This list has no precise inclusion criteria as described in the Manual of Style for standalone lists.(April 2024) |
A list of notable flat horse races which take place annually in Great Britain, under the authority of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), including all conditions races which currently hold Group 1, 2 or 3 status in the European Pattern.
The distances of the races are expressed in miles, furlongs and yards. In 2017 the BHA concluded a racecourse survey and remeasurement which led to some racecourses changing the exact distance of some races, or moving race start points to fit with advertised race distances. [1] The distances in the table below are exact distances. Race distances are often given to the nearest furlong: e.g. The Derby's exact distance is 1 mile 4 furlongs and 6 yards, but it is called a 1 mile 4 furlong race.
The races in bold feature in the British Champions Series.
Criteria for inclusion;
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Distance | Class | Value £K † | Age/Sex | 2024 winner |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | Winter Oaks | Lingfield | 1m 2f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ f | Oh So Grand |
March | Lincoln Trial | Wolverhampton | 1m 143y | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | Kingdom Come |
Mar / Apr | Lincoln Handicap | Doncaster | 1m | H | 150 | 4yo+ | Mr Professor |
Mar / Apr | All-Weather Championships Marathon | Newcastle | 2m 56y | 2 | 150 | 4yo+ | Prydwen |
Mar / Apr | All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships | Newcastle | 6f | 2 | 150 | 3yo | Fire Demon |
Mar / Apr | Fillies' And Mares' Championships | Newcastle | 7f 14y | 2 | 150 | 4yo+ | Cloud Cover |
Mar / Apr | All-Weather Sprint | Newcastle | 6f | 2 | 150 | 4yo+ | Fivethousandtoone |
Mar / Apr | All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap | Newcastle | 1m 2f 42y | 2 | 200 | 4yo+ | Elegant Man |
Mar / Apr | All-Weather Championships Mile | Newcastle | 1m 5y | 2 | 150 | 4yo+ | Talis Evolvere |
Mar / Apr | Queen's Cup | Musselburgh | 1m 5f 216y | H | 100 | 4yo+ | abandoned |
Mar / Apr | Rosebery Stakes | Kempton | 1m 2f 219y | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | Cemhaan |
April | Try The Racing App This Afternoon Handicap | Bath | 5f | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | Blind Beggar |
April | Newbury Spring Cup | Newbury | 1m | 2 | 70 | 4yo+ | Metal Merchant |
April | Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap | Musselburgh | 5f 1y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | Equality |
April | City and Suburban Handicap | Epsom | 1m 2f 17y | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | Crystal Delight |
April | Great Metropolitan Handicap | Epsom | 1m 4f 6y | 3 | 30 | 4yo+ | Champagne Piaff |
April | Esher Cup | Sandown | 1m | 2 | 45 | 4yo+ | Hand Of God |
April | King Richard III Cup | Leicester | 1m 53y | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | Miss Kantik |
April | Liz And Izzy's Hoap Podcast Handicap | Southwell | 2m 102y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | Prydwen |
Apr / May | William Hill Extra Place Races Handicap | Newmarket | 6f | H | 100 | 4yo+ | Desert Cop |
Apr / May | Suffolk Stakes | Newmarket | 1m 1f | H | 100 | 3yo+ | Liberty Lane |
Apr / May | Thirsk Hunt Cup | Thirsk | 7f 218y | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | Titan Rock |
Apr / May | William Hill Handicap | Newmarket | 1m 6f | H | 100 | 4yo+ | Bague d'Or |
May | Chester Cup | Chester | 2m 2f 140y | H | 170 | 4yo+ | Zoffee |
May | Victoria Cup | Ascot | 7f | H | 100 | 4yo+ | The Wizard Of Eye |
May | Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Hcap | Newcastle | 6f | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | Misty Grey |
May | Hambleton Handicap | York | 7f 192y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | Point Lynas |
May | London Gold Cup | Newbury | 1m 2f | H | 100 | 3yo | |
May | HKJC World Pool Handicap | Newbury | 6f | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
May | OCS Handicap | Newbury | 1m | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
May | trustatrader.com Handicap | Newmarket | 7f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
