Harley Equestrian inc Harley Racing

Flat Racing

 

Flat racing is a term commonly used to denote a form of horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing over hurdles. The race is a test of speed, stamina and the skill of the jockey in determining by when he/she choses to hold the horse back or to make the horse work harder.

The flat races in Great Britain are run over a variety of distances from five furlongs (1006 m) to over two miles (3219 m) and are generally called sprints, middle distance or stayers races.

Racing takes place on a natural grass surface (turf) or on a synthetic surface (all-weather). Racing in Europe is generally on turf, while in the United States and Canada, the more important races are on dirt or all-weather. Indeed, nearly all North American races are flat races, as steeplechase racing is very infrequent and largely confined to short, specialized race meets. There, the term "flat racing" is rarely used, as the form is so predominant.

In Europe, the two most powerful "teams" are Coolmore Stud farm, most of whose horses are trained by Aidan O'Brien in County Tipperary in Ireland and owned by John Magnier and/or Michael Tabor, and the United Arab Emirates based Godolphin stables, owned by the Sheikh Mohammed and his brothers but based during the summer in Newmarket, England.

Major Flat Races

The Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres) at Epsom Downs Racecourse in early June. It is one of five British Classic Races.

The race is named after the Earl of Derby's estate "The Oaks" in Carshalton, about 4 miles to the east of Epsom Downs. At a dinner party held there the Earl and his friends planned a sweepstake for three-year-old fillies over a distance of one and a half miles (2,414 metres) and this was first run the following year on May 14, 1779 and won by the Earl's own horse Bridget. The race has been named thus since.

The Derby
The Derby Stakes, known colloquially as The Derby and internationally as the Epsom Derby, is considered one of the most prestigious flat thoroughbred horse races in the world. The race takes place each year on the first weekend in June at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Surrey, England.

The Derby is one of the five British Classic Races and is the second leg of the English Triple Crown, preceded by the 2,000 Guineas and followed by the St. Leger. It is a Group 1 race for three-year-old colts and fillies, although the latter have rarely participated in recent years. The equivalent race for fillies only is the Oaks, and for older horses the Coronation Cup, both run over the same course and distance.

The St. Leger
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs and 132 yards (2,937 metres) at Doncaster Racecourse in September. First held in 1776, it has eclipsed the earlier established Doncaster Cup as the most important race run at the course.

It is the oldest of the five British Classic Races and also the final leg of both the colts' and fillies' Triple Crowns. Unlike the earlier Classics, the St. Leger in recent years has not always been contested by the most highly regarded three-year-olds in training. These have instead tended to be aimed towards the more glamorous and rewarding all-aged Group 1 races over shorter distances, such as the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. However, the St. Leger can often be won by a good late-maturing three-year-old with the potential to improve in the following seasons.
 


 

Equestrian Online Store
Welcome to Harley Equestrian inc Harley Racing. Visit our online shop and find products for both horse and rider. We cater for all forms of equestrian sports from Hunting, National Hunt Racing, Flat Racing, Dressage, Showing through to Eventing. We specialise in the supply of all equestrian related goods from children starting out at Pony Club right through to the needs of the Professional Rider.

Equestrian Products from these Manufacturers
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Retail Premises
Our extensive retail premises near Woodford Halse Northamptonshire is open seven days a week and we hold a vast range of equestrian products for the horse and rider. We also have a fully equipped saddlery fitting service on site and offer a mobile service within a 25 mile radius of our premises. Click here to view pictures of our equestrian store. You can also order direct over the phone using contact details above.

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