British Classic Races

For other meanings, see Classics (disambiguation).

In horse racing in Great Britain, the British Classics are a series of horse races run over the flat (i.e. without jumps) for Thoroughbreds. Each classic is run once each year and is restricted to horses that are three years old.

In 1902 Sceptre became the only racehorse to win four British Classic Races outright. Previously, in 1868, Formosa won the same four races but dead-heated in the 2,000 Guineas Stakes.^[1]

The five races are:

Race	Date	Distance	Course	First Run
2,000 Guineas Stakes	Late April / early May	1 mile	Newmarket	1809
1,000 Guineas Stakes	Late April / early May	1 mile	Newmarket	1814
Epsom Oaks	Early June	1 mile 4 furlongs 10 yd	Epsom Downs	1779
Epsom Derby	First Saturday in June	1 mile 4 furlongs 10 yd	Epsom Downs	1780
St. Leger Stakes	September	1 mile 6 furlongs 132 yd	Doncaster	1776

The 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks are restricted to three-year-old fillies. The 2,000 Guineas and Derby three-year-old colts and the St.Leger three-year old fillies and colts.

See also

• English Triple Crown race winners
• French Classic Races
• Japanese Classic Races
• United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing

References

1. ^ Thoroughbred Heritage: Sceptre Retrieved 2010-9-13