Every year in France, more than 18,000 horse races are run, i.e. an average of 50 races per day on which you can bet. But are all these races the same?
We will see that, no, not all races are equal and there are several different categories to know better what to play while knowing the difficulties of analysis.
Table of Contents
- Race categories with the best horses (5%)
- Race categories with medium-sized horses (70%)
- Categories of races with the least good horses (25%)
- Conclusion
Race categories with the best horses (5%)
Group races
Among the races for the best horses, there are two different categories:
- Group races: these are the races that bring together the very best talents and the richest horses because they are the most gifted. There are 3 distinct group races, which are Group I, Group II and Group III.
Group I races, where the elite horses are, are also called classics. There are 56 Group I races per year (28 trotting and 28 gallop races), i.e. 0.31% of all races.
Group II and III races, also known as semi-classics, are also run by top horses but the entry requirements are less restrictive than for Group I.
The main races
- Listed races: these are races that are qualifiers for the group races. They are also called main.
These categories of races are international events where horses from different countries compete.
All the results of the 2023 horse races are available online: click here.
Difficulty of analysis
As far as deciphering these races is concerned, we have horses of sure value in terms of their potential, but races with very homogeneous levels where the details make the difference. The great difficulty concerns the analysis of foreign horses because we don't know well the behaviour they can have on our racecourses because of the fatigue of the journey and the nature of the tracks which is different in certain countries and the level is difficult to compare with French horses because we don't know them well.
However, there are often favourites at the finish of these races and we recommend you read our Top 3 popular turf betting types to help you choose the right bet.
Race categories with medium-sized horses (70%)
Series and conditional races
Medium-sized horses are found in the intermediate races, where there are also several categories.
- So-called races series pour le trot et with conditions for the gallop.
These races are categorised by letters from A to F, with A being the best level of race and F being the worst level of race among the intermediate races.
Handicap and hindsight races
- The races with handicap for gallop and with hindsight for the trot.
In these races, the best horses have a weight disadvantage for the flat or a distance disadvantage for the trot, to balance the "theoretical" chances of each starter.
These races are often very complicated to analyse as theoretical fairness parameters disrupt the finishes which are often made up of outsiders or neglected horses.
Criteriums
- Criteriums are races reserved for good horses according to their age (2 to 5 years old) or their ability (sprinters, etc.). Trotting criteriums have a better value and reputation than galloping criteriums.
These races are quite complicated to analyse on the whole as there are all types of horses but also races reserved for amateur or apprentice jockeys or drivers and this complicates the analysis, even if the favourites have the upper hand in the finishes.
Categories of races with the least good horses (25%)
In this last family of races, we find the less good horses, which can be distinguished in 2 categories.
Series and conditional races
- So-called races series pour le trot et with conditions for the gallop.
These races are categorised by letters from G to H. These races are the continuation of the intermediate series races with letters from A to F.
Claiming races
- The claiming races These are races in which horses are put up for sale by secret ballot at the end. The horses that make up this type of race are either horses that are no longer performing, horses that are returning from injury, or strategic choices by trainers and owners.
These races are difficult to analyse because the horses have little guarantee of winning and the finishes are often surprising. Indeed, all these horses, despite being in the lower ranks, can win the race. They are often difficult to find, but also very profitable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to know that races have a hierarchical classification and that the higher you go in the hierarchy of categories, the more the favourites will be present at the finish line with low winnings and the more you play in medium or low categories, the more interesting the winnings ratios will be. This is why it is important to educate yourself, to inform yourself and to specialise in order to choose your races.
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