What is the difference between group and class in horse racing?

What is a group race?

Back in 1971 a system was introduced to classify the most important conditions races, these are known as group races. This is a Europe wide system and includes races such as the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe and the Irish Derby as well as top UK races.

What is a group 1 race in horse racing?

Group 1 – races of major international importance and included in these are the five British Classics; the 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas, the Oaks, the Derby and the St. Leger. Group 2 – major international races of a slightly lower grade than Group 1.

What are Grade 3 National Hunt races?

Grade 3 National Hunt Races Explained Grade 3 races are the lower profile races of the Class 1 events. However, “lower profile” does not imply a lack of quality, excitement, or valuable purses. The Grade 3s offer enough thrills to keep up with their more affluent counterparts. Stop by and see some domestic talent in jaw-dropping form.

What are the different classifications of horse racing?

Read more below about horse racing types and classifications. If you are completely new to horse racing in the UK then there are two major classifications of horse racing, flat racing and jump racing, referred to as National Hunt racing.

How are National Hunt races classified?

At the end of every National Hunt season the British and Irish Jumps Handicappers classify horses according to their ability. Races are run in each class, with the ability of the horse determining which class it runs in. We’ll now have a look at the different types of race we’ve just mentioned.

What does G1 G2 and G3 mean in horse racing?

(Please note, that G1, G2 and G3 means internationally recognized Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 races, while Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 means Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 races, recognized in Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.)

Are National Hunt horses Thoroughbreds?

National Hunt horses do not have to be Thoroughbreds: many French-bred jumpers are Selle Français or AQPS. Many horses begin their racing careers in amateur point-to-pointing where they compete over steeplechase races of three miles (4.8 km).

What is the difference between National Hunt and flat racing?

National Hunt horses have much longer race careers compared to their flat thoroughbred cousins and some can, in some circumstances race, for well over ten years. This longevity creates stronger bonds between punters and horses in National Hunt racing that is far less common in flat racing.

What are the different types of National Hunt races?

Types of National Hunt Races 1 Steeplechases. The steeplechase is the oldest form of jump racing, the name comes early Irish racing where horses would race from the church steeple in one town to the next. 2 Hurdles. … 3 Bumpers – National Hunt Flat Races.

What is the difference between a G1 and a G2 race?

If you look at the entry list for some races, there will be a maximum number of entries with priority given to winners of grade 1 events then grade 2 then grade 3, etc. G1 (like the Kentucky Derby) is better than G2 which is better than G3 which is better than an ungraded stakes race.

What is a National Hunt flat horse race?

National Hunt Flat (Bumpers): Flat races usually over a trip of two miles. Restricted to horses between the ages of four and six who have either not previously run at all, or have only ever run in bumpers. Many national hunt horses gain their first race course experience in these races.

What is National Hunt horse racing?

As we see above, National Hunt (or Jump) racing, the horses jump either hurdles or fences. The core of the National Hunt season is run over the winter when the ground is softer and more appropriate for jumping. Sometimes you might even hear NH/Jump racing referred to as ‘racing over the sticks’ or ‘chasing’ (steeple chasing).

What is a National Hunt Flat race?

National Hunt Flat Races, known colloquially as ‘bumpers’, are run usually over two miles with no obstacles and are for National Hunt horses which are aged seven and under and may need some racecourse experience before going on to jump hurdles. National Hunt racing is seen mostly as a winter sport and so dovetails nicely with the flat.

What is the difference between National Hunt and jumps racing?

National Hunt horses are more robust, racing for longer, and usually reach the height of their powers between seven and ten. For many, that lower turnover is the great selling point of jumps racing.

What are the two types of horse racing?

There are two types of horse racing – National Hunt and Flat racing. In National Hunt racing, commonly known as jumps racing, horses are required to jump obstacles over distances ranging from two miles to more than four and a quarter miles. The two types of obstacles in jumps racing are hurdles and fences.

What is the difference between flat and jumping horse racing?

Flat is typically faster and shorter, rewarding sprinters, while National Hunt’s many jumping tests and longer distances make it suited to horses that excel at endurance. The shortest flat race is more than a mile shorter than the quickest jumps race.

Do National Hunt horses come from flat racing bloodlines?

That National Hunt horses invariably come from flat racing bloodlines is not a fact that the industry is keen to advertise. The National Stud’s leading sire, Silver Patriarch, is marketed as a National Hunt sire, even though he never jumped a hurdle or fence in his racing life!

How long are National Hunt horse races?

In National Hunt racing horses are required to jump either fences of hurdles. How long are National Hunt Races? Races are run over a distance between 2 miles and 4 miles. What is the difference between a hurdle and a fence? Hurdles are smaller obstacles than fences, with fences taking more jumping. When does National Hunt Racing take Place?

What type of race would a horse new to National Hunt racing?

We’ll start by looking at the type of race that a horse new to the world of National hunt racing would start with, a flat race.

Can AQPS horses race in NHF races?

Most AQPS horses start off in AQPS flat races, which up until 2008 were regarded as normal flat races which meant they were ineligible for our bumpers. That rule has subsequently been changed and horses that have run in AQPS races can now race in NHF races.

What is the difference between flat and National Hunt horse racing?

The fundamental difference between Flat and National Hunt racing is simply that Flat races are run on a level racecourse, while National Hunt or simply ‘jumps’ racing takes place on courses with hurdles or fences for the runners to get over.

What is the difference between jumps and flat horse racing?

Where jumps racing has novice races as a division, Flat racing has juvenile contests, designed for two-year-old colts or fillies embarking on their first season of racing. Horses can race on turf or on all-weather surfaces, where the going consistently remains as standard, regardless of weather conditions.

Do horses jump hurdles in National Hunt races?

In National Hunt racing horses are required to jump either fences of hurdles. How long are National Hunt Races? Races are run over a distance between 2 miles and 4 miles. What is the difference between a hurdle and a fence?

What is the classification of a National Hunt race?

All National Hunt races are also classified in classes 1-7 (class 1 best). Graded and listed races are class 1. The capital of National Hunt racing in the UK is Cheltenham Racecourse, in the Cotswolds, which hosts the Cheltenham Festival in the third week of March each year, as well as other important fixtures during the NH calendar.