The Flat is the glamorous half of horse racing. | FROM HORSES TO COURSES |
The season stretches across the summer months, ensuring better weather than National Hunt, and the prize money is significantly better on the level than over the obstacles.
While National Hunt is more parochial, Flat racing is a global sport with prestigious meetings held across Europe as well as in the US, Australia, the Middle East and the Far East.
Owning jumping horses is often a hobby for those involved.
For many of the major players on the Flat scene, it is a business - and big business at that.
Millions of pounds can change hands for yearlings and breeding is all-important.
The advent of all-weather tracks means that Flat racing takes place all year round in Britain but traditional Flat racing is run on turf and the season lasts from March to November.
And its major fixtures, such as the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood are not just top-class race meetings but social events in themselves.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
