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National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing, also known as jump racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including France, Great Britain and Ireland. Jump racing requires horses to jump over fences and ditches.
In the UK, National Hunt racing is divided into two major distinct branches: hurdling and steeplechase, as well as flat races called “bumpers”. Hurdling involves horses jumping over hurdles, while steeplechase involves the horses jumping over a variety of different obstacles that include fences, water jumps or an open ditch. The biggest National Hunt events of the year in the UK are the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The National Hunt season primarily occurs during the winter months when softer ground conditions make jumping safer for horses. The horses are significantly cheaper than sport horses for other equestrian sports, the reason being the majority are geldings and have no breeding value.
Jump Racing primarily takes place in France, Great Britain and Ireland, with some events also taking place in Australia, Canada and the United States. In Ireland, National Hunt racing receives much higher attendances than flat racing, while in Great Britain, it is more balanced.[citation needed]
National Hunt horses are often bred for jumping, while others are former flat horses but they do not have to be Thoroughbreds: many French-bred jumpers are Selle Français or AQPS. Many horses begin their racing careers in amateur point-to-pointing where they compete over steeplechase races of three miles (4.8 km).
Two of the biggest events of the National Hunt calendar are the Cheltenham Festival meeting and the Grand National meeting. The Cheltenham Festival is held at Cheltenham Racecourse over four days in the second week of March. It features multiple grade one races, culminating on Friday in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious Chase races in the world. The 2025 edition of the Cheltenham festival included 14 Grade 1 races in the schedule.The Grand National meeting is held at Aintree over three days every April.[citation needed].
Other important festivals are: the Galway Races – a mixed (NH and flat) meeting in Ireland; Punchestown Festival – the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham Festival; The Tingle Creek at Sandown Park Racecourse; the Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse; the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse; the Welsh National at Chepstow Racecourse; and the Irish National at Fairyhouse Racecourse.
National Hunt racing originated in Ireland, particularly in the southern counties. Early races were mainly two-horse contests known as "pounding races" which became popular in the early 18th century. These involved long trips across country where horses were required to jump whatever obstacles the landscape threw in their way.
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National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing, also known as jump racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including France, Great Britain and Ireland. Jump racing requires horses to jump over fences and ditches.
In the UK, National Hunt racing is divided into two major distinct branches: hurdling and steeplechase, as well as flat races called “bumpers”. Hurdling involves horses jumping over hurdles, while steeplechase involves the horses jumping over a variety of different obstacles that include fences, water jumps or an open ditch. The biggest National Hunt events of the year in the UK are the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The National Hunt season primarily occurs during the winter months when softer ground conditions make jumping safer for horses. The horses are significantly cheaper than sport horses for other equestrian sports, the reason being the majority are geldings and have no breeding value.
Jump Racing primarily takes place in France, Great Britain and Ireland, with some events also taking place in Australia, Canada and the United States. In Ireland, National Hunt racing receives much higher attendances than flat racing, while in Great Britain, it is more balanced.[citation needed]
National Hunt horses are often bred for jumping, while others are former flat horses but they do not have to be Thoroughbreds: many French-bred jumpers are Selle Français or AQPS. Many horses begin their racing careers in amateur point-to-pointing where they compete over steeplechase races of three miles (4.8 km).
Two of the biggest events of the National Hunt calendar are the Cheltenham Festival meeting and the Grand National meeting. The Cheltenham Festival is held at Cheltenham Racecourse over four days in the second week of March. It features multiple grade one races, culminating on Friday in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious Chase races in the world. The 2025 edition of the Cheltenham festival included 14 Grade 1 races in the schedule.The Grand National meeting is held at Aintree over three days every April.[citation needed].
Other important festivals are: the Galway Races – a mixed (NH and flat) meeting in Ireland; Punchestown Festival – the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham Festival; The Tingle Creek at Sandown Park Racecourse; the Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse; the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse; the Welsh National at Chepstow Racecourse; and the Irish National at Fairyhouse Racecourse.
National Hunt racing originated in Ireland, particularly in the southern counties. Early races were mainly two-horse contests known as "pounding races" which became popular in the early 18th century. These involved long trips across country where horses were required to jump whatever obstacles the landscape threw in their way.