Flat races are run ‘on the level’ – they do not include any obstacles.
What is Flat Racing?
Flat racing is a test of speed, stamina, and the skill of the jockey in choosing the right tactics; knowing where to position their horse in the race, when to restrain their horse or to ask it to make an effort.
Races are held over a variety of distances from 5F to over 2 miles and under conditions with eligibility based on the sex, age or ability of the horse.
The majority of Flat races in the UK are run on grass, but some are run on synthetic or all weather surfaces. These tracks are called all weather because the materials they are made of have better drainage than turf. In cold weather, these surfaces allow racing to continue when it might otherwise be cancelled due to frost or frozen ground.
Examples of flat races include:
