The oddschecker team explains the difference between Graded, Listed and Handicap races for new fans to the sport of horse racing.
The Graded system itself is divided into three sections - Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3. Grade 1 races are the highest summit in horse racing, as they feature the best horses competing against one another off level weights unless allowances for gender and weight come into effect.
The level of competition could not be any higher in these events plus some of the biggest prize money is often on the plate as well. The most famous Grade 1 race is the Cheltenham Gold Cup (won in 2022 by A Plus Tard – pictured below), with horses such as Arkle, Dawn Run, Kauto Star, Denman, and Best Mate just a few high-profile names to have won the Festival’s blue riband event.
Grade 2 and Grade 3 events can also attract quality racehorses as well, with Grade 2’s predominantly used as potential stepping stones or trials towards bigger assignments and those building a route towards the highest level.
A perfect couple of examples - such as the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury and Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham (won three times by Paisley Park – pictured below) - are two important races in the season, whilst Grade 2 events can also see a limited range handicappers feature in these events. Weight-for-ages races also feature in this bracket depending on age and previous wins.
Grade 3’s have more handicap races compared to Grade 2’s, offering a bit more diversity for those who are just short of the highest level or are working their way up the ladder. With various Grade 3 handicaps over jumps, a few of them are recognised as being more prestigious than others.
They include the Grand National at Aintree - the biggest handicap, followed by the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival. Between the UK and Ireland, on average, around 150 graded races take place during the National Hunt season each year.
Listed races are a step below graded company but above class 2 and commonly used for horses trying to scale up to graded races or make a return to the course. Examples of Listed races are the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton and Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.
Handicaps can vary between Grade 2, Grade 3, Listed and class 2 to class 5 races, in which you will find horses rated accordingly based on performances and competition. The better the performance the higher the mark they receive. Future Grade 1 winners can be found in handicaps as well.
