Course Design
Type of racing
There are two main types of racing: flat and jump.
Flat racing
Tends to take place between March and November. The flat racing calendar includes many major fixtures, such as the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. Flat races are run over a number of different distances, from 5 furlongs (which is just over 1,000m) to over 2 miles. The longest flat race in Britain is the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, which has a race length of over 2 miles and 6 furlongs. Older and more experienced horses tend to run in longer flat races.
Jump racing
Requires racehorses to jump over either hurdles or fences.
Hurdle racing
Hurdle races tend to be run over shorter distances (about 2 to 3½ miles) than fence races, with each hurdle being at least 1 metre (3½ feet) high.
Fence racing
These are more challenging than hurdle races: the fences are at least 1.4 metres (4½ feet) high and run over distances of between 2 and 4½ miles. Perhaps the most famous fence race is the Grand National, which takes place each April at Aintree racecourse, close to Liverpool. The Grand National involves 30 fences over a 4½ mile race.
Racecourses can be combined and offer flat racing and/or one or both types of jump racing. A course that offers more than just flat racing will cost more to build and maintain, but because it offers more scope for different types of racing, there will often be greater demand for racing there.