Within the majority of the pedigrees you will see many races mentioned. We have put together an explanation of what they are and these races all still take place to this day.

THE DERBY STAKES (The Derby)
– Run annually over one and a half miles, on Epsom Downs on the nearest Wednesday to June 1st.
– This race is for three-year-olds, colts and fillies.
– The race was first run in 1780.

ST. LEGER
– Held annually in September on the Town Moor at Doncaster (Yorkshire), established in 1778.
– Until 1813 the St. Leger was run over a two-mile course, then reduced to its present
distance of about one mile six furlongs 132 yards for three-year-old colts and fillies.

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS (2,000 Gns)
– This race is run at Newmarket First Spring Meeting and is open to three-year-old colts and fillies.
– The distance is one mile. Established in 1809.

THE TRIPLE CROWN
A phrase used to describe the winner of the ‘classic races’, The Derby, St Leger and The Two Thousand Guineas (2000 Gns) within the same year. Examples are:-
1853 West Australian (In the pedigree of Rockaway and many more)
1899 Flying Fox (In the pedigree of Blue Birdie and many more)
1917 Gay Crusader (In the pedigree of Trappeur II and many more)
1918 Gainsborough (In the pedigree of Fashionable and many more)

ASCOT GOLD CUP (Ascot)
– First run in 1807 over a course of two and a half miles at the Royal Ascot Meeting in June.
– The original cup was stolen before the race in 1907 and never found.
– There was no race from 1915-1918 inclusive and no race in 1940. In 1941, 42. 43 and 44 it was run at Newmarket.

ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS (1,000 Gns)
– Established in 1809, this race is run at Newmarket First Spring Meeting, open only to three-year-old-fillies.
– The distance is one mile.

OAKS
– The Oaks first ran in 1779, it was the leading event of the season for three-year-old fillies at the Epsom Meeting.
– The distance is a mile and a half.
– The Oaks is one year older than the Derby.