European horse racing classifications assign horses ratings from 0 to over 130 (flat) or 170 (jumps) based on ability, updated weekly by the British Horseracing Authority. Flat races are divided into seven classes by rating, with Class 1 for top horses rated 110+. Jumps racing has six classes, with Class 1 including Grade 1 and Premier Handicap races for horses rated 125+. Ratings are removed after nine months off and must be reapplied for.
- These race classifications apply mostly to European horse racing.
- Horses are assigned a rating based on ability are carry appropriate weight
- Rating vary from 0 to 130 and over in flat racing
- Frankel was given a 140 rating for an example
- Jumps or Hurdle racing ratings vary from 0 to 170 and over
- Ratings optional claiming -same as above, like an allowance optional claiming in the US, but only horses that have certain ratings may be allowed to compete under the allowance conditions and not be claimed.
A deeper Dive into Ratings
An Official Rating isn't permanent; if a horse is off the track for nine months or more, its rating is removed.
To restore a rating, trainers or owners must apply, often receiving a slightly lower rating. The horse is then evaluated in races to check the impact of the absence or injury.
Ratings are updated weekly by the British Horseracing Authority every Tuesday morning to reflect a horse's current ability.
The Classification System-Flat Racing
Races are divided into classes to match horses of similar ability, much like football leagues separate teams by skill level.
Flat racing classes are:
- Class 1: Top level, including Group 1-3 and Listed races, for horses rated 110+ (e.g., the five Classics).
- Class 2: Horses rated 86-110.
- Class 3: Rated 76-95.
- Class 4: Rated 66-85.
- Class 5: Rated 56-75.
- Class 6: Rated 46-65.
- Class 7: Lowest level, rated 46-50.
The Classification System-Jumps Racing
- Class 1: This is similar to flat racing, insomuch as it is divided further into Grade 1, Grade 2, Premier Handicap and Listed events. Premier Handicap and Listed events are usually for horses rated 125 and over, whilst Grade 1 and Grade 2 races are often run as high class handicaps
- Class 2: High class handicap races that are open for horses with ratings of 0-140 and over
- Class 3: Runners here fit into the 0-120 or 0-135 bands
- Class 4: Open to horses rated between 0-100 and 0-115
- Class 5: These races are for runners in the 0-85 and 0-95 range
- Class 6: These are usually National Hut flat races
Although a horse with an Official Rating of 80 could theoretically race in Class 5 to Class 2 due to wide rating bands, this rarely happens. Races prioritize higher-rated horses, leaving little room for lower-rated ones.
Additionally, lower-rated horses running above their natural class must carry extra weight, so trainers usually avoid entering them in such races.