Group 1 Horse Races

James Dooley avatar

Written By:

Updated:

Group 1 races are a chance for the best flat racehorses to compete against each other at the top level. They are the highest level of race that a racehorse can run in.

Group 1 horse racing events are a test of class, with all racehorses running off level weights unless receiving a weight allowance for a 3yo racing against older horses or if the horse is a filly or mare.

The top-rated trainers and jockeys compete in these races on the biggest stages throughout the year in the United Kingdom and across the world.

But what are the most famous Group 1 races in the UK?

In our Group One horse racing guide we will list everything you need to know about the biggest and best Group 1 races around.

Find out more about Group One horse races:

Group 1 Horse Races

What Does Group 1 Mean in Horse Racing?

The term “Group 1” in horse racing means that the race is of the highest level possible.

In some of these races, the horse needs to achieve an official rating of 115 to compete.

As the G1 is the highest grade of thoroughbred racing it attracts the most prize money and therefore the best horses in the world.

Horses will travel globally to compete in these competitive events. Many Group 1 races are held at festivals such as Royal Ascot, The Breeders Cup and the Dubai World Cup night.

List of Group One Horse Races in the United Kingdom

Here is a list of all the Group 1 races in the UK:

Race Name Racecourse Distance Age/Sex Month
2000 Guineas Stakes Newmarket 1m 3yo c&f April
1000 Guineas Stakes Newmarket 1m 3yo f April
Lockinge Stakes Newbury 1m 4yo+ May
Coronation Cup Epsom 1m 4f 6y 4yo+ May
Oaks Stakes Epsom 1m 4f 6y 3yo f May
Derby Stakes Epsom 1m 4f 6y 3yo c&f June
Queen Anne Stakes Ascot 1m 4yo+ June
King’s Stand Stakes Ascot 5f 3yo+ June
St. James’s Palace Stakes Ascot 7f 213y 3yo c June
Prince of Wales’s Stakes Ascot 1m 1f 212y 4yo+ June
Ascot Gold Cup Ascot 2m 3f 210yd 4yo+ June
Commonwealth Cup Ascot 6f 3yo c&f June
Coronation Stakes Ascot 7f 213y 3yo f June
Diamond Jubilee Stakes Ascot 6f 4yo+ June
Eclipse Stakes Sandown 1m 1f 209y 3yo+ July
Falmouth Stakes Newmarket 1m 3yo+ f July
July Cup Newmarket 6f 3yo+ July
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Ascot 1m 3f 211y 3yo+ July
Goodwood Cup Goodwood 2m 3yo+ July
Sussex Stakes Goodwood 1m 3yo+ July
Nassau Stakes Goodwood 1m 1f 197y 3yo+ f July
International Stakes York 1m 2f 56y 3yo+ August
Yorkshire Oaks York 1m 3f 188y 3yo+ f August
Nunthorpe Stakes York 5f 2yo+ August
Sprint Cup Haydock 6f 3yo+ September
St Leger Stakes Doncaster 1m 6f 115y 3yo c&f September
Cheveley Park Stakes Newmarket 6f 2yo f September
Middle Park Stakes Newmarket 6f 2yo c September
Sun Chariot Stakes Newmarket 1m 3yo+ f October
Fillies’ Mile Newmarket 1m 2yo f October
Dewhurst Stakes Newmarket 7f 2yo c&f October
British Champions Sprint Stakes Ascot 6f 3yo+ October
British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes Ascot 1m 3f 211y 3yo+ f October
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Ascot 1m 3yo+ October
Champion Stakes Ascot 1m 1f 212y 3yo+ October
Vertem Futurity Trophy Doncaster 1m 2yo c&f October

Overview of All UK Group One Horse Races

Here is a mini-guide to all the Group One Races in the UK:

2000 Guineas Stakes

The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group One horse race run at Newmarket Racecourse over a 1-mile distance taking place at the start of the flat season in April.

The race is open to horses aged three years old only and attracts a competitive field of milers looking to win the first major Group One prize of the year.

For more information, check out our full guide to the 2000 Guineas Stakes.

1000 Guineas Stakes

The 1000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse contest for three-year-old fillies held in Great Britain. It is held on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of one mile and is held each year on the Sunday following the 2000 Guineas Stakes in late April or early May.

For more information, check out our full guide to the 1000 Guineas Stakes.

Lockinge Stakes

The Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse contest held in the United Kingdom for horses aged four and higher in May.

It is held on a one-mile straight course in Newbury.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Lockinge Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Coronation Cup

The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse event taking place in England for horses aged four and higher.

It is held annually at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards (2,420 metres) and takes place in June.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Coronation Cup.

The Oaks Stakes

The Oaks Stakes is a British Group 1 flat race for three-year-old fillies.

It is staged at Epsom Downs and is run over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards each year in June.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Oaks.

Derby Stakes

The Derby Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in England open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It is often referred to as the Epsom Derby or the Derby.

The race has a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Derby.

Queen Anne Stakes

The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse tournament held in the United Kingdom for horses aged four and over. It is held every year in June at Royal Ascot over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Queen Anne Stakes Group 1 racing event.

King’s Stand Stakes

The King’s Stand Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse fixture which takes place in the United Kingdom for horses aged three and over.

It takes place every year in June at Ascot over a distance of 5 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the King’s Stand Stakes.

St. James’s Palace Stakes

The St. James’s Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse competition for three-year-old colts held in Great Britain. It is a 7-furlong, 213-yard race that takes place at Royal Ascot in June.

