British horse racing has two principal codes: Flat racing and National Hunt racing.

Within those two codes are many different race types. Group races, Graded races, handicaps, Listed races, maidens, novices, sellers, claimers, bumpers and hunter chases all operate under different conditions.

Race type should not be confused with race class.

A Class 4 handicap and a Class 4 novice race sit at the same broad class level but operate under different rules. Similarly, a Group 1 Flat race and Grade 1 chase are both elite races, but belong to different codes and classification systems.

Understanding the distinction makes racecards considerably easier to read.

For the broader quality structure, see our horse racing classes explained page.

Main Types of Horse Racing in Britain

British racing is divided primarily into:

Flat Racing: Racing without obstacles, staged on turf and all-weather surfaces.
National Hunt Racing: Jump racing involving hurdles, fences and National Hunt Flat races.

Both codes contain further divisions.

Flat racing includes Group races, Listed races, handicaps, maidens, novices, conditions races and several specialist race types.

National Hunt racing includes Graded and Listed races, handicap hurdles and chases, novice races, juvenile hurdles, hunter chases and bumpers.

Our UK Racecourses guide covers the courses staging these different forms of racing.

Flat Racing

Flat racing is racing without obstacles.

Horses race from the starting stalls to the finishing line over a specified distance.

British Flat racing takes place on both turf and artificial surfaces.

The main turf season contains the Classics, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor Festival, St Leger Festival, British Champions Day and many of Britain’s most important races.

All-weather racing allows Flat racing to continue throughout the year.

Britain’s current all-weather courses use artificial surfaces rather than turf, and the form can differ significantly between the two.

Flat racing ranges from five-furlong sprints to staying races over much longer distances.

Flat Racing on Turf

Turf remains central to British Flat racing.

Racecourses vary substantially in configuration.

Some are flat and galloping. Others are tight, undulating or contain pronounced cambers.

Chester, Epsom, Newmarket and Ascot all ask different questions of a racehorse.

That makes course suitability important even though no obstacles are involved.

The horse racing going also influences performance because turf conditions can range from firm through to heavy.

All-Weather Racing

All-weather racing takes place on artificial racing surfaces.

It forms a substantial part of the modern British Flat programme rather than simply acting as a substitute when turf racing cannot take place.

British all-weather tracks include courses such as Newcastle, Southwell, Wolverhampton, Kempton, Lingfield and Chelmsford.

Different tracks use different artificial surfaces and configurations.

A horse that performs strongly on one all-weather course is not automatically suited by another.

Newcastle’s straight course, for example, creates a different test from the tighter circuit at Wolverhampton.

What Are Pattern Races?

The Pattern represents the upper end of the Flat racing programme.

In Britain, the principal Pattern levels are:

Group 1
Group 2
Group 3

Group 1 represents the highest level.

Group 2 comes next, followed by Group 3.

Listed races sit below Group level within the wider black-type programme.

The conditions vary between individual races, including restrictions based on age or sex and the allowances or penalties specified in the race conditions.

Group 1 Races

Group 1 represents the highest level of Flat racing.

These races attract many of the leading horses in Britain, Ireland and internationally.

British Group 1 races include several of the sport’s best-known contests, including:

2,000 Guineas
1,000 Guineas
Epsom Derby
Epsom Oaks
St Leger
Lockinge Stakes
Ascot Gold Cup
Coral-Eclipse
July Cup
Nunthorpe Stakes
Sprint Cup

The five British Classics are all Group 1 races.

The designation does not mean every Group 1 provides exactly the same test. They cover different distances, ages and sections of the racing population.

A specialist five-furlong sprinter and a two-and-a-half-mile stayer can therefore both be Group 1 performers.

Our Group 1 races page covers Britain’s top Flat races in more detail.

Group 2 Races

Group 2 is the second level of the Flat Pattern.

These are high-quality races that can contain established Group 1 horses as well as improving horses attempting to progress towards the highest level.

British examples include:

The precise conditions matter.

Some Group 2 races act as recognised stepping stones towards Group 1 targets, while others are significant prizes in their own right.

Group 3 Races

Group 3 is the third level of the Flat Pattern.

It remains high-quality Flat racing.

Group 3 races can be particularly useful for horses moving out of Listed company or horses dropping from stronger Group races.

Examples include races such as the Chester Vase, Musidora Stakes, Brigadier Gerard Stakes, Jersey Stakes and Rose of Lancaster Stakes.

A horse dropping from Group 1 or Group 2 into Group 3 company can face weaker opposition, but that does not automatically make it well suited by the race.

