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Classic Races
British flat racing - meaning the races are run on 'the flat', without jumps - are the most traditional form of horse racing. The Classics, or Classic Races, are a series of five flat races, held annually and restricted to horses which are three years of age. The five races, which are subdivided into two separate competitions, the Triple Crown and the Fillies' Triple crown, are held at three different race courses; Newmarket, Epsom Downs and Doncaster. The Classic Races are so popular that bookmakers all across the UK offer year-round antepost betting on the events; allowing punting professionals to benefit from excellent early odds.
The five Classic Races in the United Kingdom are:
2,000 Guineas Stakes
This race is held at the famous Newmarket Racecourse, on the Rowley Mile, in late April or early May, and is run over a distance of one mile. The 2,000 Guineas Stakes was first held on 18th April 1809. It is open to fillies and colts, female and male three-year-olds, and is the first race of the Classics season. The 2,000 Guineas Stakes is also part of the Triple Crown, a separate cup comprised of the three classic races which allow horses of either sex to enter.
Read More about the 2,000 Guineas Stakes »
1,000 Guineas Stakes
The second race of the Classics also takes place at Newmarket's Rowley Mile at the same time as the 2,000 Guineas Stakes (late April or early March). The 1,000 Guineas Stakes was first introduced on 28th April 1814, five years after the 2,000 Guineas Stakes was established. It is open to fillies only, female horses of three years, which makes it part of the Fillies' Triple Crown, the fillies-only version of the Triple Crown mentioned above. As the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, it is run over the course of one mile.
Read More about the 1,000 Guineas Stakes »
Epsom Oaks
The race, conducted at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey, is the third of the Classics races, as well as the second event in the Fillies' Triple Crown. Like the 1,000 Guineas Stakes it is a contest for female three-year-olds only. The Epsom Oaks race was established in 1779, one year before the Derby Stakes premiered. It takes its name from 'The Oaks' a home rented by the 12th Earl of Derby in the Epsom area. The race takes place over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards.
Read More about the Epsom Oaks »
Epsom Derby
Also known as simply The Derby to locals and as the Epsom Derby to the international audience, is the fourth race of the Classics series. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards - as the Epsom Oaks -; a meeting taking place annually in early June. As it is open to colts and fillies, it is also the second leg of the Triple Crown. The very first Epsom Derby was held on 4th May 1780, with Diomed, a colt from the stables of Lord Bunbury taking first place.
Read More about the Epsom Derby »
St. Leger Stakes
The last race of the Classics, the Triple Crown and- strangely - the Fillies' Triple Crown is hosted at Doncaster, and run over a distance of one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards every September. The St Leger Stakes is the longest of the Classic races and was introduced in 1777, named in honour of local army officer and politician Anthony St. Leger.
Read More about the St Leger Stakes »
English Classic Races Odds and News
13 Sep 2011: Coolmore Play Chicken With So You Think’s Arc Bid
If there plan was to draw out the suspense for as long as possible Coolmore is doing a pretty good job with the main 2011 goal for So You Think still not confirmed.
At first the conjecture was surrounding the Cox Plate at it wasn’t until the latest round of acceptances were made that we finally learned So You Think would not be heading back to Australia.
With that news it became more or less a certainty that he’d run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, however try getting that in a statement from Coolmore.
He is the betting favourite for the Arc at 
Bet365 and with a lack of other options it would be almost unbelievable should Coolmore pass up Europe’s most prestigious race but they are adamant they’ll be keeping their options open.
“It’s still a way off and we haven’t decided yet,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said.
So You Think has been in devastating form since arriving in Europe culminating in his latest win where he was too strong for Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes.
That pushed his total career earnings beyond the $6.6 million mark and has turned him into one of the hottest stud prospects on the planet.
That’s exactly the value Coolmore saw in the horse when they bought him after the 2010 Melbourne Cup and with four wins from five runs since then, including three Group 1′s, his value has only increased.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe would be the ultimate ninth Group 1 to add to his resume and in reality there’s probably no other race that would be worth the same.
With that said surely even Coolmore wouldn’t cause a surprise as big as not entering him, however their hesitance has been enough to cause uncertainty on the totes.
While he is the favourite, the best odds you can get on So You Think are still around 4 to 1 at Bet365, that’s great value when you consider he shares that quote with Sarafina.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is run over 2400m and will be held on October 2 with a prize pool of $5.2 million.
Remember to register a new account with Bet365 today and get your bets on So You Think now because as soon as he’s a confirmed starter you can guarantee that quote will come in dramatically.
29 Mar 2011: 2011 Grand National Betting Preview
12 Sep 2010: Arctic Cosmos Wins St. Leger Stakes
11 Sep 2010: St Leger Festival 2010 – Day 4 Horse Races
