FLAT Maiden Stakes Maiden races are for horses yet to win a Flat race of any description. Many of these horses will still be very inexperienced and will almost certainly improve for the racecourse experience they gain today. Colts and geldings carry 9st 3lb, fillies 8st 12lb. This particular event is restricted to horses whose sires are registered to the European Breeders Fund. Handicap Stakes Handicaps exist as an attempt to level the playing field between horses of varying quality, thereby ensuring more competitive racing for connections and punters alike. All horses, from the Derby winner (usually given a figure in the 130’s) right down to the lowliest performer (around 30), possess an official BHA rating that reflects their relative abilities. The higher the rating, the bigger the weight the horse has to carry. NATIONAL HUNT Novices’ Steeplechase Novice races are generally for younger horses in their first season whether over hurdles or fences. In a novice steeplechase, animals that have won a steeplechase prior to 27th April 2008 are no longer deemed to be novices and are barred from this type of event, unless a victory has been achieved in a Maiden or Novice Hunter chase. In theory, this allows the inexperienced horses to race against each other before graduating to the senior ranks. This race is for five-year olds and upwards which have not won more than two steeplechases. Weight is allocated according to sex and number of races previously won. Handicap Steeplechase Handicaps exist as an attempt to level the playing field for horses of varying quality, thereby ensuring more competitive racing for connections and punters alike. All animals, form the Gold Cup or Champion Hurdle winner (usually rated in the 170s) right down to the lowliest performer (around 40), posses an official BHA rating that reflects their relative abilities. The higher the rating, the bigger the weight the horse has to carry. In most National Hunt Handicaps, there is a minimum weight of 10st so any animal whose rating would allocate them less than that still has to shoulder that burden. The horses that fall into this category are said to be racing from ‘out of the handicap’ - usually a distinct disadvantage. Novices’ Handicap Steeplechase This handicap steeplechase is for novices’ aged five-years and upwards which are rated from 0-100. In most handicaps, any horse who has won recently can also expect an extra penalty over and above their initial weight allocation. Open Hunters’ Steeplechase Hunter Chases give the regulars of the point-to-pointing circuit a chance to shine under National Hunt rules. A horse is only qualified for this type of event if it holds a Hunters’ Certificate (provided by a Master of Hounds to prove that the horse has been regularly hunted throughout the season). All races of this type are restricted to amateur jockeys, and thrills and spills are a regular occurrence!
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