Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in the UK and steeplechasing in the US. Jump racing can be further divided into hurdling and steeplechasing.
In horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Republic of Ireland, National Hunt racing requires horses to jump fences and ditches. National Hunt racing in the UK is informally known as "jumps" and is divided into two major distinct branches: hurdles and steeplechases. Alongside these there are "bumpers", which are National Hunt flat races. In a hurdles race, the horses jump over obstacles called hurdles; in a steeplechase the horses jump over a variety of obstacles that can include plain fences, water jump or an open ditch. In the UK, the biggest National Hunt events of the year are generally considered to be the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Irish 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.
The Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Leopardstown in May.
The Ridgewood Pearl Stakes, also known as the Lanwades Stud Stakes, is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.
The Curragh Racecourse is a flat racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland. The racecourse is home to Ireland’s five most important flat races, known as the Classics. Racing takes place 23 days each year from the end of March until late October. Guided tours of the venue are available outside of race days.
The Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Leopardstown in April.
The Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Leopardstown in May.
The Flying Five Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds, aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 5 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in September during Irish Champions Weekend.
The Mooresbridge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in early May.
The Vintage Crop Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Navan over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.
The Patton Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years old. It is run at Dundalk over a distance of 1 mile, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late February or early March.
The Cork Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Cork over a distance of 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late March or early April.
The Salsabil Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Navan over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.
The Alleged Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in April.
The Martin Molony Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred horses aged four years or older. It is run at Limerick over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 110 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.
The Marble Hill Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged two years only. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.
The Orby Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in June.
The Belgrave Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
The Trigo Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.
