The Best Jump and Flat Races of the Season
A closer look at the biggest flat and jump races throughout the season.
Horse racing is well and truly ingrained in British culture, with watching and betting on horse racing being a pastime Brits have partaken in for centuries.
But, with UK and Irish horse racing taking place every day in some shape or form, understanding the best jump and flat races of the season is wise. This is particularly important if you are new to horse racing and want to gain an insight into the top races to research, follow and bet on.
The Biggest Flat Races of the Season
Flat racing is a popular form of horse racing in the UK and is contested on level tracks. This means horses are put through their paces and require great stamina to succeed as flat racehorses.
The flat racing season runs from April to November and features some of the most prestigious races in global racing.
On this page, we will take a look at some of the top flat races of the season, exploring the history and context of each event!
The 2000 Guineas Stakes
The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race run over a distance of one mile. The race is hosted at the historic Newmarket Racecourse in early summer. It is the first Classic race of the season and is open to three-year-old colts as well as fillies. This race has an interesting history which dates back to 1809. It has been won by some of the greatest names in the sport, with past winners including Nijinsky, Sea the Stars and Frankel.
The 2000 Guineas Stakes is the first leg of British flat racing's Triple Crown, along with the Epsom Derby and the St Leger.
The Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby is another momentous horse racing event held at Epsom Downs Racecourse each June. The race is run over one and a half miles and is open to three-year-old colts, fillies and geldings. The Epsom Derby has a long and fascinating past, with the first run in 1780.
Some of the most incredible horses have been crowned winners of this race, including Sea the Stars, Shergar, and Nijinsky. The Epsom Derby is one of the major highlights of the flat racing season and attracts a large and passionate crowd each and every year. The late great Lester Piggott has ridden a record nine Epsom Derby winners.
The St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is the final Classic race of the season and is run over a distance of one and three-quarter miles at Doncaster Racecourse in September. The race is open to three-year-olds and is the oldest of the five Classics, with the first running taking place in 1776.
The St. Leger Stakes has been won by some of the greatest horses in the sport, including Nijinsky, Trundle, and Ruler of the World.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is categorised as a Group 1 flat race that is run over one and a half miles at Ascot Racecourse in July. Unlike the Classics, there is no age limit for horses racing in the event, allowing some of the best horses to win the race multiple times. Most notably Enable, who won a record three renewals in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Biggest Jump Races of the Season
Although jump races occur all year, most are scheduled for the Autumn and Winter months. As you may have guessed, jump racing involves races with obstacles, with participating horses having to clear (jump) over fences and hurdles as part of the course. Here are some of the most prominent races in the National Hunt season.
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival, held annually in March, is one of the most prestigious events in the UK jump racing calendar. The four-day festival, which is held at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, attracts the best horses, jockeys and trainers from around the world, who compete for over £4 million in prize money. The event comprises a total of 28 races, including an unprecedented 14 Grade 1s.
The highlight of the festival is the Gold Cup, which is considered one of the greatest races in jump racing and is run over a distance of three miles and two furlongs. The 2022 winner of the Gold Cup was the Irish-trained horse, A Plus Tard, ridden by jockey Rachael Blackmore.
Grand National
The Grand National is known as one of the oldest and most famous horse races. The event is held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. The race, run over a distance of four miles and two furlongs, is known for its challenging jumps and has seen some of the most thrilling races in horse racing history.
Notable past races include the 1967 race won by Foinavon at odds of 100/1. Foinavon was the only horse to avoid a huge pile-up at the 23rd fence, leaving him with a free run to an unlikely and famous victory.
The Grand National is synonymous with Red Rum, trained by the legendary Ginger McCain. Red Rum finished in the top two in five consecutive Grand Nationals between 1973-1977, winning a record three times. Red Rum's ashes are not scattered at the Winning Post at Aintree.
In 2022, the Grand National was won by the Irish-trained horse, Any Second Now, ridden by jockey Davy Russell.
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase, held annually on Boxing Day at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, is a much-followed UK race. The race, which is run over a distance of three miles, is known for its high-stakes and top-class competition, and has been won by some of the greatest horses in jump racing history. National Hunt icons such as Kauto Star (five times), Best Mate and Desert Orchard (four times) are all previous winners of this race.