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.
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic premise – to identify which of two or more horses is the fastest over a set course or distance – has been mostly unchanged since at least classical antiquity.
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.
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 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 Tyros Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 7 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.
The Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Leopardstown in March or April.
The Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Leopardstown in March or 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 Ballyogan Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares 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 Irish St Leger Trial Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.
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 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 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 Rochestown Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged two years only. It is run at Naas over a distance of 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June.
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.
