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Flat racing is a term commonly used in the United Kingdom to denote a form of horse racing which is run over a predetermined distance and in which the horses are not required to jump over obstacles such as hurdles or fences as in National Hunt racing. This form of racing is a test of speed and stamina, and the skill of the jockey in determining when to hold the horse back or make it work harder.
Racing takes place on a natural grass surface (turf) or on a synthetic surface (known as "all-weather").
The flat races in the United Kingdom are run over a variety of distances from five furlongs (1006 m) to over two miles (3219 m) and are generally called sprints, middle distance or stayers races.
Racing in Europe is generally on "turf" or grass, while in the US, the more important races are on "dirt" or all weather. In Europe, The two most powerful "teams" are Coolmore Stud farm, most of whose horses are trained by Aidan O'Brien in County Tipperary in Ireland and owned by John Magnier and/or Michael Tabor, and the United Arab Emirates based Godolphin stables, owned by the Sheikh Mohammed and his brothers but based during the summer in Newmarket, England.
How it works
In the United Kingdom, (and the majority of Europe) flat racing is split into two distinctive bands, conditions races and handicaps.
- Conditions races are further split into
- Pattern races
- Group 1 - (Classics and other races of major international importance)
- Group 2 - (less important international races)
- Group 3 - (primarily domestic races)
- Listed races - have less prestige than the group races but are still more important than handicaps.
- Pattern races
- Handicap races - where the Jockey Club official handicapper gives horses a different weight to carry according to their ability, are the bread and butter daily races although some of these are also quite prestigious.
- The United Kingdom has five Classic races:
See also
"Flat racing"