Complete Guide Horse Racing Grades and Classes

The main reason individuals wager on horse races is for the thrill of it, especially with the days main racing selections. Some people enjoy betting. Others find the excitement of betting exciting. Finally, some people gamble due to their understanding of how to make extra money. If you want to join them, the first thing you should do is grasp how racing works. The confusing grades and classes will be gone. It may sound complex. Here’s everything you need to know about horse racing categories and levels.

Flat Racing Grades and Classes

Flat races are held on a flat course with no obstructions, and they are divided into three levels: Classics, Class 1, and Class 2-7.

• The Classics: The highest grade of horse racing is rated as Group 1. It includes the most distinguished races, including the Epsom Derby and Epsom Oaks, the 1000 Guineas, the 2,000 Guineas, and St Ledger. St Ledger is the first race to be held at Doncaster in 1776.
• Class 1: The highest level of flat racing is known as Conditions. Horses’ weights are referred to as conditions, and these can differ from race to race. These races are subdivided into categories.
• Class 2-7: All other flat races held in the United Kingdom are included in this session. The Class 1, Class 2-7 events are further divided into divisions.

For all of these competitions, the British Horseracing Authority assigns handicaps (which are based on performance) to horses. The higher the handicap level, the better. For instance, a handicap of 50 is classified as Class 7, whereas Class 2 handicaps are above 86.

When betting, determining the horse handicap and attempting to categorize it into a category or grade might be difficult. The lower the class and grades, the better the horse is, and the more renowned the race.

National Hunt Grades and Classes

National Hunt racing is a type of horse race that incorporates obstacles and barriers. The most popular horse racing events are National Hunts, which are divided into two classes. There are two categories in each grade of Class 1 National Hunt races, with seven more under each grade.

• Grade 1 races are the cream of the crop. There are just 30 Grade 1 events in all seasons, including championship races such as the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup. In Grade 1 races, the weight each horse carries is determined solely by age and gender, with no deductions for previous victories.
• A Grade 2 race is one that can result in minor fines for prior victories; nevertheless, the weight each horse carries is still decided based on its age.
• In a Grade 3 race, the horses are rated not only on their age but also on their handicap rating. These events are also known as Valuable Open Handicaps and emphasize the handicap rating of each horse rather than its age.

The more difficult Levels 2-7 are in comparison. Horses are divided into groups according to their quality, with handicaps used to distinguish between them. New horses begin at Class 7 and work their way up. It should go without saying that the higher the class, the greater the value of a bet.