| There is often much confusion as to what exactly are | | | | the second leg of the Fillies Triple Crown and is one of |
| English Classic races and what are simply Group One | | | | the most valuable fillies only races in the world. This |
| races. The first aspect to remember is that there are | | | | year it will be run on June 4th. |
| five English Classic races and they are all carry Group | | | | The Epsom Derby |
| One status, but due to the history of these races they | | | | The Derby is probably the most famous and |
| carry a much higher prestige and status in the Racing | | | | prestigious race of the five English Classics and is |
| world. The second point is that they are only open to | | | | renowned the World over. Although it is open to fillies |
| three year old thoroughbred horses. The Five Classics | | | | as well as colts, it is rare for them to be entered, with |
| are: | | | | the Fillies usually opting for the Epsom Oaks. Like the |
| 2000 Guineas | | | | Oaks, it is run at Epsom Downs race course over a 1 |
| This is the opening Classic of the season and it is open | | | | mile 4 furlongs and forms the second leg of the colts |
| to three year old colts and fillies. It is raced over the | | | | triple crown. The race will take place this year on June |
| famous Rowley Mile at Newmarket and is a big test | | | | 5th. |
| of speed, stamina and courage over an undulating | | | | St Leger |
| straight course. Although it is open to fillies they very | | | | The fifth and final Classic race of the season is the St |
| rarely run, they are normally entered for the 1000 | | | | Leger which is open to three year old colts and fillies |
| Guineas (See below). For the colts it is also the first leg | | | | and is raced at Doncaster race course over the |
| of the triple-crown; which is made up from the 2000 | | | | longer distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs. It is a big test of |
| Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger. This | | | | stamina and often its winners stay in training for the |
| year the race will be run on 2nd May, which is the | | | | following year. In some respects the St Leger has lost |
| opening day of the Guineas Festival. | | | | some of its importance, due mainly to its distance. The |
| 1000 Guineas | | | | last colt to have won the Triple Crown was the great |
| The second Classic of the season, which is open to 3 | | | | Nijinsky in 1970 and the last filly to have won the fillies |
| year old thoroughbred fillies only and is also raced over | | | | version was Oh So Sharp in 1985. The St Leger takes |
| Newmarket's Rowley Mile. The race also forms the | | | | place on 12th September. |
| first leg of the Fillies triple-crown, which can be | | | | The importance and prestige of the five classic races |
| completed by winning this race, the Epsom Oaks and | | | | is underpinned by not only the prize money available to |
| the St Leger. It is raced on the second day of the | | | | the winner of each races, all of which are well in to six |
| Guineas Festival, which this year will be 3rd May. | | | | figures (the prize money available for the Epsom |
| The Epsom Oaks | | | | Derby is £1.25 million) but also by the potential |
| The third Classic is the Epsom Oaks, which like the | | | | breeding values of the winning horses. Any horse that |
| 1000 Guineas is only open to 3 year old fillies. However | | | | wins any of the classics will automatically increase in |
| this is raced on the Epsom Downs race course over a | | | | value at stud in the hope that they pass their winning |
| distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs in length. The Oaks forms | | | | genes on to future progeny. |