Distance, going, course and race conditions still matter.

Listed Flat Races

Listed races form part of the black-type racing programme immediately below Group level.

They should not simply be described as an intermediate form of handicap racing.

Many Listed races are non-handicaps and operate according to their own published conditions.

They can attract improving horses stepping out of ordinary conditions company, previous Group performers dropping in grade and horses being tested to establish whether they are capable of competing in Pattern company.

Listed form is therefore an important part of assessing the progression of a Flat horse.

What Does Black Type Mean?

Black type is particularly important in breeding and bloodstock.

The term comes from the way significant performances are highlighted in sales catalogues and pedigrees.

Success or placings in qualifying Pattern and Listed races can add considerable value to a horse’s pedigree, particularly for fillies and mares likely to enter breeding.

Black type is not itself an ordinary race type such as a handicap or novice.

It describes recognised high-quality races and the pedigree significance attached to performances in them.

The Five British Classic Races

Britain has five Flat Classics.

They are:

2,000 Guineas: One mile at Newmarket for three-year-old colts and fillies.
1,000 Guineas: One mile at Newmarket for three-year-old fillies.
Epsom Oaks: Approximately one mile and four furlongs at Epsom for three-year-old fillies.
Epsom Derby: Approximately one mile and four furlongs at Epsom for three-year-old colts and fillies.
St Leger: Approximately one mile, six furlongs and 115 yards at Doncaster for three-year-old colts and fillies.

The Classics test different qualities.

The Guineas races are staged over a mile.

The Derby and Oaks require horses to stay approximately a mile and a half while handling the unusual demands of Epsom Racecourse.

The St Leger is the longest of the five.

The British Triple Crown

The traditional British Triple Crown for colts consists of:

2,000 Guineas
Epsom Derby
St Leger

Winning all three requires a three-year-old to demonstrate elite ability over markedly different distances.

The fillies’ equivalent combines:

1,000 Guineas
Epsom Oaks
St Leger

The increasing distance through the season makes either achievement exceptionally difficult.

Handicap Races

Handicaps make up a large part of everyday British racing.

The aim is to create competitive races by asking horses of different abilities to carry different weights.

A horse’s Official Rating is central to this process.

In simple terms, the higher-rated horse generally carries more weight than a lower-rated rival, subject to the conditions of the race.

The system is designed to reduce the advantage enjoyed by the higher-rated horse.

It does not mean all horses genuinely have an equal chance.

Form, going, draw, pace, course suitability and changes in ability still affect the result.

Our horse racing handicapping guide explains the process in detail, while our handicap ratings page covers Official Ratings.

Heritage Handicaps

Heritage Handicaps are major Flat handicaps within the British programme.

They include some of the best-known betting races of the season.

Examples include races such as:

These races often attract large and competitive fields.

Our Heritage Handicaps page covers this part of the Flat programme.

Restricted Handicaps

A handicap can include additional eligibility restrictions.

These may relate to age, sex, rating range or other conditions set out in the race programme.

The handicap principle remains the same: weights are allocated with reference to the horses’ ratings and the conditions of the race.

Always read the complete race conditions rather than relying solely on the word “handicap”.

Nursery Handicaps

A nursery is a handicap for two-year-old horses.

Young horses need to establish enough form before the handicapper can assess their ability.

Nurseries therefore introduce juveniles to handicap racing after they have produced sufficient racecourse evidence.

Two-year-olds can improve quickly, which makes nursery handicaps interesting.

A horse’s Official Rating reflects what it has shown so far, but a developing juvenile may progress beyond that level rapidly.

Maiden Races

A maiden is a horse that has not yet won a race within the relevant context of the race conditions.

Maiden races provide opportunities for horses still seeking their first success.

Fields can contain horses with very different levels of experience.

One runner may have finished second several times, while another may be making its racecourse debut.

That makes maiden races particularly sensitive to improvement and limited evidence.

Previous finishing position alone is rarely enough to assess them.

Novice Races

Novice races are designed for horses meeting the novice conditions specified for that race.

They should not be reduced to a rule such as “horses that have won no more than two races”.

Eligibility depends on the code and the individual race conditions.

Novice races can include horses that have already won.

Penalties may apply to previous winners, depending on the conditions.

The key difference from a maiden is therefore straightforward: a maiden is centred on horses seeking a first win, while a novice race can contain previous winners that remain eligible.

Conditions Races

Conditions races determine eligibility and weights according to the published conditions rather than operating as conventional handicaps.

