Flat Racing - Flat Racing in Great Britain

Flat Racing in Great Britain

In Great Britain, (and the majority of Europe) flat racing is split into two distinctive bands, conditions races and handicaps.

  • Conditions races are further split into:
    • Pattern races
      • Group 1 - (Classics and other races of major international importance)
      • Group 2 - (less important international races)
      • Group 3 - (primarily domestic races)
    • Listed races - have less prestige than the group races but are still more important than handicaps.
  • Handicap races - where the Jockey Club official handicapper gives horses a different weight to carry according to their ability, are the bread and butter daily races although some of these are also quite prestigious.

Classic Races - In British horse racing, The Classics are a series of horse races run over the flat (i.e. without jumps). Each classic is run once each year and is restricted to horses that are three years old; two of them are further restricted to fillies only. There are five Classic races:

  • 2,000 Guineas Stakes
  • 1,000 Guineas Stakes
  • Epsom Oaks
  • Epsom Derby
  • St. Leger Stakes

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