Flat Or Jumps?

Horseracing in the UK is divided into two ‘codes’ or types: flat racing and jump racing (also called National Hunt racing).

Most horseracing enthusiasts have a preference for one code or another and each code has its own characteristics.

In theory flat racing is the summer racing code and jump racing is a winter sport. But with the advent of all-weather flat racing at tracks like Wolverhampton, Southwell, Lingfield, and Kempton and summer jumps racing, the reality is that both codes now take place year-round. It is, however, still generally the case that the most valuable (measured by prize money) flat races take place during the ‘summer’ (April to October) whilst the most valuable jumps races take place in the ‘winter’ (November to April).

Flat racing is characterised by:
• Speed
• Glamour
• Warm summer days

Flat races take place from a minimum distance of five furlongs (5f) (a furlong equates to about 200 metres, or 1/8th of a mile) up to 2 miles 5 furlongs 159 yard for the Queen Alexandra Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.

Breeding and bloodstock are a more influential aspect of flat racing than they are in jump racing. A successful horse on the flat can be retired to stud duties as young as four years of age, or after just three seasons’ racing.

For example, Frankel, the wonder horse of the current generation, ran 14 times in his racing career between 13 August 2010 and 20 October 2012 (winning them all) before being retired to stud duties. It was announced in March 2013 that German filly Danedream (winner of the 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France) is in foal to Frankel. The fee to have Frankel mate with or ‘cover’ your filly is GB£ 125,000.

So it is easy to appreciate why the owners of good flat horses wish to retire them to stud rather than risk an injury or a tarnished reputation by prolonging their careers.

Important races in the UK Flat racing season include: the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas (Newmarket), the Derby (Epsom Downs) the Oaks (Epsom Downs), the St James’ Palace Stakes (Royal Ascot), Prince of Wales’ Stakes (Royal Ascot), and the St Leger (Doncaster).

Jump racing is characterised by:
• An emphasis on stamina and jumping ability rather than speed (by comparison to the flat)
• Association with the countryside pursuits such as hunting
• Cold, crisp winter’s afternoons

Jump races can be over hurdles or the bigger fences (steeplechase races) and range from two miles to four miles plus (like the Grand National at Aintree which is 4 miles and four furlongs).

There are even flat races run under the jumps code called National Hunt Flat races or ‘bumpers’.
There is less emphasis on breeding in the jumping code. This means that good horses have longer racing careers and can return for several consecutive seasons to contest the same races. The benefit of a longer career is that racing enthusiasts get to know a horse and a favoured horse can develop quite a following amongst the race-going public.

In the jumping code the Cheltenham Festival, held over four days in mid-March, has become the focal point of the season. Almost as soon as the season gets properly underway in November there will be talk of which horses will go to Cheltenham and which race they will contest. But there are, of course, other valuable races throughout the season such as: the Paddy Power Gold Cup (Cheltenham), the Lancashire Chase (Haydock Park), The Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Newbury), the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase (Sandown Park), the King George VI Steeple Chase (Kempton Park), and of course the Grand National Steeple Chase (Aintree).