Relevant factors can include:

Age
Sex
Previous Wins
Race Grade
Penalties
Allowances

Two horses with different Official Ratings can therefore carry the same weight in a conditions race.

This is why it is important to distinguish between a handicap and a conditions race when reading a racecard.

Classified Races

Classified races bring together horses within specified rating conditions.

They differ from conventional handicaps because runners can compete at set weights according to the race conditions rather than having their weights individually determined in the normal handicap manner.

They are particularly common towards the lower end of the Flat programme.

A classified race should not be confused with race class itself.

“Class 6” describes the broad level of a race.

“Classified Stakes” describes a race type.

Selling Races

Selling races are designed around the sale of horses after the race.

The winner is normally offered for sale by auction under the relevant rules, while provisions can also apply to beaten horses.

Sellers are generally associated with the lower levels of the racing programme.

The important point for form analysis is that the conditions and intentions can differ considerably from an ordinary handicap or novice race.

A horse dropping into selling company may be facing materially weaker opposition than it met previously.

Claiming Races

Claiming races also combine racing with the potential transfer of ownership.

Horses are entered subject to claiming conditions, with the claiming price connected to the weight they carry according to the race rules.

Claimers therefore need to be analysed differently from ordinary handicaps.

The claiming conditions are part of the race structure, rather than merely something that happens after the finish.

Auction Races

Auction races restrict eligibility according to conditions connected with the price or circumstances under which horses were sold.

They are often associated with younger horses.

The exact eligibility and weight conditions vary between races.

The race title and conditions should therefore be checked rather than assuming every auction race operates identically.

Sales Races

Sales races are restricted to horses that meet conditions associated with specified bloodstock sales.

They can carry substantial prize money and attract large fields.

The conditions can take account of factors connected with the horse’s sale.

These races are particularly common within the two-year-old programme.

Apprentice Races

Apprentice races on the Flat are restricted to qualifying apprentice jockeys.

Apprentices are riders who have not yet reached full professional status under the relevant licensing structure.

Some apprentices can claim an allowance according to their experience and number of winners.

That allowance reduces the weight carried by the horse.

The value of an allowance depends on the rider and circumstances. A less experienced jockey carrying less weight is not automatically an advantage over an experienced professional rider.

Amateur Races

Amateur races restrict participation to qualifying amateur jockeys.

They form a distinct part of the racing programme.

Rider experience can vary considerably, making jockey records particularly relevant.

Some amateur riders have extensive race-riding experience despite not holding a professional licence.

National Hunt Racing

National Hunt is Britain’s principal form of jump racing.

The main divisions are hurdle racing and steeplechasing, usually called chasing.

National Hunt racing also includes bumpers, which are Flat races run under National Hunt rules.

Britain’s major jump races include the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Grand National.

Major meetings include the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National Festival.

Our National Hunt racing guide covers the code in greater detail.

Hurdle Races

Hurdle races are run over hurdles rather than the larger fences used in steeplechases.

Many National Hunt horses begin their jumping careers over hurdles before later progressing to fences.

That is not compulsory.

Some horses remain hurdlers throughout their careers.

Hurdle racing contains elite Graded races, Listed races, handicaps, novice races, juvenile races, sellers and other conditions races.

The Champion Hurdle and Stayers’ Hurdle are examples of championship hurdle races.

Chase Races

Chases, or steeplechases, are run over fences.

The obstacles are larger and provide a different jumping test from hurdles.

Chases range from minimum-distance contests requiring speed and accurate jumping to staying races in which stamina becomes central.

Major British chases include:

The Grand National is also a chase, although its specialist fences and extreme distance create a very different test from conventional steeplechasing.

Grade 1 Jump Races

Grade 1 represents the highest level of British National Hunt racing.

These races include many of the championship events at Cheltenham and Aintree.

Grade 1 races can be run over hurdles or fences.

They also include races restricted to novices.

The classification describes the status of the race, while its conditions determine which horses are eligible.

Our Grade 1 jump races page covers the top level of the British jumps programme.

Grade 2 Jump Races

Grade 2 sits immediately below Grade 1.

Britain has Grade 2 hurdles and chases for established horses as well as novices, juveniles and other defined groups.

A Grade 2 can still attract previous Grade 1 winners.

Others act as stepping stones towards championship races.

Our Grade 2 jump races guide covers the current structure and many of the principal races.

Listed Jump Races

Listed races also form part of the high-quality National Hunt programme.

