry trip to Dublin if you fancy a few days sipping Guinness in the late Irish springtime.  

Kentucky Derby May 3  

The Run for the Roses is the most famous US horse race, but it attracts an international audience. The festival that surrounds it is a draw in itself, with a carnival atmosphere in the weeks surrounding the racing at Louisville. Of course, the Kentucky Derby is a big business as it is one of the world’s biggest wagering races. UK viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports, with the big race itself going off just before midnight.  

2000 Guineas May 3  

The 2000 Guineas and its sister race, the 1000 Guineas, don’t officially start the flat racing season in the UK, but it always feels like they are the herald races for the summer season. The jumps season is left behind, and we can look forward to the (hopefully) better weather of the flat racing campaign. Of course, these are giant races that set the tone for the summer ahead.  

Preakness Stakes May 17  

Returning to the United States and the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. There is always a special excitement around this one as hopes are raised that the winner of the Kentucky Derby can create a bit of sporting history by taking the Preakness Stakes, later going for the Triple Crown with the Belmont Stakes (held a few weeks later). Even if we don’t get a horse going for the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes is one of the significant events of US racing. Whisper it: some even believe it is a better event than the more globally recognized Kentucky Derby.