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.
Conditions races are horse races in which the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving weight from older runners to allow for relative maturity, referred to as weight for age; and the quality of the runners, with horses that have won certain values of races giving weight to less successful entrants.
Group One, Group 1, Grade I or G1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. In Europe, the level of races for Thoroughbred racing is determined using the Pattern race system introduced in 1971 and monitored by the European Pattern Committee. To attain or maintain a Group One status, the average rating for the first four finishers in the race must be 115 or higher over a three-year period. The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities works to ensure consistent international standards. Group One races may only be restricted to age groups or a stipulated sex: they should not be restricted to horses bred in a certain country. Group One (G1) races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia, but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply.
Group races, also known as Pattern races, or Graded races in some jurisdictions, are the highest level of races in Thoroughbred horse racing. They include most of the world's iconic races, such as, in Europe, the Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, in Australia, the Melbourne Cup and in the United States, the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup races. Victory in these races marks a horse as being particularly talented, if not exceptional, and they are extremely important in determining stud values. They are also sometimes referred to as Black type races, since any horse that has won one of these races is printed in bold type in sales catalogues.
National Hunt flat races, informally known as bumper races, are a type of flat racing but run under National Hunt racing rules in Britain and Ireland.
The Albany Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
A novice in horse racing is an inexperienced racehorse which has not run in a certain number of races of a particular type, or not won in such races. The definition of a novice is determined by the horse racing authority in a particular country or area.
The King George V Stakes is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in June on the third day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
The Cammidge Trophy is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster Racecourse over a distance of 6 furlongs and 2 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late March or early April. It is currently held on the opening day of the British flat racing turf season, at the same race meeting as the Lincoln Handicap.
The Doncaster Mile Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Doncaster Racecourse over a distance of 1 mile, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late March or early April. It is currently held on the opening day of the British flat racing turf season, at the same race meeting as the Lincoln Handicap.
The Sandy Lane Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years only. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June.
The Nottinghamshire Oaks is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to mares and fillies aged four years or older. It is run at Nottingham over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 50 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April.
The Dragon Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged two years only. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 5 furlongs and 10 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.
The Gala Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years and over. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlongs and 209 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in July. The race was first run in 2002.
The Noel Murless Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three year old horses. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs and 34 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.
The Montrose Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies aged two years only. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.
The Floodlit Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 219 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
The Wentworth Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 6 furlongs and 2 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
The Hyde Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
The Karndean Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race is a Listed National Hunt flat race in Great Britain which is open to fillies and mares aged four to six years. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November. The race has been run under various names since its inception.
