Conditions races
Encyclopedia
Conditions races are horse races
where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving weight from older runners to allow for relative maturity, referred to as weight for age
; and quality of runners, with horses that have won certain values of races giving weight to less successful entrants.
Conditions races are distinct from handicap races
, where the weights carried are laid down by an official handicapper to equalise the difference in ability between the runners.
Conditions races are staged at all levels of horse racing, as all of the most important races in Europe
are conditions races, the term may also refer to the races for the very best horses, which are split into four levels, namely:
The pattern system, overseen by the European Pattern Committee, is fluid and the Group status of key races can change. By this method, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot was upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1 in the year 2000. However, a number of checks and balances are in place which ensure that changes to the Pattern are gradual and evolutionary, thereby giving the racing industry time to adjust. In particular, the current European Pattern Committee "Ground Rules" explicitly state that no race may be upgraded by more than one Group in any one year. Such restrictions can prove troublesome when major new races are launched. For example, the Dubai World Cup
, the world's richest horse race, was only given Listed status for its inaugural running in 1996.
The pattern system exerts a huge influence on the bloodstock market, particularly in relation to the stud fee that a stallion
can command for covering a mare
at stud. This will be dictated almost entirely by the stallion's performances in Pattern races during its racing career. Only the very best horses can perform successfully in Group 1 events and such animals invariably command the highest stud fees when their racing career is at an end. A top-quality stallion can be enormously lucrative for its owners - stud fees of more than US$100,000 are relatively commonplace for the most coveted stallions.
In North America
, the best horses race in "graded stakes race
s" instead of "conditions races". The division is similar to that for pattern races in the rest of the world:
In Australia
and New Zealand
, the best horses race in "Group races
" which are decided by the Australian Racing Board
and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated respectively. These races are divided into four levels:
Unlike in some other countries, handicap races can be included in the North American and Australian grading system; although most graded stakes race in North America and Group races in Australia are most conditions races, and handicaps are more often seen in races of lower level, there are still several handicaps are Grade I or Group 1 races respectively.
For lists of races go to:
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving weight from older runners to allow for relative maturity, referred to as weight for age
Weight for Age
Weight for Age is a term in Thoroughbred horse racing which is one of the conditions for a race. It means that a horse will carry a set weight in accordance with the Weight for Age Scale. This weight varies depending on the horse’s age, its sex, the race distance and the month of the year...
; and quality of runners, with horses that have won certain values of races giving weight to less successful entrants.
Conditions races are distinct from handicap races
Handicap races
A handicap race in horse racing is a race in which horses carry different weights, allocated by the handicapper. A better horse will carry a heavier weight, to give him or her a disadvantage when racing against slower horses...
, where the weights carried are laid down by an official handicapper to equalise the difference in ability between the runners.
Conditions races are staged at all levels of horse racing, as all of the most important races in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
are conditions races, the term may also refer to the races for the very best horses, which are split into four levels, namely:
- EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an Pattern Races- Group 1Group OneGroup One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
(G1) - (Classics and other races of major international importance) - Group 2 (G2) - (less important international races)
- Group 3 (G3) - (primarily domestic races)
- Group 1
- Listed Races - have less prestige than the group races but are still more important than handicaps.
The pattern system, overseen by the European Pattern Committee, is fluid and the Group status of key races can change. By this method, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot was upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1 in the year 2000. However, a number of checks and balances are in place which ensure that changes to the Pattern are gradual and evolutionary, thereby giving the racing industry time to adjust. In particular, the current European Pattern Committee "Ground Rules" explicitly state that no race may be upgraded by more than one Group in any one year. Such restrictions can prove troublesome when major new races are launched. For example, the Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
, the world's richest horse race, was only given Listed status for its inaugural running in 1996.
The pattern system exerts a huge influence on the bloodstock market, particularly in relation to the stud fee that a stallion
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
can command for covering a mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
at stud. This will be dictated almost entirely by the stallion's performances in Pattern races during its racing career. Only the very best horses can perform successfully in Group 1 events and such animals invariably command the highest stud fees when their racing career is at an end. A top-quality stallion can be enormously lucrative for its owners - stud fees of more than US$100,000 are relatively commonplace for the most coveted stallions.
In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, the best horses race in "graded stakes race
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
s" instead of "conditions races". The division is similar to that for pattern races in the rest of the world:
- Grade I
- Grade II
- Grade III
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the best horses race in "Group races
Group races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
" which are decided by the Australian Racing Board
Australian Racing Board
The Australian Racing Board is the peak national administration body for Thoroughbred racing in Australia. The statutory bodies for racing in each State or Territory, known as the Principal Racing Authorities, set up the Australian Racing Board by consensual agreement...
and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated respectively. These races are divided into four levels:
- Group 1
- Group 2
- Group 3
- Listed races
Unlike in some other countries, handicap races can be included in the North American and Australian grading system; although most graded stakes race in North America and Group races in Australia are most conditions races, and handicaps are more often seen in races of lower level, there are still several handicaps are Grade I or Group 1 races respectively.
For lists of races go to: