Horse Racing event types

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Flat racing

Flat racing is the main feature of the horse racing summer and hence the name involves no obstacles but just a simple flat course run over a turf course or a synthetic all-weather track. Races can be as short as five furlongs (just over half a mile) and as long as two and a half miles. The season takes place between March and November and is littered with top class races.

Flat racing’s big races are the Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The former is for three year-old colts and is run at Epsom in early-June. Winners of this race tend to be named the horse of the year in flat racing and enjoy a wealthy career at stud. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is quite simply the best flat race in Europe where the finest middle-distance horses in Britain, Ireland, Continental Europe and beyond lock horns at Longchamp in early-October. Previous winners include Dancing Brave and Sakhee.

Flat racing provides the backdrop to the summer months in horse racing and can provide the sport with real superstars. The shorter distances of the races provides the opportunity for some close fought absorbing contests.

National Hunt

National Hunt racing takes place all year round but the top class races are run between October and April. The main difference between Flat and National Hunt racing is that in the latter, horses have to jump over obstacles like fences and hurdles. Races are run between the distances of two miles and four and half miles.

The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the National Hunt season. The Festival takes place over four days in March and features top class races like the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup. The Grand National takes place the month after Cheltenham and is horse racing’s biggest export to the general public. This marathon race takes place at Aintree and is run over four and a half miles. The ultimate stamina test!

Horse racing fans tend to favour jump racing more and this code provides us with regular old friends who return to the sport year after year. While the superstars of flat racing are sent to stud the heroes of National Hunt come back year after year in their quest to pick up more Grade 1 prizes.

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Horse racing betting terminology, horse racing tracks in the UK, Horse racing event types.