Group | Group 1, 2 and 3. The highest class of race. |
Listed | Just below group class. |
Rated Stakes | Valuable handicaps with a 10 to 14lb weight range. |
Conditions Stakes | Races for horses below Listed Class, where horses carry weights based on particular conditions, e.g. according to races won, age etc. |
Classified Stakes | Races with a maximum rating for horses that have run at least 3 times, or run twice and won at least once. |
Handicap | Races where the weight a horse has to carry is determined by the official handicapper. The better the horse, the higher its handicap rating. Horse can only run in races where the max rating is higher or equal to its rating. |
Nursery | Handicap for 2yo horses only. |
Maiden Handicap | For 3yo+ maidens with a max rating of 70 that have run at least 4 times. |
Maiden | For horses that have never won. |
Rated Maiden | Maiden races with a max rating for horses that have run at least 3 times. |
Novice | For 2yos that have not won more than twice. |
Auction Maiden | For 2yos originally sold by auction at specified sales. |
Median Auction Maiden | For 2yos by stallions that established a median price for their yearlings at specified sales. |
Selling | For low class horses. The winners are offered for auction. Any other runner can be claimed too. |
Claiming | Each horse is allocated a weight according to the claiming price determined by the connections. The lower the weight, the lower the claiming price. Any horse can be claimed after the race. |
Apprentice | Races confined to apprentice jockeys only. Apprentices are allowed to claim a weight allowance because of their inexperience. They can claim 7lbs until they have won 20 races, 5lbs until 50 races, and 3lbs until 95 races. Weight allowances can be claimed in all race types except listed and group races. In some apprentice only races those apprentices that have never won a race can claim 10lbs. In some special races apprentices are allowed to claim a further 3lbs if they are riding for their retained yard. |
Amateur | Amateurs jockeys only who ride at a heavier weight than professionals. |
Lady | Female amateurs and female apprentices. |
Gentlemen | Male amateurs only. |