From Ascot to York, British flat racing and its iconic tracks are steeped in history, tradition and prestige.
Each year, the turf campaign is built around a series of elite races that showcase the very best thoroughbreds, jockeys and trainers.
From the early-season Classics to the grand finale on Champions Day, here’s a quick guide to some of the biggest races that define British flat racing.
The Five Classics
The Classics are an integral part of the turf campaign, offering the ultimate tests for the best three-year-olds in the United Kingdom and Ireland each year.
2000 Guineas
Held at Newmarket in early May, the 2000 Guineas is the first Classic of the year and is open to both colts and fillies, although it predominantly features male horses.
It often shapes the early narrative for the season’s top milers and is a solid indicator for the Derby at Epsom the following month.
Ruling Court won this year’s renewal at the start of May, beating favourite Field Of Gold and stablemate Shadow Of Light, who was the champion two-year-old last year.
1000 Guineas
Run at flat racing’s HQ a day after its counterpart, the 1000 Guineas, is restricted to fillies. This mile contest is a good pointer for the Oaks.
Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and top jockey William Buick completed an historic Guineas double over the bank holiday weekend, as Desert Flower justified favouritism to beat a pair of outsiders trained by Ollie Sangster—28/1 shot Flight and Simmering, who was an even bigger price at 33/1.
The Oaks
The Oaks, traditionally run at Epsom in early June, is the premier Classic of the year for fillies.
Covering a mile and a half, or a mile and four furlongs, it demands both speed and stamina from the top female three-year-olds.
Desert Flower is the favourite based on her performance in the 1000 Guineas, but Falakeyah was another standout performer at Newmarket, when winning the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes by over three lengths over one mile and two furlongs, and can’t be ruled out at 10/1 for the third Classic.
The Derby
Arguably the most famous and prestigious flat race in the world, the Derby is the ultimate prize for colts.
Run over the same distance as the Oaks, this Epsom test has crowned legends for centuries.
The Lion In Winter, who wasn’t ready in time for the 2000 Guineas, is the favourite in the racing tips, potentially marking a record-extending 11th win for Aidan O’Brien in the Derby.
If 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court lines up at Epsom, fans will be treated to a thrilling renewal of this prestigious race as major operations Coolmore and Godolphin renew their rivilarly on the grandest stage.
St Leger
Last, but certainly not least, the St Leger is the oldest of the five Classics. Staged at Doncaster in September, it’s also the longest of the prestigious contests with a demanding mile and six furlongs trip.
Ruling Court is the early ante-post favourite for the St Leger at 6/1, switching roles with The Lion In Winter – who is the 10/1 second favourite.
Ascot Gold Cup & King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Both held at Ascot, the Gold Cup is the highlight of the Royal meeting each June. The pinnacle race of the year for stayers, it’s contested over a gruelling two and a half miles.
Yeats, Stradivarius and Kyprios are some of the legends who have etched their name in history in this race.
Kyprios extended his current unbeaten streak to eight races on his seasonal reappearance to retain the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan and is heavily backed to land a third Gold Cup at Ascot.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is held at the picturesque Berkshire track the following month and is one of the standout middle-distance races of the campaign.
Open to horses three and older, it often sees Derby winners take on seasoned older horses for the first time.
Sky Bet Ebor
Held at York and often dubbed the Ascot of the north, the Sky Bet Ebor is one of the richest and most competitive handicaps in Europe.
Raced over one mile and six furlongs, the Ebor offers a huge pot and a deeply competitive field.
Dewhurst Stakes
The Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes is the leading race of the year for two-year-olds.
Raced over seven furlongs on Newmarket’s prestigious Rowley Mile, this is seen as prep for the 2000 Guineas. Previous winners include Frankel, Churchill and City Of Troy.
Champions Day
An entire meeting rather than a single race, Champions Day is the grand finale for the flat racing season.
Also held at Ascot, it’s Britain’s richest raceday and features a range of championship contests from sprints to long distance.
It’s the perfect ending to a season.
