Types and Classes of Horse Races
While some people think that all horse racing is the same, in fact there are several types and classes of horse racing in the UK that gamblers can choose to bet on. Here we look at the various options open to you if you want to get involved with betting on horse races in the United Kingdom and examine the different types and classes available.
Types of Horse Races
Here is a quick run down of the most common types of horse races in the UK:
The Steeplechase
These races are typically run over a distance of 2 to 4 miles and feature bigger jumps than found in a hurdle race as they must be a minimum of 4.5 feet in height and fixed in position. This race type is suited to experienced horses and there is a minimum age requirement – horses are not permitted to compete until the 1st July in the year of their 4th birthday. The Grand National is the UK's most famous steeplechase, held every year at Aintree.
The Hurdle
Covering a minimum distance of 2 miles, a Hurdle race features jumps with a minimum height of 3.5 feet that can collapse. Hurdle races are suited to less experienced horses although they may not compete until 1st July in the year of their 3rd birthday. The Stan James Intermediate Hurdle is a well known UK hurdle race.
The All-Weather
All weather racing is quite new in the UK and involves horses competing an a purpose built stadium that can be used in all weathers because of its artificial surface. Generally run in winter, these are becoming a more popular type of racing.
Jump Race
Formally known as National Hunt races, these involve horses jumping obstacles like water jumps, fences and ditches.
Flat Racing
This type of race involves horses racing over long tracks without any obstacles to jump. Epsom is one well known flat racing horse track. The season extends through summer and autumn.
While these are the main types of horse races, there are some other varieties across these categories including:
- Handicap races
- Bumper races
- Amateur races
- Claiming races
- Point to point
- Hunter chases
- Apprentice races
- Novice races
- Conditions races
- Stakes races
Horse Racing Classes
As well as having different types of races, there are also several classes of horse races in the UK. These help punters to determine the race's quality. Knowing which horses run in a particular class of race helps to inform your betting choices. There are a total of 7 classes in UK racing, some of which are further sub-divided.
Class 1
Class 1 is the highest class of race with only the top horses competing. These races are further broken down in jump racing into:
- Grade 1 – top championship races with the weight that the horse carries being determined by sex and age. No penalty is given for the previous wins of the horse
- Grade 2 – Similar to a grade 1 race, the weight of the runners is determined by sex and age but a penalty is given for previous wins
- Grade 3 – an open handicap race with the weight carried by the horse being determined by its handicap rating
- Listed races – a lower quality than a graded race but still of a high quality
In flat racing, class 1 races are divided into pattern races (the best) and then further groups:
- Group 1 – a race of international importance
- Group 2 – a major international race that is slightly less important than a group 1 race
- Group 3 – a key domestic race
- Listed races – still high quality but slightly less than a pattern race
In classes 2 to 7 horses may enter races based on the handicap rating they have been given.
- Class 2 – heritage handicaps and handicaps rated between 86 and 100, 91 and 105 and 96 and 110
- Class 3 – handicaps of between 76 and 90 and 81 and 95
- Class 4 – handicaps rated between 66 and 80 and 71 and 85
- Class 5 – handicaps rated between 56 and 70 and 61 and 75
- Class 6 – handicaps rated between 46 and 60 and 51 and 65
- Class 7 – handicaps rated between 46 and 50
Of course not every horse in a race will have the same rating as although the boundaries are fixed, the horses running in it are not. Therefore, it if you are monitoring a class level you will be able to see if a horse is in a class that is lower or higher than it should be and this can therefore inform your betting choices.