What are the five British Classics?

Considered the 'crown jewels' of British flat racing, there are five Classics ran in Britain.

All five races are restricted to three-year-olds only with two restricted to fillies only.

They represent the pinnacle of achievement for racehorses, with winners heralded as the best of their generation.

Competitors usually go on to enjoy careers in breeding industry where they play a pivotal role in defining the future of the thoroughbred.

Which races are British Classics?

2000 Guineas

Ran at Newmarket Racecourse, the 2000 Guineas is the first Classic of the season.

Taking place annually during the first weekend of May, the race is technically open to both sexes but is usually contested by colts only.

Frankel won this race in 2011 and was the sixth race in his sequence of 14 straight wins.

1000 Guineas

Ran one day later than the 2000 Guineas and over the same course and distance, this Classic is restricted to fillies only.

Aidan O'Brien has dominated the race in recent years, training seven winners across the last two decades.

Over £300,000 goes to the winner, making it one of the most valuable prizes of the season.

Epsom Oaks

The second and final Classic restricted to fillies only.

This race takes place on the opening day of the Epsom Derby Festival and is ran at Epsom Downs.

Fillies run over a distance of 1m4f and it is widely regarded as the most important race across the globe for three-year-old fillies.

Epsom Derby

Arguably the most famous of the five, the Epsom Derby has been a cornerstone event in the British sporting calendar for some time.

Regarded as the 'ultimate test of the racehorse', it is almost always contested by colts but is technically open to fillies.

There are a plethora of famous winners including Sea The Stars, Galileo, Mill Reef and Nijinsky.

In 1981, Shergar recorded the greatest winning margin when he went on to score by a mammoth 10-lengths.

St Leger

The fifth and final stop along the Classic trail.

Hosted at Doncaster Racecourse, the St Leger is ran over 1m6f, making it the longest race of the five.

Intended to test the stamina of horses, winning colts can often go on to have a career as a national hunt stallion.

English Triple Crown

Three of the Classics comprise the famous English Triple Crown.

• 2000 Guineas
• Epsom Derby
• St Leger

When are the 2025 British Classics?

• 2000 Guineas (3rd May)
• 1000 Guineas (4th May)
• Epsom Oaks (6th June)
• Epsom Derby (7th June)
• St Leger (13th September)