Types of Horse Racing – Australia
Unlike the usual flat surface racing, Australia caters for all types of races thoroughbred racing to include
races with Special or Restricted conditions, Mares races for the females, Aged races for 2, 3, 4yo+, Group
One racing for the elite, maidens for the non-winners and many more.
The length of the races range from 800m to 3200m for flat races and 5000+ for Steeplechase races and
Hurdles.
Below is a list of the types of races available in Australia
Race Type
Flat Race
Hurdle This is a type of race at which the horses would jump over a number of huddles and the distance
of the race is not less than 2800m with hurdles not more than 1 meter
and not more than 150m from the starting point.
SteepleChase
Description
This is a type of race at which the horses race on a flat surface.
This is a horse race event where horses would have to jump over a number of fences
that are not more than 1.15m high and its distance less than 3200m and
weight range is between 62kg to 68kg.
Maiden
Class Races
A type of race that consists of horses that have never won a race
There are 6 types of class races and the first class – class 1 is restricted to horses that
have not won more than a single race going up in hierarchy at which
class 6 is restricted to horses that have not won more than 6 races.
Restricted and Special
Condition Races
This is a type of race at which the horses would have to meet certain type of
conditions before entry. For instance, they would be considering the
age, sex, the number of wins, etc. and all horses would have to match
these special requirements for entry.
Derby A blue ribbon classic stakes race for three year old fillies and colts & geldings running over a
distance of 2400m+
Handicap
This is a type of race at which the weight of a horse is determined by the handicapper
and its handicap rating increases according to its performance and all
horses will race against each other where their handicap ratings are
equal.
Mares A type of race with only female horses that are at least 4 years
Open
A type of race that does not give conditions or restrictions to horses. Any type of horse is
eligible to enter.
Flying Welter
Stakes Race
A race consisting of horses with light weight
A race consisting of quality horses and also offering higher prize money than the regular
horse races.
Unlike the usual flat surface racing, Australia caters for all types of races thoroughbred racing to include
races with Special or Restricted conditions, Mares races for the females, Aged races for 2, 3, 4yo+, Group
One racing for the elite, maidens for the non-winners and many more.
The length of the races range from 800m to 3200m for flat races and 5000+ for Steeplechase races and
Hurdles.
Below is a list of the types of races available in Australia
Race Type
Flat Race
Hurdle This is a type of race at which the horses would jump over a number of huddles and the distance
of the race is not less than 2800m with hurdles not more than 1 meter
and not more than 150m from the starting point.
SteepleChase
Description
This is a type of race at which the horses race on a flat surface.
This is a horse race event where horses would have to jump over a number of fences
that are not more than 1.15m high and its distance less than 3200m and
weight range is between 62kg to 68kg.
Maiden
Class Races
A type of race that consists of horses that have never won a race
There are 6 types of class races and the first class – class 1 is restricted to horses that
have not won more than a single race going up in hierarchy at which
class 6 is restricted to horses that have not won more than 6 races.
Restricted and Special
Condition Races
This is a type of race at which the horses would have to meet certain type of
conditions before entry. For instance, they would be considering the
age, sex, the number of wins, etc. and all horses would have to match
these special requirements for entry.
Derby A blue ribbon classic stakes race for three year old fillies and colts & geldings running over a
distance of 2400m+
Handicap
This is a type of race at which the weight of a horse is determined by the handicapper
and its handicap rating increases according to its performance and all
horses will race against each other where their handicap ratings are
equal.
Mares A type of race with only female horses that are at least 4 years
Open
A type of race that does not give conditions or restrictions to horses. Any type of horse is
eligible to enter.
Flying Welter
Stakes Race
A race consisting of horses with light weight
A race consisting of quality horses and also offering higher prize money than the regular
horse races.