Thoroughbred racing always gets my heart racing and I know I’m not alone. With iconic tracks gearing up for another thrilling season the excitement is building for fans everywhere. There’s nothing like the anticipation of watching the world’s best horses and jockeys compete for glory.
I’ve put together a guide that’ll help you keep track of every major event on the horizon. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to catch the highlights on TV you won’t want to miss a single stride. Let’s dive into the full schedule and find out where to watch all the action live.
Overview of Upcoming Thoroughbred Racing Events
I track the latest thoroughbred racing events by monitoring leading US and international racecourses. Major venues like Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, and Santa Anita mark the season with graded stakes and prep races. I focus on significant races such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, since these Triple Crown legs attract top competitors each year. Peak racing seasons in the US generally span late April to early November, with marquee events concentrated on weekends.
Each week, I compile details from race calendars released by organizations like the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and TV broadcasters such as NBC Sports and Fox Sports. The upcoming events list prioritizes G1 and G2 stakes, which consistently feature elite fields and high purses. I emphasize events with widespread TV coverage, since access improves viewership.
For major spring and summer meets, I verify event dates, broadcast times, and networks to streamline planning for live viewing. I track changes in scheduling, as weather or track conditions sometimes prompt adjustments. All key events in my schedule include their venue, grade status, and relevant television availability, making navigation straightforward for followers throughout the thoroughbred racing season.
Major Races to Watch This Season
I monitor the thoroughbred calendar for top-tier events featuring premier horses, jockeys, and historic venues. Iconic meets like the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and Breeders’ Cup lead the season for live racing and national broadcasts.
Triple Crown Highlights
I rank the Triple Crown series as the highest profile in American horse racing. The sequence starts with the Kentucky Derby, followed by the Preakness Stakes and ends with the Belmont Stakes, each scheduled for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Only 12 horses have secured all three titles since 1875, underscoring the rarity and prestige. In 2025, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival took place June 4–8, with the 157th Belmont Stakes on June 7. Fox family networks—FS1, FS2, and FOX—delivered expansive coverage, drawing major attendance and national attention to this Triple Crown finale.
International Racing Events
I spotlight international fixtures like the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as global showpieces each autumn. The 2025 Breeders’ Cup assembles elite runners from North America, Europe, and Asia to compete for over $26 million in purses. Thirteen championship races unfold over two days at a select U.S. racetrack, attracting bettors and global audiences. U.S. telecasts feature major stakes worldwide, streaming international racing on networks including FanDuel TV and the Racetrack Television Network, so I access coverage for top-class action beyond the domestic circuit.
Complete Racing Schedule
The 2025 thoroughbred racing calendar features a packed schedule across major U.S. circuits. I monitor the top tracks and provide the latest dates and venues for major events.
Key Dates and Locations
Remington Park in Oklahoma opens its thoroughbred season on August 8 and closes December 20. I list the Oklahoma Derby on September 28 and the Springboard Mile on December 20 as featured events. The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Kentucky takes place on the first Saturday in May, serving as a cornerstone of the Triple Crown series. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California hosts significant September stakes such as the Generous Portion Stakes on September 1, I’m Smokin Stakes on September 5, Del Mar Debutante and John C. Mabee Stakes, Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on September 6, and the Del Mar Futurity. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships run in early November at Del Mar, offering Grade 1 races like the $6 million Classic and $4 million Turf, with over $26 million in total purses. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational, including a turf variant, happens in late January 2026 at Gulfstream Park in Florida with a $3 million purse. New York Racing Association events span Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga, with a full calendar available for 2025.
Regional Race Circuit Breakdown
I organize the racing calendar by four distinct U.S. regions. In the Midwest, Remington Park delivers live races from August through December, with weekly Thursday to Saturday racing and additional Wednesdays from December 3. West Coast action centers on Del Mar and Santa Anita Park, with Del Mar’s key races packed into September and the Malibu Stakes capping the year at Santa Anita in December. The East Coast follows the NYRA schedule, with Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga offering year-round stakes and graded races. In the South, Gulfstream Park in Florida highlights the Pegasus World Cup in January, anchoring the winter-season circuit. Each region provides live coverage and streaming, with major national events broadcast on networks including NBC and ESPN.
TV Coverage and Streaming Options
National broadcasters and digital networks offer extensive options for watching major thoroughbred racing events live. I monitor multiple TV channels and streaming services to track all available viewing platforms.
Major Sports Networks Broadcasting Races
Major sports networks like FS1 and FS2 provide national TV broadcast coverage for the Saratoga meet, with live races scheduled throughout the day across the season. FOX covers select Saratoga race days, especially on high-stakes weekends like Whitney Day in August. FanDuel TV airs races from numerous tracks, including Saratoga, Ellis Park, Monmouth Park, Gulfstream Park, and Woodbine, with continuous summer coverage. The Racetrack Television Network (RTN) delivers live multi-track broadcasts through subscriptions, accessible on DISH Network, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. The CW in Lexington airs Keeneland’s live coverage locally, while FanDuel Racing features simulcast shows for each Keeneland meet.
Online and Mobile Streaming Platforms
Digital streaming increases access to thoroughbred racing events across devices. NYRA Bets enables me to stream Saratoga races and place bets directly via its website and mobile app. Keeneland.com and the Keeneland Race Day app allow live viewing of every Keeneland meet, plus simulcasts and expert analysis. Keeneland also streams daily programs on its YouTube channel, offering free access for fans everywhere. RTN extends livestream coverage to computers, tablets, and smartphones, alongside TV integrations. FanDuel+ and YouTube carry live streams of major race days, giving viewers easy online access even outside traditional cable subscriptions.
Tips for Following Thoroughbred Racing Events Live
Checking official TV listings and streaming schedules connects me to live coverage of major thoroughbred racing events. I find main channels like FOX, FS1, FS2, FanDuel TV, and RTN consistently feature top races, with live streaming often available through digital platforms like NYRA Bets and YouTube for events such as Saratoga.
Using official streaming platforms like NYRA Bets gives me both high-quality live race feeds and secure wagering features. RTN and FanDuel TV support mobile and smart TV access for remote viewing, so I can follow major races from any location.
Accessing free Equibase past performances (PPs) directly assists my race handicapping during live broadcasts. Equibase provides statistical race data, historical placings, and trainer/jockey insights, which helps me analyze fields more effectively.
Planning ahead for key event dates—like the Belmont Stakes Festival, Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park, or Churchill Downs September meet—lets me prioritize time for the season’s most exciting races. I avoid missing coverage by checking for local blackout restrictions on TV broadcasts and by confirming race post times, which vary by venue.
Attending race days in person at tracks such as Churchill Downs or Remington Park always adds to the live atmosphere. When traveling isn’t possible, I use simulcast facilities and off-track betting locations to experience the races and participate in real-time wagering and excitement.
Conclusion
With another thrilling season of thoroughbred racing on the horizon I’m eager to see which horses and jockeys will rise to the occasion. Whether you’re tuning in for the classics or discovering new favorites at regional tracks there’s always something special about each race day.
I hope my schedule and TV guide help you catch every can’t-miss moment from the comfort of home or at the track itself. Get ready for an unforgettable year of racing action—I’ll be watching right alongside you.
