Could anyone tell me help me out understanding the Irish grading system. It doesn't appear the same as the UK.
It looks like there aren't any lower classes of race, but today there was a Stakes (Listed) Class 1 race. Is this the same as the UK? There was less than 300k traded on this race, which seems a bit low for class 1 race.
Also I've noticed that some races have (47-65), (60-90), (50-80) .. after them. What does that mean?
I'd value any help. Thanks in advance.
Irish horse grading system
FLAT MAIDEN
A race for horses that have not won a flat race before. These races are normally confined to an age group. A 2-Y-O maiden is for horses aged 2 year old only that have not won a race while there are also 3-Y-O maiden races and ones for older horses as well.
FLAT HANDICAPS
A race in which the weights are calculated by an official assessor (called a handicapper). The better class horses carry the highest weights while the lesser class horses carry lower weights with the top weight generally being 10st extending down to a bottom weight of 8st 4lb. A Nursery is a handicap for 2 years old only. Each flat horse normally receives a rating from the Official Handicapper after he has raced at least 3 times and he can then enter a handicap. Ratings generally go from as low as 47 to as high as 120+. The flat handicaps normally have a top and bottom rating and some of the typical types of handicaps are listed as follows:-
47-60, 50-70, 50-80, 60-80, 60-90, 60-100, 70-100
Horses rated above 100 can run in handicap races but generally don’t as they would have too much weight to carry. These horses can be aimed at listed and pattern races.
CONDITIONS RACE
A notch below listed standard, there are certain conditions for qualification. Sometimes these races are confined to winners of one race, winners of two races, winners of races of a certain value or from a certain date. Previous winners generally have to carry extra weights in terms of penalties.
LISTED/PATTERN RACE
These races are more valuable races and generally attract the better class horses. A horse would usually be rated above 90 to compete in listed races and the weights would include penalties for winning certain types of races. A Group 3 race is a slight step up from listed level with horses generally rated 100 taking part while a Group 2 race attracts horses rated from 100 to 115. The most prestigious and important races are Group 1 races. These are very valuable races and the winners of these races generally become stallions at the end of their careers or, if they are fillies, they become valuable broodmares when they retire. There are 12 Group 1 races in Ireland at the moment with five of these called Classic races.
CLASSIC RACES
The 2000 Guineas, The 1000 Guineas, The Derby, The Oaks and The St Leger are the 5 Classic races in Ireland. Fillies can run in all five Classic races with colts only allowed to run in the 2000 Guineas, The Derby and The St Leger. The 1000 and 2000 Guineas are run over a mile with the Derby and the Oaks held over a mile and a half while the St Leger is run over a distance of one mile and six furlongs. In Ireland, the 5 Classic Races are all held at the Curragh Racecourse in Co. Kildare.
http://www.goracing.ie/AssetLibrary/Fil ... 0GUIDE.pdf
A race for horses that have not won a flat race before. These races are normally confined to an age group. A 2-Y-O maiden is for horses aged 2 year old only that have not won a race while there are also 3-Y-O maiden races and ones for older horses as well.
FLAT HANDICAPS
A race in which the weights are calculated by an official assessor (called a handicapper). The better class horses carry the highest weights while the lesser class horses carry lower weights with the top weight generally being 10st extending down to a bottom weight of 8st 4lb. A Nursery is a handicap for 2 years old only. Each flat horse normally receives a rating from the Official Handicapper after he has raced at least 3 times and he can then enter a handicap. Ratings generally go from as low as 47 to as high as 120+. The flat handicaps normally have a top and bottom rating and some of the typical types of handicaps are listed as follows:-
47-60, 50-70, 50-80, 60-80, 60-90, 60-100, 70-100
Horses rated above 100 can run in handicap races but generally don’t as they would have too much weight to carry. These horses can be aimed at listed and pattern races.
CONDITIONS RACE
A notch below listed standard, there are certain conditions for qualification. Sometimes these races are confined to winners of one race, winners of two races, winners of races of a certain value or from a certain date. Previous winners generally have to carry extra weights in terms of penalties.
LISTED/PATTERN RACE
These races are more valuable races and generally attract the better class horses. A horse would usually be rated above 90 to compete in listed races and the weights would include penalties for winning certain types of races. A Group 3 race is a slight step up from listed level with horses generally rated 100 taking part while a Group 2 race attracts horses rated from 100 to 115. The most prestigious and important races are Group 1 races. These are very valuable races and the winners of these races generally become stallions at the end of their careers or, if they are fillies, they become valuable broodmares when they retire. There are 12 Group 1 races in Ireland at the moment with five of these called Classic races.
CLASSIC RACES
The 2000 Guineas, The 1000 Guineas, The Derby, The Oaks and The St Leger are the 5 Classic races in Ireland. Fillies can run in all five Classic races with colts only allowed to run in the 2000 Guineas, The Derby and The St Leger. The 1000 and 2000 Guineas are run over a mile with the Derby and the Oaks held over a mile and a half while the St Leger is run over a distance of one mile and six furlongs. In Ireland, the 5 Classic Races are all held at the Curragh Racecourse in Co. Kildare.
http://www.goracing.ie/AssetLibrary/Fil ... 0GUIDE.pdf