Welcome to the bare basics in horse racing – a series of posts targeted at those about to attend their first event or the new racing enthusiast…
First up, there a two primary types of races, Flat (think the Cheltenham Gold Cup or Derby) and Jump (Grand National)
Flat racing
Flat races range from five furlongs to 21 furlongs — or approximately ⅔ – 2⅔ miles (there are 8 furlongs in a mile).
Skill sets required for the horse are speed and stamina with the Jockey requiring good pacing and positioning.
A flat race gets off to a flying start with the horses lined up in stalls (traps).
A majority of lat races are run on grass with a few on an all-weather, synthetic surface which typically appear during the winter on our racing calendar. Peak season for flat racing is between the Spring and Autumn when the marquee events such as the Chelenham Gold Cup, the Derby and Royal Ascot are held.
Jump Racing
Also known as ‘National Hunt Racing’ – and as the name suggests – this type of race involves horse and jockey (ideally together!) jumping over obstacles – hurdles and fences (fences being the taller)
There are two types of jump race – hurdle and chase (or steeplechase).
Hurdles as the names suggests is over the smaller hurdles with chase racing being over the taller fences (at least 4’6″ high)
Jump races vary in distance from 16 furlongs (8 miles) to, the longest, being the Grand National, at 34 furlongs (4½ miles)
Unlike flat racing, a jump race starts off with the horses gathered (sometimes seemingly informally) behind a tape stretched across the track. When the starter drops the tap
– they’re off!
Jump racing occurs year-round with the highlight events such as the King George VI Steeple Chase
and the Grand National between the Autumn and Spring.
Jump racing horses are big, bold bruisers compared to their speedier flat-racing cousins since stamina and jumping ability rule over speed when going over the hurdles