WHAT IS FLAT RACING?
Flat races are run ‘on the level’ – they do not include any obstacles.
Flat racing is a test of speed, stamina, and the skill of the jockey in choosing the right tactics; knowing where to position their horse in the race, when to restrain their horse or to ask it to make an effort.
Races are held over a variety of distances from 5F to over 2 miles and under conditions with eligibility based on the sex, age or ability of the horse.
The majority of Flat races in the UK are run on grass, but some are run on synthetic or all weather surfaces. These tracks are called all weather because the materials they are made of have better drainage than turf. In cold weather, these surfaces allow racing to continue when it might otherwise be cancelled due to frost or frozen ground.
Examples of flat races include:
☛Classics
☛Group and listed races
☛Maidens
☛Handicaps
☛Fast Facts
☛Group and listed races
☛Maidens
☛Handicaps
☛Fast Facts
Jump races or National Hunt races are races that include obstacles for the horse to negotiate. There are two types of obstacles, hurdles and fences. Jump racing in Ireland takes place all year round. Four of Ireland’s 26 racecourses, Punchestown, Downpatrick, Kilbeggan and Wexford solely cater for jump racing.
National Hunt races are held over a variety of distances from two to four miles and one furlong. The longest race in Ireland is the La Touche Cup which is held over the unique banks course at the Punchestown festival in late April.
Flat races are races that range from five furlongs to two miles and are run without any obstacles. Flat racing in Ireland primarily takes place on grass but a large number of Flat races are run on the all-weather surface at Dundalk.온라인경마 Dundalk is Ireland’s only all-weather racecourse and racing takes place there all year round, while the turf season only runs between mid-March and late October.
The Curragh is the headquarters of Flat racing in Ireland and plays host to many of the biggest races in the season. It is one of three tracks that only host Flat racing, the others are Dundalk and the once-a-year meeting on the beach at Laytown.
