Types Of Horse Races

There are two main types of horse races: National Hunt Races and Flat Races.

National Hunt Races

National Hunt Races involve jumping over obstacles such as fences and water ditches and are held during the National Hunt Season of mid-October to the end of April.

National Hunt Races are broadly divided into steeplechases and hurdle races. Steeplechases are races run over 2-4½ miles with fixed fences at least 4½ ft high, and Hurdle Races are run over 2-3½ miles with smaller, less rigid jumps of at least 3½ ft high that easily collapse. National Hunt Races include the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Flat Races

Flat Races involve no jumping over obstacles and tend to be shorter in distance than National Hunt Races. Flat Races are held during the Flat Season of March to November. Flat Races include the "five classics" of the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, the Derby, the St Leger and the Epsom Oaks.

Handicap and Non-Handicap Races

Races can be handicap or non-handicap races. In a handicap race the better horses are required to carry extra weight so that all horses have, in theory, an equal chance of winning. In a non-handicap race the better horses are not required to carry additional weight.