May | Sky Bet Extra Place Races Every Day Handicap | Newmarket | 6f | 2 | 75 | 3yo | |
May | Silver Bowl | Haydock | 1m 37y | H | 100 | 3yo | |
May | Zetland Gold Cup | Redcar | 1m 2f 1y | 2 | 40 | 3yo+ | |
May | Whitsun Cup | Sandown | 1m | 3 | 17.5 | 4yo+ | |
June | Trustatrader Handicap | Epsom | 1m 113y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
June | Betfred Handicap | Epsom | 1m 2f 17y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
June | Tattenham Handicap | Epsom | 7f 3y | 2 | 75 | 3yo+ | |
June | Lester Piggott Handicap | Epsom | 1m 2f 17y | 2 | 75 | 3yo | |
June | 3YO Dash | Epsom | 5f | 3 | 75 | 3yo | |
June | Epsom Dash | Epsom | 5f | H | 100 | 3yo+ | |
June | Northern Dancer Handicap | Epsom | 1m 4f 6y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
June | JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap | Epsom | 6f 3y | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
June | Macmillan Sprint | York | 6f | 2 | 100 | 3yo | |
June | Ascot Stakes | Ascot | 2m 3f 210y | H | 110 | 4yo+ | |
June | Copper Horse Stakes | Ascot | 1m 6f 34y | 2 | 110 | 4yo+ | |
June | Royal Hunt Cup | Ascot | 1m | H | 175 | 3yo+ | |
June | Kensington Palace Stakes | Ascot | 7f 213y | 2 | 110 | 4yo+ f | |
June | King George V Stakes | Ascot | 1m 3f 211y | H | 110 | 3yo | |
June | Britannia Stakes | Ascot | 1m | H | 120 | 3yo | |
June | Buckingham Palace Stakes | Ascot | 7f | 2 | 110 | 3yo+ | |
June | Duke of Edinburgh Stakes | Ascot | 1m 3f 211y | 2 | 110 | 3yo+ | |
June | Sandringham Handicap | Ascot | 1m | 2 | 110 | 3yo f | |
June | Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes | Ascot | 5f | 2 | 110 | 3yo | |
June | Wokingham Stakes | Ascot | 6f | H | 175 | 3yo+ | |
June | Golden Gates Stakes | Ascot | 1m 1f 212y | 2 | 110 | 3yo | |
June | Carlisle Bell | Carlisle | 7f 173y | 4 | 30 | 3yo+ | |
June / July | Gosforth Park Cup | Newcastle | 5f | 2 | 50 | 3yo+ | |
June / July | Northumberland Plate | Newcastle | 2m 56y | H | 150 | 3yo+ | |
July | Coral Challenge | Sandown | 1m | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
July | Old Newton Cup | Haydock | 1m 3f 175y | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
July | bet365 Handicap | Newmarket | 6f | H | 3yo | ||
July | 6 Horse Challenge at bet365 Handicap | Newmarket | 1m 2f | H | 3yo | ||
July | bet365 Trophy | Newmarket | 1m 6f | H | 4yo+ | ||
July | Bunbury Cup | Newmarket | 7f | H | 3yo+ | ||
July | John Smith's Cup | York | 1m 2f 56y | H | 3yo+ | ||
July | 1711 Learning To Work Bake-Off Competition Hcap | Ascot | 5f | H | 3yo+ | ||
July | International Stakes | Ascot | 7f | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Chesterfield Cup | Goodwood | 1m 1f 197y | 2 | 4yo+ | ||
August | Kincsem Handicap | Goodwood | 1m 1f 197y | 2 | 3yo | ||
August | Golden Mile | Goodwood | 1m | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Summer Handicap | Goodwood | 1m 6f | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
August | Stewards' Cup | Goodwood | 6f | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Great St. Wilfrid Stakes | Ripon | 6f | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
August | Grey Horse Handicap | Newmarket | 6f | 4 | 3yo+ | ||
August | Sky Bet & Symphony Group Handicap | York | 5f 89y | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Sky Bet Stayers Handicap | York | 2m 56y | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | IRE Incentive Fillies' Handicap | York | 5f | H | 3yo+ f | ||
August | Sky Bet Nursery Handicap | York | 6f | 2 | 2yo | ||
August | Clipper Handicap | York | 7f 192y | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Or8Wellness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap | York | 7f | 2 | 2yo | ||
August | British EBF 40th Anniversary Fillies' Handicap | York | 7f | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Sky Bet Handicap | York | 1m 3f 188y | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap | York | 1m 2f 56y | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Sky Bet Mile | York | 7f 192y | H | 3yo | ||
August | Lanark Silver Bell | Hamilton | 1m 4f 15y | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Melrose Handicap | York | 1m 5f 188y | H | 3yo | ||
