English Classics Races Guide
2000 Guineas
Run over a mile at Newmarket in early May, mainly a test of speed but the uphill finish to the Rowley mile has found many a colt wanting for stamina over the years.
1000 Guineas
The fillies’ equivalent of the 2,000 Guineas; run over the same course and distance at the early May meeting.
The Oaks
At Epsom in early June sees fillies’ stamina tested over the one and a half undulating miles of Epsom Downs.
The Derby
The “Blue Riband” of the English turf. Three-year-old colts (fillies are eligible but rarely compete these days) stretch every sinew and nerve as they hurtle round Epsom’s switchback mile-and-a-half. This is a true test of stamina for young horses.
St Leger
The St Leger at Doncaster’s Town Moor in September is the last chance of classic glory for many entries these days. No horse since the great Nijinsky has completed the “Triple Crown” of Guineas, Derby and Leger, and the marathon 1m 6f 132yards and glamorous alternatives such as the Arc and Breeders’ Cup lead Derby and Guineas winners’ connections to set their sights elsewhere.
English Classics Betting
The Classics are major betting events, with millions of pounds bet on each of the races annually. The five Classics are also amongst a handful of races which offer year-round antepost betting markets, allowing smart punters to benefit from excellent early odds on the United Kingdom and Ireland’s finest thoroughbred talent.
