[Mick]

A horse race.  Maybe the answer to all three

Kentucky Derby, started in 1875 and run every year since.

Second oldest started the very next year in 1876.

Oldest started in 1851. Still held, but not every year.

Second oldest - Belmont Stakes?

Second oldest is the Westminster Dog Show, started in 1876. Belmont Stakes is older than the Kentucky Derby (started in 1867) but they had a  hiatus from 1911-12. The Preakness started in 1873, but had a hiatus from 1891 to 1893. The Kentucky Derby never had a hiatus, not during the World Wars, not during COVID, not during anti-gambling legislation.

For the very oldest, think domestic and aquatic.

[Mick]

A horse race.  Maybe the answer to all three

Kentucky Derby, started in 1875 and run every year since.

Second oldest started the very next year in 1876.

Oldest started in 1851. Still held, but not every year.

Second oldest - Belmont Stakes?

Second oldest is the Westminster Dog Show, started in 1876. Belmont Stakes is older than the Kentucky Derby (started in 1867) but they had a  hiatus from 1911-12. The Preakness started in 1873, but had a hiatus from 1891 to 1893. The Kentucky Derby never had a hiatus, not during the World Wars, not during COVID, not during anti-gambling legislation.

For the very oldest, think domestic and aquatic.