The English Horse Racing Classics – A Quick Guide

There is often much confusion as to what exactly are English Classic races and what are simply Group One races. The first aspect to remember is that there are five English Classic races and they are all carry Group One status, but due to the history of these races they carry a much higher prestige and status in the Racing world. The second point is that they are only open to three year old thoroughbred horses. The Five Classics are:

2000 Guineas

This is the opening Classic of the season and it is open to three year old colts and fillies. It is raced over the famous Rowley Mile at Newmarket and is a big test of speed, stamina and courage over an undulating straight course. Although it is open to fillies they very rarely run, they are normally entered for the 1000 Guineas (See below). For the colts it is also the first leg of the triple-crown; which is made up from the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger. This year the race will be run on 2nd May, which is the opening day of the Guineas Festival.

1000 Guineas

The second Classic of the season, which is open to 3 year old thoroughbred fillies only and is also raced over Newmarket’s Rowley Mile. The race also forms the first leg of the Fillies triple-crown, which can be completed by winning this race, the Epsom Oaks and the St Leger. It is raced on the second day of the Guineas Festival, which this year will be 3rd May.

The Epsom Oaks

The third Classic is the Epsom Oaks, which like the 1000 Guineas is only open to 3 year old fillies. However this is raced on the Epsom Downs race course over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs in length. The Oaks forms the second leg of the Fillies Triple Crown and is one of the most valuable fillies only races in the world. This year it will be run on June 4th.

The Epsom Derby

The Derby is probably the most famous and prestigious race of the five English Classics and is renowned the World over. Although it is open to fillies as well as colts, it is rare for them to be entered, with the Fillies usually opting for the Epsom Oaks. Like the Oaks, it is run at Epsom Downs race course over a 1 mile 4 furlongs and forms the second leg of the colts triple crown. The race will take place this year on June 5th.

St Leger

The fifth and final Classic race of the season is the St Leger which is open to three year old colts and fillies and is raced at Doncaster race course over the longer distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs. It is a big test of stamina and often its winners stay in training for the following year. In some respects the St Leger has lost some of its importance, due mainly to its distance. The last colt to have won the Triple Crown was the great Nijinsky in 1970 and the last filly to have won the fillies version was Oh So Sharp in 1985. The St Leger takes place on 12th September.

The importance and prestige of the five classic races is underpinned by not only the prize money available to the winner of each races, all of which are well in to six figures (the prize money available for the Epsom Derby is £1.25 million) but also by the potential breeding values of the winning horses. Any horse that wins any of the classics will automatically increase in value at stud in the hope that they pass their winning genes on to future progeny.

Related posts:

1. A Brief History of Horse Racing
2. A National Hunt Racing Guide
3. Get To Know Horse Racing By The Different Type Of Races
4. Thoroughbred Horse Racing
5. Horse Race