They sit outside Grade 1 and Grade 2 but retain Class 1 status where specified.

The conditions vary.

Some are open races, while others are restricted according to factors such as sex or novice status.

Listed should therefore be treated as a defined race classification rather than a generic description of any good-quality race below Grade 2.

Premier Handicaps in Jump Racing

The terminology around leading jump handicaps has changed.

Older results and articles frequently describe Britain’s strongest handicap hurdles and chases as Grade 3 races.

The modern British programme uses Premier Handicap terminology for these leading handicaps.

Historic references to Grade 3 remain relevant when discussing races staged under the former classification.

This is why an old race result may legitimately say “Grade 3” while the current version of the race is described differently.

The distinction is important when comparing historical and current form.

Handicap Hurdles

A handicap hurdle uses Official Ratings to determine the weights carried.

Higher-rated horses generally carry more weight than lower-rated rivals.

This creates a very different problem from a Grade 1 conditions hurdle.

In an elite conditions race, identifying the best horse may be central to the analysis.

In a handicap hurdle, the question is whether a horse’s ability gives it an advantage after the weight allocation has been considered.

Improving horses can be particularly interesting if their ability is progressing faster than their handicap mark.

Handicap Chases

Handicap chases use the same broad handicap principle over fences.

Major examples include:

Grand National
Coral Gold Cup
Welsh Grand National
bet365 Gold Cup

Jumping ability becomes particularly important in chase handicaps.

A horse can appear attractively handicapped on ratings but still struggle if repeated jumping errors cause it to lose position and energy.

The Grand National adds another dimension because its fences and distance differ from an ordinary handicap chase.

Novice Hurdles

A novice hurdler competes under the relevant novice eligibility rules.

The old shorthand that a novice is simply a horse in its “first season over hurdles” is too crude.

Eligibility depends on the current rules and circumstances.

Novice hurdle races range from ordinary developmental contests to Grade 1 races at the major festivals.

The quality gap between them can therefore be enormous.

A horse winning an ordinary novice hurdle impressively may still need to improve substantially when moving into Graded company.

Novice Chases

Novice chases perform a similar role over fences.

They allow eligible horses relatively early in their chasing careers to compete within the novice programme.

Many novice chasers previously raced over hurdles, but hurdle ability does not guarantee chasing success.

Fences demand a different technique.

Some horses improve markedly when switched to chasing, while others struggle to reproduce their hurdle form.

Jumping should therefore be assessed alongside ratings and finishing positions.

Beginners’ Chases

A beginners’ chase is distinct from a general novice chase.

The race conditions are designed around horses that have not previously won over fences within the relevant rules.

A horse can have substantial experience without having won a chase.

That means a beginners’ chase can contain runners with very different levels of actual chasing experience.

The title tells you about eligibility, not necessarily how inexperienced the field is.

Juvenile Hurdles

Juvenile hurdles are races for younger National Hunt horses, commonly involving horses that previously raced on the Flat.

Their Flat form can provide evidence about speed and stamina.

The key unknown is often jumping.

A highly rated Flat horse still needs to adapt to hurdles, settle into a different style of racing and cope with National Hunt conditions.

Juvenile hurdle form can therefore change quickly as horses gain experience.

Hunter Chases

Hunter chases are run under specific eligibility conditions connected with hunting and point-to-point racing, and they are associated with amateur riders.

They should not simply be described as races for old horses or educational races for young horses.

Some high-quality hunter chasers are specialists in this sphere.

The Foxhunters contests staged around major festivals demonstrate the level these horses can reach.

Point-to-Point Racing

Point-to-point racing is amateur steeplechasing staged outside the standard professional racecourse programme.

It forms an important part of the British and Irish jumping landscape.

Point-to-points can provide experience for young horses before they move into professional National Hunt racing.

They also provide a competitive programme for established point-to-point horses.

Form from this sphere can be particularly relevant when a horse later appears under Rules.

National Hunt Flat Races or Bumpers

A National Hunt Flat race is commonly called a bumper.

Despite being part of National Hunt racing, there are no hurdles or fences.

Bumpers provide horses bred or prepared for jumping with racecourse experience before they begin hurdling or chasing.

They can reveal raw ability, stamina and temperament.

They do not prove that a horse will become a successful jumper.

The introduction of obstacles creates an entirely new requirement.

Race Type Versus Race Class

This distinction is one of the most useful things to understand on a British racecard.

Race class describes the broad level of competition.

Race type describes how the race operates.

Britain’s current general class structure runs from Class 1 at the top through to Class 6.

