In the world of flat horse racing, a few races stand above the rest in tradition, prestige, and entertainment. These are known as the Classic races and are often hailed as the crown jewels of the sport. In British horse racing, these races are among the biggest events in the calendar. If you're unsure which ones we're talking about, we are here to help. Throughout this piece, we will go through what the classic horse races are, why they matter, and how you can enjoy them, whether you are a casual viewer or looking for
horse racing tips to place bets with.
What Races Are The Five Classic Horse Races?
There are 5 ‘classic’ races in British flat racing, which are open only to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. These races are the most historic and prestigious events in the UK racing calendar and are often used to judge a horse's potential. Despite the Cheltenham Festival and the Royal Ascot being two of the biggest events, these do not feature any ‘classic’ races.
Here is a list of the five British classics:
If you
watch horse racing often, you might be familiar with these horse races as they are landmarks in the horse racing calendar. However, if you are unsure, we will go through the key details here.
1. The 2,000 Guineas
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Who: Open to colts and fillies
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The 2,000 Guineas is the first Classic of the season and a key test of speed and stamina. It’s also the first leg of the Triple Crown.
2. The 1,000 Guineas
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When: Early May (usually the day after the 2,000 Guineas)
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This is the female equivalent of the 2,000 Guineas and often features the most promising young fillies.
3. The Epsom Derby
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Distance: 1 mile 4 furlongs
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Arguably the most prestigious of the five, the Derby is the second leg of the Triple Crown for colts.
4.The Epsom Oaks
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When: Late May or early June
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Distance: 1 mile 4 furlongs
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Held at the same venue as the Derby, the Oaks is its female counterpart and the second leg of the fillies’ Triple Crown.
5. The St Leger
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Distance: 1 mile 6½ furlongs
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The oldest Classic (first run in 1776) and the final leg of the Triple Crown, the St Leger tests both stamina and class.
The British Triple Crown
Winning all three Classics open to colts, the 2,000 Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger, is known as completing the British Triple Crown. It’s an extremely rare feat, achieved by legends like Nijinsky in 1970, and in 2012, Camelot came agonizingly close.
For fillies, the equivalent is winning the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks, and St. Leger, often called the Fillies’ Triple Crown, though it’s even less commonly completed.
Classic Races Around The World
These classic races are not just limited to British Racing, as other countries have their own iterations. Here are a few notable examples:
United States Triple Crown:
France’s Classic Races:
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Poule d'Essai des Poulains (2,000 Guineas equivalent)
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Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (1,000 Guineas equivalent)
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Prix du Jockey Club (Derby equivalent)
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Prix de Diane (Oaks equivalent)
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Grand Prix de Paris / Prix Royal-Oak (St. Leger equivalents)
Japan’s Triple Crown:
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Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)
Why Do Classic Races Matter?
When looking through
horse racing results, you might wonder why classic races are more important compared to traditional races. This is because the classics are used as an indicator of a racehorse’s future success. With the best horses being pitted against each other, it is a great opportunity to see how these horses handle the pressure and how they compete against the best.
Classic Races at Racing TV
As Racing TV offers extensive coverage of the horse racing season, you can watch the British classic races right here. Racing TV also offers detailed information on horse races, which comes in the form of
racecards and race results.