For more information, check out our full guide to the St. James’s Palace Stakes race.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes

The Prince of Wales’ Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse fixture taking place in the United Kingdom for horses aged four and above.

It is raced every year in June at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 212 yards.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Prince of Wales’ Stakes.

Ascot Gold Cup

The Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat race  for horses aged four and above. It is held every year in June at Royal Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Gold Cup.

Commonwealth Cup

The Commonwealth Cup is a Group 1 flat horse competition held in the United Kingdom for three-year-old colts and fillies. It takes place every year in June at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Commonwealth Cup.

Coronation Stakes

The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlong and 213 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Coronation Stakes.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes

The Diamond Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse contest raced in the United Kingdom for horses aged four and over. In addition, three-year-olds born in the Southern Hemisphere are eligible. It takes place every year in June at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Diamond Jubilee Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Eclipse Stakes

The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse contest ran in the United Kingdom for horses aged three or above. It is staged at Sandown Park and is run over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong, and 209 yards. It is held every year in early July.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Eclipse Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Falmouth Stakes

The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse racing fixture in Great Britain for three-year-old fillies and mares. It is held each year in July on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Falmouth Stakes.

July Cup

The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse competition featuring in the United Kingdom for horses aged three and higher. It takes place on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs and is held every year in July as part of the July Festival.

For more information, check out our full guide to the July Cup Group 1 racing event.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event taking place in the UK for horses aged three and higher. It is held every year in July at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards.

For more information, check out our full guide to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Goodwood Cup

The Goodwood Cup is a Group 1 flat horse contest held in the United Kingdom for horses aged three and higher. It is held every year in late July or early August at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles. It is ran as part of the Glorious Goodwood Festival.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Goodwood Cup.

Sussex Stakes

The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse competition ran in the United Kingdom for horses aged three and higher. It is held every year in late July or early August at Goodwood over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Sussex Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Nassau Stakes

The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race for fillies and mares aged three and up. It is contested each year in late July or early August and is run over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong, and 197 yards at Goodwood.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Nassau Stakes Group 1 racing event.

International Stakes

The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event held in the United Kingdom for horses aged three and over. It takes place every year in August and is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 56 yards at York.

For more information, check out our full guide to the International Stakes.

Yorkshire Oaks

The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race for fillies and mares aged three and up. It occurs every year in August and is run over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 188 yards at York.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Yorkshire Oaks.

Nunthorpe Stakes

The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat race for horses aged two and above. It takes place every year in August at York over a distance of 5 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Nunthorpe Stakes.

Sprint Cup

The Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse official event in the United Kingdom for thoroughbreds aged three and higher. It is held at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs and takes place every year in early September.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Sprint Cup Group 1 racing event.

St Leger Stakes

The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run each year in September at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards.

For more information, check out our full guide to the St Leger Stakes.

Cheveley Park Stakes

The Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat competition in Great Britain open to only aged two fillies. It is taken place on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket with a distance of six furlongs, and it is predicted to take place each year in late September

For more information, check out our full guide to the Cheveley Park Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Middle Park Stakes

The Middle Park Stakes is a British Group 1 flat horse competition for two-year-old colts. It is competed every year in September on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Middle Park Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Sun Chariot Stakes

The Sun Chariot Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for fillies and mares aged three and up. It is raced annually early October on the Rowley Mile in Newmarket over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Sun Chariot Stakes Group 1 racing event.

Fillies’ Mile

The Fillies’ Mile is a Group 1 flat horse contest for two-year-old fillies staged in Great Britain. It takes held every year in October on the Rowley Mile in Newmarket over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Fillies’ Mile.

Dewhurst Stakes

The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race open to two-year-old colts and fillies. It is competed every year in October on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs. It is the most prestigious race for young horses in the UK.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Dewhurst Stakes.

British Champions Sprint Stakes

The British Champions Sprint Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse for horses aged three and over. It happens every year in October at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the British Champions Sprint Stakes Group 1 racing event.

British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes

The British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes is a Group 1 race open to fillies and mares aged three and up. It is raced on British Champions Day at Ascot in October and is run over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards.

For more information, check out our full guide to the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race. Horses must be three years old or older to compete. It is performed at Ascot over a one-mile course every year in October as part of British Champions Day.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Champion Stakes

The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event taking place in the United Kingdom for thoroughbred horses aged three and over. It is run each year in October at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs as part of British Champions Day.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Champion Stakes.

Vertem Futurity Trophy

The Vertem Futurity Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race run in the United Kingdom that is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It takes place each year in late October at Doncaster over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Vertem Futurity Trophy Group 1 racing event.

Popular Questions

What is a Group One race?

Group 1 races are a chance for the best flat racehorses to compete against each other at the top level. They are the highest level of race that a racehorse can run in.

Who has won the most Group One races?

The below horses have won the most Group One races:

  • Winx – 25
  • John Henry – 16
  • Black Caviar – 15
  • Affirmed, Forego, Goldikova & Kingston Town  – 14

Summary of UK Group One Races

We hope you have enjoyed betting our guide to UK Group 1 races.

Punters enjoy placing bets on the Group One events because they get to see the best racehorses in the world battling it out for prize money and prestige.

Other competitive horse racing betting events you might be interested in are:

Check out our guide for the full list of horse racing fixtures 2024 in the United Kingdom.

Betting on Group One Races

If you are looking to place a bet on a Group One race, check out the below brilliant betting sites:

Many of the above made our list of the best betting sites in the UK.

Here are all the related articles to the Types of Horse Races 2024:

If you do choose to bet, please bet responsibly.