Class 7 is still visible in old race results and older racing material but is not part of the current general British structure.

Examples of race types include:

Handicap
Novice
Maiden
Conditions Race
Classified Race
Seller
Claimer

A Class 5 handicap and Class 5 novice race therefore share a class number but not the same rules.

See our horse racing classes guide for a full explanation.

Group Versus Grade in Horse Racing

Group and Grade are easy to confuse.

In British racing, Group is associated with the upper level of Flat Pattern racing.

Grade is used for high-level National Hunt races.

A Group 1 is therefore an elite Flat race.

A Grade 1 is an elite jump race.

Group 2 and Grade 2 both represent the second tier within their respective systems, but they should not be treated as the same race type.

The conditions and structure of Flat and National Hunt racing are different.

Handicap Versus Conditions Race

A handicap attempts to compensate for differences in ability by allocating different weights.

A conditions race determines weights according to its published conditions.

Those conditions can include age, sex, previous victories and other factors.

This distinction matters when analysing form.

A horse carrying more weight in a handicap may be doing so because the handicapper considers it superior.

A horse carrying more weight in a conditions race may have a penalty because of a previous win.

The reason for the weight difference is therefore important.

Maiden Versus Novice Race

Maiden and novice are not interchangeable terms.

A maiden is centred on horses that have not won under the relevant conditions.

A novice race can include eligible previous winners.

This means a novice can contain a horse with proven winning form against horses still looking for their first success.

The race conditions determine how previous wins affect eligibility and weight.

Hurdle Versus Chase

Hurdles and chases are the two principal jumping disciplines under National Hunt rules.

Hurdles use smaller obstacles.

Chases use fences.

The larger obstacles in chasing place greater emphasis on jumping technique.

Many horses progress from hurdles to fences, but some remain hurdlers.

Others develop into substantially better performers when they begin chasing.

Our Flat racing vs jump racing page covers the broader differences between Britain’s two main codes.

How Race Type Affects Form Analysis

A finishing position has little value without context.

A horse finishing fifth in a Group 1 may have produced considerably stronger form than a horse winning an ordinary handicap.

A novice winner may have substantial improvement remaining.

A handicap winner may face a higher Official Rating next time.

A horse dropping into selling company may be competing against much weaker opposition.

Start by identifying the type and class of race before comparing finishing positions.

Our horse racing form guide explains how to interpret the wider information found on a racecard.

Official Ratings and Race Types

Official Ratings are particularly important in handicaps.

The handicapper uses racecourse evidence to assign a numerical assessment of ability.

That figure influences the weight carried in future handicaps.

Ratings can also matter when races have eligibility bands or minimum rating requirements.

They should not be treated as a perfect prediction.

Young and lightly raced horses can improve faster than their rating changes, while older horses can retain a rating based partly on performances they are struggling to reproduce.

Draw and Race Type

Draw matters primarily in Flat racing.

Its importance varies according to course, distance, field size, pace and going.

A low draw can be advantageous under one set of conditions and irrelevant under another.

Our horse racing draw guide explains how stall position works.

Large-field handicaps are often particularly interesting from a draw perspective because the runners can spread across a wide section of the track.

Pace and Race Type

Pace affects almost every form of racing.

A five-furlong sprint with several front-runners creates a different tactical problem from a slowly run staying race.

Pace also matters over jumps.

Several horses competing for the lead can turn a chase into a stronger stamina test.

A lack of obvious pace can favour a horse allowed to control the race from the front.

Our pace bias and pace maps pages explain how race shape can be assessed.

Course and Distance

Race type should always be considered alongside the course and distance.

A horse may be suited to six-furlong handicaps on a straight track but struggle around a sharper bend.

A staying chaser may perform strongly on a galloping course but lack the tactical speed required elsewhere.

Course and distance indicators provide a quick reference to previous winning experience.

Our course and distance form guide explains C, D and CD racecard symbols.

How to Identify the Race Type on a Racecard

The race title and conditions provide much of the information you need.

Look for terms such as:

Handicap
Novice
Maiden
Listed
Group 1, 2 or 3
Grade 1 or 2
Conditions
Classified
Selling
Claiming
Nursery
Hunter Chase
National Hunt Flat Race

Then check the class, distance, age restrictions, weights and other conditions.

Our today’s racecards and tomorrow’s racecards provide the current racing programme.

Which Horse Race Types Are Best for Beginners to Follow?

There is no single race type a new racing fan needs to start with.

