The five classic horse races, also known as the “Classics” or the “English Classics” are the five most prestigious flat races in the United Kingdom. They are open to three-year-old thoroughbred horses and are restricted to colts and fillies. The five races, which form the English Triple Crown, are the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the St Leger Stakes, the Oaks and the 1000 Guineas.
History of the 5 Classics
The history of the five classics goes back to the 18th century, when the first three races were established. The 2000 Guineas was first run in 1809, followed by the Oaks and the Epsom Derby in the early 1800s. The 1000 Guineas was added in 1814 and the St Leger in 1776.
Description of the 5 Classics
The five classics are all run over a distance of one mile, except for the St Leger Stakes which is run over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards. The five races all take place at different racecourses. The 2000 Guineas is held at Newmarket, the Epsom Derby at Epsom Downs, the Oaks at Epsom Downs, the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster.
Prizes and Rewards of the 5 Classics
The five classics are some of the most prestigious and sought after races in the horse racing world. The prize money for each of the five races is £500,000 and the winner of each race receives the prestigious title of Classic winner.
The Triple Crown
The five classics are known as the English Triple Crown, as the winner of three of the five races is awarded the prestigious title of Triple Crown winner. The three races which make up the Triple Crown are the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger Stakes. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Nijinsky in 1970.
The 2000 Guineas
The 2000 Guineas is the first of the five classics, and is run at the Newmarket racecourse. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, and is run over a distance of one mile. The first running of the 2000 Guineas took place in 1809, and it is the oldest of the five classics. The most successful horse in the history of the 2000 Guineas is the legendary Sir Ivor, who won the race in 1968, 1969 and 1970.
The Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby is the second of the five classics, and is run at the Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, and is run over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards. The first running of the Epsom Derby took place in 1780, and it is the most famous of the five classics. The most successful horse in the history of the Epsom Derby is the legendary Shergar, who won the race in 1981.
The St Leger Stakes
The St Leger Stakes is the third of the five classics, and is run at the Doncaster racecourse. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, and is run over a distance of one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards. The first running of the St Leger Stakes took place in 1776, and it is the longest of the five classics. The most successful horse in the history of the St Leger Stakes is the legendary Ormonde, who won the race in 1886, 1887 and 1888.
The Oaks
The Oaks is the fourth of the five classics, and is run at the Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey. It is open to three-year-old fillies, and is run over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards. The first running of the Oaks took place in 1779, and it is the second oldest of the five classics. The most successful horse in the history of the Oaks is the legendary Pretty Polly, who won the race in 1904, 1905 and 1906.
The 1000 Guineas
The 1000 Guineas is the fifth and final of the five classics, and is run at the Newmarket racecourse. It is open to three-year-old fillies, and is run over a distance of one mile. The first running of the 1000 Guineas took place in 1814, and it is the second oldest of the five classics. The most successful horse in the history of the 1000 Guineas is the legendary Morny Cannon, who won the race in 1896, 1897 and 1898.
Conclusion
The five classics are some of the most prestigious and sought after races in the horse racing world. Each of the five races has its own history and its own unique identity, and each one provides an opportunity for a horse to become a classic winner. Winning three of the five classics, the English Triple Crown, is a highly sought after achievement, with the last horse to do it being Nijinsky in 1970.
The five classics are the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the St Leger Stakes, the Oaks and the 1000 Guineas. Each of the five races is run over a distance of one mile, except for the St Leger Stakes which is run over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards. The five races all take place at different racecourses, and the prize money for each of the races is £500,000. The most successful horse in the history of each of the five classics is Sir Ivor for the 2000 Guineas, Shergar for the Epsom Derby, Ormonde for the St Leger Stakes, Pretty Polly for the Oaks and Morny Cannon for the 1000 Guineas.