In horse racing terms what are Grades as in Grade 1 race and what are Classes as in Class 6 ?

Question

In horse racing terms what are Grades as in Grade 1 race and what are Classes as in Class 6 ?

Answer 1

Well done newmarket salsa. You forgot class 7.. the ones few people want the lowly banded ones on the pretend surface!

Answer 2

GRADED STAKES RACES-HANDICAP

STAKES/RACE FOR AGE--KENTUCKY DERBY

ALLOWANCE-HORSES NOT FOR SALE

CLAIMING-HORSES THAT CAN BE CLAIMED

MAIDEN RACES-HORSES THAT HAVE NEVER WON.

Answer 3

Graded, or Group races are the best type of race, with Grade/Group 1 being the highest quality.  Examples of Grade/Group 1 races are the 2,000 & 1,000 Guineas, the Derby, King George, the Arc, Dubai World Cup, Breeders' Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby, etc.

Grade/Group 2 race are the next best kind, followed by Grade/Group 3 races.  After this come the Listed Races.  This collection of races are generally referred to as Pattern Races and are all Class 1 races.

Following on from these races are the Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5 and Class 6.  Generally speaking Class 2 and 3 races are mainly handicaps and conditions races, with Class 4 and 5 generally being maiden races or poor handicaps.  Class 6 races are the lowest of the low, usually being sellers or claimers.

----UPDATE------ Oops Loanshark, you are right!  I guess I was trying to forget that these ghastly banded races are still around.  The sooner they are scrapped the better!