Flat racing
Flat racing is a term commonly used in the
United Kingdom to denote a form of
horse racing which is run over a predetermined distance and in which the horses are not required to jump over obstacles such as hurdles or fences as in
National Hunt racing. This form of racing is a test of speed and stamina, and the skill of the
jockey in determining when to hold the horse back or make it work harder.
Racing takes place on a natural grass surface (turf) or on a synthetic surface (known as "all-weather").
The flat races in the United Kingdom are run over a variety of distances from five
furlongs (1006 m) to over two
miles (3219 m) and are generally called sprints, middle distance or stayers races.
Racing in Europe is generally on "turf" or grass, while in the US, the more important races are on "dirt" or all weather. In Europe, The two most powerful "teams" are
Coolmore Stud farm, most of whose horses are trained by
Aidan O'Brien in
County Tipperary in
Ireland and owned by
John Magnier and/or
Michael Tabor, and the
United Arab Emirates based
Godolphin stables, owned by the
Sheikh Mohammed and his brothers but based during the summer in
Newmarket,
England.
In the
United Kingdom, (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.
*The United Kingdom has five Classic races:
**
Epsom Derby**
Epsom Oaks**
One Thousand Guineas Stakes**
St. Leger Stakes.
**
Two Thousand Guineas Stakes*
List of British flat horse races*
List of French flat horse races*
List of Irish flat horse races*
List of horse races