Non-handicap Group and Graded races can make the basic weight structure easier to understand, but the quality of the horses means the form can still be complex.

Handicaps require an understanding of ratings and weights.

Novice and maiden races introduce uncertainty because horses can have limited form.

A useful approach is to learn what the race conditions mean before trying to find the winner.

Once the race type is clear, form, going, distance, course, draw and pace become easier to put into context.

Betting on Different Types of Horse Races

Different race types create different betting problems.

In handicaps, ratings and weights are central.

In novice races, potential improvement can matter more.

In Group and Graded races, proven high-level ability carries greater significance.

Large-field handicaps can also produce different each-way terms from small-field conditions races.

The same betting strategy should therefore not be applied mechanically to every race.

Our horse racing bet types page explains the different bets themselves.

Readers comparing bookmakers specifically for racing can use our best horse racing betting sites comparison, while the horse racing betting apps page covers mobile-specific features.

Types of Horse Races FAQs

What are the two main types of horse racing in Britain?

The two principal codes are Flat racing and National Hunt racing.

Flat racing takes place without obstacles.

National Hunt racing includes hurdle races, chases and National Hunt Flat races.

What is the highest level of Flat racing?

Group 1 is the highest level of British Flat Pattern racing.

Group 2 and Group 3 sit below it, followed by Listed level within the wider black-type programme.

What is the highest level of jump racing?

Grade 1 is the highest level of British National Hunt racing.

Grade 2 sits below Grade 1.

The programme also includes Listed races and major Premier Handicaps.

Is Group 1 the same as Class 1?

No.

A Group 1 race is a specific elite Flat race classification.

Class 1 is the broader highest race class and includes several different high-level race types.

Is Grade 1 the same as Group 1?

No.

Group 1 is used for elite Flat Pattern races.

Grade 1 is used for elite National Hunt races.

Both represent the highest level within their respective systems.

Are Grade 3 jump races still used in Britain?

Older British results frequently describe leading jump handicaps as Grade 3 races.

Current British terminology uses Premier Handicap for the leading races in this part of the programme.

Historical Grade 3 references remain correct for races run under the previous classification.

What is a handicap horse race?

A handicap is a race in which horses carry different weights based principally on their assessed ability and the conditions of the race.

The aim is to create more competitive racing.

What is a maiden horse race?

A maiden race is for horses seeking their first win under the relevant conditions.

Many maiden runners are lightly raced and some may be making their racecourse debut.

What is a novice race?

A novice race is restricted according to the relevant novice conditions.

Unlike a maiden, a novice race can contain eligible horses that have already won.

What is a nursery?

A nursery is a Flat handicap for two-year-olds.

What is a conditions race?

A conditions race determines eligibility and weights according to specified race conditions rather than using the conventional handicap system.

What is a selling race?

A selling race includes provisions for horses to be sold after racing, including the auction of the winner under the applicable rules.

What is a claiming race?

A claiming race allows horses to be claimed under conditions connected with a specified claiming price.

What is a bumper?

A bumper is a National Hunt Flat race.

It is run without hurdles or fences but forms part of the National Hunt programme.

What is a hunter chase?

A hunter chase is a steeplechase run under specific hunter-chase eligibility conditions and associated with amateur riders and the hunting and point-to-point sphere.

What is point-to-point racing?

Point-to-point racing is amateur steeplechasing and forms an important grassroots part of British and Irish jump racing.

What are the five British Classic horse races?

The five Classics are the 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Epsom Oaks and St Leger.

Where can I see what type today’s races are?

Check the race titles and conditions on the today’s racecards page. Terms such as handicap, novice, maiden, Group, Grade and Listed identify important parts of the race structure.

Summary

British horse racing is built around two principal codes: Flat and National Hunt.

Flat racing contains Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 Pattern races, Listed races, handicaps, maidens, novices, conditions races, nurseries, sellers, claimers and other specialist races.

National Hunt racing contains hurdles, chases and bumpers. Its upper structure includes Grade 1 and Grade 2 races, Listed contests and major Premier Handicaps, alongside ordinary handicap, novice and specialist races.

Race type and race class answer different questions.

Class tells you broadly where a race sits in the quality structure.

Race type tells you how the race operates and which horses can compete.

Understanding both makes it much easier to interpret a racecard, compare previous form and judge whether a horse is moving into stronger or weaker company.

For the next step, read our horse racing classes explained, horse racing form and how to analyse a horse race guides.

Types of Horse Races: Flat, Jumps, Groups, Grades & Handicaps Explained