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In Britian there are five 'Classic' flat races. These are the pinnacle of prestige, glamour, history and money in British flat racing and are huge events in the racing calendar worldwide.
The Classic races are all for 3 year old horses only- generally when the horse is at it's peak speed and fitness for flat races.
The five Classic races are:
No horse since Nijinsky in 1970 and Bahram in 1935 before him has ever won the 'Triple Crown' of Classics open to Colts- the 2000 Guineas, The Derby and the St. Leger.
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2,000 Guineas Stakes
Course: Newmarket
Date: First weekend in May
Distance: 1 mile
Open to: 3 y/o Colts and Fillies
The first classic of the season open to Colts and Fillies, the 2,000 Guineas is when the top miler's Classic reputations are put on the line for the first time.
Taking place on Newmarket's Rowley mile course, the race is an intense test of speed, but as the race draws on and the combatants climb the Rowley Mile's hill stamina is sincerely tested too.
Famous recent winners include Nijinksy, Brigadier Gerard, Dancing Brave, Rock of Gibraltar, George Washington and 2008 saw an incredible race as Henrythenavigator edged out New Approach by a nose.
View the full list of 2,000 Guineas winners
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1,000 Guineas Stakes
Course: Newmarket
Date: First weekend in May
Distance: 1 mile
Open to: 3 y/o Fillies
The 1,000 Guineas is held the day after the 2,000 Guineas on the same Newmarket Rowley Mile course, but is open only Fillies.
The youngest of the Classics, it was first run in 1814 and includes amongst its winners Pretty Polly (1904), Petite Etoile (1959), Miesque (1987 - on the way to back-to-back victories in the Breeders' Cup Mile), and Bosra Sham in 1996.
View the full list of 1,000 Guineas winners
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The Oaks
Course: Epsom
Date: First weekend in June
Distance: 1 mile and 4 furlongs
Open to: 3 y/o Fillies
Epsom's Ladies Day is the place to dress up in your best to see the finest fillies competing in the feature race - The Oaks. It is the day when Ladies take centre stage both on and off the course.
The Epsom racecourse itself provides the ultimate test for the world's finest fillies. The perfection of the turf in the summer sunshine deceives the eye into ironing out the steep incline, the deceptive cambers and the unforgiving descent into Tattenham Corner.
Past winners include Pretty Polly (1904), Sun Chariot (1942), Oh So Sharp (1985), Ramruma (1999) and Ouija Board, who took the 2004 running and went on to win that year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
View the full list of Oaks winners |
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The Derby
Course: Epsom
Date: First weekend in June
Distance: 1 mile and 4 furlongs
Open to: 3 y/o Colts and Fillies
Derby Day dates back to 1780 and is still the greatest flat race in the world. The Derby remains the race that everyone wants to win, as horses and riders are pushed to their limit around the unique and challenging course.
The absolute Blue Riband of flat racing, Derby Day is a great day out and always has a very special atmosphere.
Winners of the Derby include greats like Dante (1945), Nijinsky (1970), Mill Reef (1971), Shergar (1981), Nashwan (1989), Galileo (2001) and in 2008 New Approach edged out Tartan Bearer in a thrilling finish.
View the full list of Derby winners |
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The St. Leger
Course: Doncaster
Date: Second weekend in September
Distance: 1 mile and 6 furlongs
Open to: 3 y/o Colts and Fillies
The St Leger is the oldest classic race, dating back to 1776
There are too many famous St Leger moments to list, but highlights include the phenomenal Nijinsky and Lester Piggott winning the Triple Crown in 1970, the Queen’s Dunfermline out-battling Alleged – the only time he was ever beaten in his racing career, and Oh So Sharp landing the Fillies’ Triple Crown in 1985.
The last Classic of the season, the St. Leger is still a truly great race and part of a fantastic festival.
View the full list of St. Leger winners
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