August | Ebor Handicap | York | 1m 5f 188y | H | 4yo+ | ||
August | Constantine Handicap | York | 6f | H | 3yo+ | ||
August | Sky Bet Finale Handicap | York | 1m 2f 56y | H | 3yo+ | ||
September | Old Borough Cup | Haydock | 1m 6f 1y | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
September | Lavazza Stakes | Ascot | 1m 3f 211y | H | 3yo | ||
September | Mallard Handicap | Doncaster | 1m 6f 115y | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
September | Portland Handicap | Doncaster | 5f 143y | H | 3yo+ | ||
September | Ayr Gold Cup | Ayr | 6f | H | 3yo+ | ||
September | Cambridgeshire Handicap | Newmarket | 1m 1f | H | 3yo+ | ||
September | Watergate Cup | Chester | 2m 2f 140y | 2 | 4yo+ | ||
October | Howden Challenge Cup | Ascot | 7f | H | 3yo+ | ||
October | Old Rowley Cup | Newmarket | 1m 4f | H | 3yo | ||
October | William Hill Finale Handicap | York | 1m 5f 188y | H | 3yo | ||
October | Cesarewitch Handicap | Newmarket | 2m 2f | H | 3yo+ | ||
October | Coral Sprint Trophy | York | 6f | H | 3yo+ | ||
October | Balmoral Handicap | Ascot | 1m | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
October | Catterick Dash | Catterick | 5f | 2 | 3yo+ | ||
November | November Handicap | Doncaster | 1m 3f 197y | 2 | 3yo+ |
† Prize money of the 2024 running shown, updated when prize money figures become available.
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Status | Distance | Class | Value £K | Age/Sex | 2024 winner |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February | European Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes | Kempton | Conditions | 1m | 3 | 60 | 3yo | Notable Speech |
Mar / Apr | Brocklesby Stakes | Doncaster | Novice | 5f 3y | 2 | 40 | 2yo | Zminiature |
April | British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes | Kempton | Conditions | 1m | 2 | 30 | 3yo f | Devoted Queen |
April | British EBF Conditions Stakes | Kempton | Conditions | 1m | 2 | 30 | 3yo c&g | Notable Speech |
April | Cardinal Stakes | Chelmsford City | Conditions | 1m | 2 | 100 | 3yo | Bracken's Laugh |
April | Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes | Newmarket | Maiden | 1m | 2 | 20 | 3yo | First Conquest |
May | John Dunlop EBF Conditions Stakes | Goodwood | Conditions | 1m | 2 | 30 | 3yo f | Devil's Point |
May | Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes | Chester | Conditions | 5f 15y | 2 | 50 | 2yo | Seraphim Angel |
June | Woodcote Stakes | Epsom | Conditions | 6f 3y | 2 | 75 | 2yo | |
June | Hilary Needler Trophy | Beverley | Conditions | 5f | 2 | 40 | 2yo f | |
June | Two Year Old Trophy | Beverley | Conditions | 5f | 2 | 40 | 2yo | |
June | Queen Alexandra Stakes | Ascot | Conditions | 2m 5f 143y | 2 | 110 | 4yo+ | |
August | Alice Keppel Fillies' Stakes | Goodwood | Conditions | 5f | 2 | 2yo f | ||
August | Convivial Maiden Stakes | York | Maiden | 7f | 2 | 2yo | ||
September | Haynes, Hanson and Clark Novice Stakes | Newbury | Novice | 1m | 2 | 2yo c&g |
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Distance | Age/Sex | 2023 winner |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
July | Weatherbys Super Sprint | Newbury | 5f 34y | 2yo | Relief Rally |
August | Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes | York | 6f | 2yo | Dragon Leader |
August | Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes | Newmarket | 6f | 2yo | Woodhay Wonder |
September | Weatherbys Scientific 2yo Stakes | Doncaster | 6f 111y | 2yo | Room Service |
October | Tattersalls October Auction Stakes | Newmarket | 6f | 2yo | Woodhay Wonder |
First Run | Race Name | Racecourse | Distance | Age/Sex |
---|---|---|---|---|
1751 | Great Subscription Purse | York | 4m | 4yo+ |
1757 | 1200 Guineas Stakes | Newmarket | 3m 6½f | 5yo |
1758 | 1400 Guineas Stakes | Newmarket | 4m 1½f | 4yo |
1808 | Claret Stakes | Newmarket | 2m | 4yo |
1810 | Epsom Gold Cup | Epsom | 1m 4f | 3yo+ |
1815 | Riddlesworth Stakes | Newmarket | 1m | 3yo |
1815 | Port Stakes | Newmarket | 1m 7½f | 4yo |
1878 | Rous Memorial Stakes | Ascot | 1m | 3yo+ |
1888 | Lancashire Plate | Manchester | 7f / 1m | 2yo+ |
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.
