National Hunt racing is the official name for show jumping racing in the United Kingdom in which horses jump fences or hurdles. There are also National Hunt flat races, commonly known as bumper races, in which show jumping horses gain experience racing in flat conditions before beginning a steeplechase or pursuit.

When are the national hunting races held?

The official season starts in mid-October and lasts until the end of April. However, jumping meetings are held throughout the year. The first big race, the Charlie Hall Chase, takes place at the end of October. The Attheraces Gold Cup (Sandown) heralds the end of the season in April.

What is the difference between hurdling and steeplechase?

An obstacle course is run over distances between 2 and 3.5 miles. They use small obstacles about 1.5 meters high that are not fixed and will often collapse if hit by a jumping horse.

An obstacle course, or pursuit, is run over distances between 2 and 4.5 miles. Here, the horses have to jump over fixed obstacles that are at least 4.5 feet high. They usually look like hedges.

What kind of horses run national hunt races?

Most horses are Thoroughbreds, but they don’t have to be Thoroughbreds to qualify. They come from a variety of sources, but usually they are horses that have been bred for flat racing or jumping.

When did National Hunt Racing start?

The sport originated in Ireland, with the first recorded race in County Cork in 1752. It was held between the towns of Doneraile and Buttevant, with the church steeples of each town serving as the start and finish lines. which is where the term steeplechase comes from, although it was not officially used until the early 1800s.

What are the grades and classes?

In order of prestige, the races are Grade One, Grade Two, Grade Three, Listed, Handicaps, and then Bumpers. They are classified into classes 1-7, with class 1 being the best.

What are the main events?

The two biggest events are the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National Gathering at Aintree. The Cheltenham Festival takes place in the second week of March and lasts for four days. There are eleven Grade One races, ending in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the most prestigious Chase race in the world. The Grand National takes place in April and lasts for three days. Both events draw high performance horses and huge audiences.

Who are the most notable winners?

The most famous winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup are Dawn Run, Arkle, Golden Miller, Best Mate and Desert Orchid. In the Grand National, famous winners include Red Rum, Mr. Frisk, Aldaniti and Foinavon.