This comprehensive guide focuses on the various kinds of horse races found in the UK and Irish circuits, highlighting the dynamic hurdles of National Hunt racing and graceful Flat racing. Whether you're an experienced enthusiast or a beginner, familiarising yourself with each type will deepen your understanding of the sport's traditions and aid in selecting the races you may want to bet on.
With numerous horse race variations, it can be challenging for newcomers to grasp the distinctions, as races of all types can attract small, medium, or large fields. Investing time in learning about the different race types is worthwhile, as most bettors eventually specialise in just two or three types. Identifying the race types that are most likely to be profitable for you can be the key to achieving long-term success in horse racing or, at the very least, minimising losses.
Group Races
During the 1970s, an effort was made by authorities in Europe to prevent scheduling conflicts between the most prestigious horse races in Europe and the UK. This led to the collaboration of various entities to establish a calendar of high-quality races, which came to be referred to as The Pattern. Under this framework, Group/Graded races were introduced, where horses compete with equal weights. Group races represent the highest tier of flat racing, categorised into Groups 1, 2, and 3. Group 1 races are considered the pinnacle, typically featuring only the finest horses.
Graded Races
In the United Kingdom, National Hunt races refer to graded races. These graded races are categorised into Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3, with Grade 1 races being the most prestigious and known as Championship races.
Listed Races
A listed contest is a race that lacks the prestige and quality of Group races but still holds significance. These races attract horses of good quality and can serve as a stepping stone to Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3 events. The prize money offered is generally lower than that of Group or Graded races, although it can still be substantial.
Listed races typically do not impose restrictions based on a horse's official rating, but horses that have previously won at a higher level will carry a penalty in the form of additional weight, the extent of which depends on the level of their previous win.
These races are conducted over various distances and surfaces, and age restrictions may also apply.
It can be financially rewarding to seek out a horse capable of competing at the Group level participating in a Listed race. In some cases, you may hear that certain horses are targeting "black-type races," which means they need to achieve at least a placement in a listed race.
When a horse wins a high-quality race, its name is printed in capitalised "black type" letters, which signifies the horse's quality for future races and breeding purposes. Horses that finish in a placing position in these high-quality races are indicated by uncapitalised "black type."
Conditions Race
A conditions race is a type of horse race that is available to horses that meet particular requirements established by the organisers. These races are intended to attract horses of a certain standard, such as those that have not exceeded a specific amount of prize money or races exclusively for fillies. The monetary reward for winning such races can be quite substantial. The detailed criteria for each race are outlined in the race conditions that are made public by the racecourse or governing body. Conditions stakes races generally have a higher level of quality compared to classified races.
Classified Race
In a classified race, a horse's weight is determined based on its previous performances or the level of competition it has participated in before. This system guarantees competitive racing by grouping horses of similar abilities. To be eligible for a classified stakes race, a horse must have competed in at least three races or have raced twice with at least one victory. Both types of races have a maximum rating limit, meaning that horses closer to that limit should have an advantage in terms of weights assigned to them.
Handicap Races
Most of the races on most days will consist of handicaps, which are races where horses with similar abilities compete against each other. The purpose of these races is usually to ensure a competitive betting environment. The weights that horses carry in these races are determined by their official ratings. For example, a horse with a rating of 80 will carry 2 pounds more than a horse with a rating of 78.
The classification of the handicap race is determined by the maximum rating allowed for participating horses. For instance, a handicap race may be limited to horses with an official rating of up to 95.
Even the renowned Aintree Grand National, the most famous race in the world, is a handicap race. In some handicaps, you may come across a category known as a "long handicap." This occurs when horses do not have a high enough rating to carry the correct weight for the class of the race. The weight they would carry if they were running off their correct rating is usually indicated in the long handicap section below the race card.
Although some handicaps have a small number of participants, handicaps typically feature larger fields. The number of runners in a race determines the number of places and place terms for each bet. Handicaps with 16 or more runners are often considered to have the most favourable each-way terms, with bookmakers paying out on four places at a quarter of the odds. At least 8 runners are typically required for bookmakers to pay out for a third place.
Handicap races can also be quite versatile, as they encompass various types of races throughout the racing calendar, such as selling, maiden, apprentice, amateur, lady rider, gentleman rider, and listed handicaps. In 2023, there were nearly 7,000 handicap races in the UK, accounting for approximately 70% of all races.
Maiden Races
Most horses begin their racing journey in maiden races, which are specifically designed for horses that have not yet won a race. The quality of the maiden race provides an indication of the level of races the horses are likely to compete in as their careers progress.
While some horses achieve their first victory in a maiden race relatively quickly, others may take several years before securing a win. Once a horse has either won a maiden race or competed in three races, it becomes eligible for a handicap rating.
It's important to note that not all horses that start in maiden races will eventually participate in handicap races. Some horses will continue to compete in higher-quality races throughout their careers. The more prestigious maiden races are typically held at renowned courses such as Ascot, Newmarket, and York. Additionally, during the Glorious Goodwood Festival meeting, Goodwood Racecourse offers four class 2 maiden races, despite its unique track layout.
Nursery Races
Nurseries may appear peculiar, but they essentially serve as handicaps designed for horses in the 2-year-old age group, which is the youngest category eligible for competition. They can also be referred to as Juvenile races.
Novice Races
These races cater to inexperienced horses who are in the process of honing their skills, and they are open to both 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds who have not achieved more than two wins. However, there are certain novice events where horses become ineligible once they have exceeded a specified number of races.
In the realm of Jump racing, a novice chaser refers to a horse that has not won a chase race before the conclusion of the previous season, while a novice hurdler is a horse that has not won a hurdle race by that same timeframe.
Many National Hunt horses begin their careers by participating in novice hurdling and then progress to chasing if their trainers deem it suitable.
Selling Races
These races are considered to be of lower quality, as the winner is required to be put up for auction immediately after the race. In such races, horses that fail to win can be claimed by other trainers at a predetermined value determined by the trainers of the competing horses that were defeated.
Claiming Races
Typically, these races tend to attract a lower quality of horses compared to other races. What sets them apart is that all the horses participating in the race are essentially available for purchase after the race concludes.
The distinction between selling races and claiming races lies in the weight assigned to the horses. In selling races, horses usually run with a predetermined weight, whereas in claiming races, the weight is determined by the auction price set by the connections. The higher the auction reserve, the heavier the weight the horse must carry.
On occasion, a "superior" horse may compete in a claiming or selling race to regain confidence, and they often become the favourites, resulting in low betting odds.