National Hunt racing is a form of horse racing particular to France, Great Britain and Ireland, that requires horses to jump fences and ditches. In the UK it is divided into two major distinct branches, hurdling and steeplechase, as well as flat races called "bumpers". Hurdling involved the horses jumping over obstacles called hurdles, whereas 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.
Leicester Racecourse is a horse racing course in Oadby, Leicestershire, about three miles south of the city centre.
Ayr Racecourse at Whitletts Road, Ayr, Scotland, was opened in 1907. There are courses for flat and for National Hunt racing.
The Coral Welsh Grand National is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 6½ furlongs, and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on 27 December.
Nottingham Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated at Colwick Park, close to the River Trent and about 3 km east of the city centre.
The March Stakes was a flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years. It was run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs (2,816 metres), and was scheduled to take place each year in late August.
The Elite Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Wincanton over a distance of about 1 mile and 7 furlongs, and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in early November.
The Worcester Novices' Chase, later run as the John Francome Novices' Chase, was a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It was run at Newbury over a distance of about 2 miles and 7½ furlongs, and during its running there were eighteen fences to be jumped. The race was for novice chasers, and it was scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles, and during its running there are fourteen fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The Becher Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged six years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and 2 furlongs, and during its running there are twenty-one fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November or December.
The Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase, known for sponsorship purposes as the Paddy's Reward Club Novices' Handicap Chase, is a Listed National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped. It was a handicap race for novice chasers with a handicap rating between 0 and 145, and it takes place each year in March.
The Pertemps Network Final is a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles, and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The Hampton Court Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlongs and 212 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
The Lancashire Plate was a flat horse race in Great Britain open to Thoroughbreds aged two years and over. It was run over seven furlongs at Manchester Racecourse in September from 1888 to 1893. It was one of the most valuable races in the country and its winners included Classic victors Seabreeze, Donovan and La Fleche.
The Scarbrough Stakes was a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged two years or older. It was run at Doncaster Racecourse over a distance of 5 furlongs and 3 yards, and was scheduled to take place each year in September. It was removed from the pattern race programme by the British Horseracing Authority in 2024.
The Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle is a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 3 miles and half a furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
The Badger Beer Handicap Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in England which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Wincanton over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlongs, and during its running there are twenty-one fences to be jumped. It is a limited handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
The Tandridge Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 1 yard at Lingfield Park in February. Prior to 2023 the race was named the Winter Derby Trial and run over 1 mile and 2 furlongs. First run in 1999, it was run as an ungraded conditions race prior to 2007. The race was reduced in distance to 1 mile and renamed the Tandridge Stakes from the 2023 running.