4. cal
  6. Current rule
The Orders and Rules of Racing

PART 1 - GENERAL INTRODUCTORY - (F)1 to(F)9

5. Categories of steeple chases, hurdle races and national hunt flat races

5.1 A steeple chase, hurdle race or National Hunt Flat Race is a Pattern Race if, in any particular year

5.1.1 it appears in the list of pattern races in the steeple chase and hurdle race section of the Programme Book published by the Authority, or
5.1.2 in the case of a race run in Ireland, it appears as a pattern race in the Irish Racing Calendar.
Such pattern races are divided into Grades 1, 2 and 3.

5.2 A steeple chase, hurdle race or National Hunt Flat Race is a Listed Race if in any particular year, it is a race which appears as a listed race in the steeple chase and hurdle race section of the Programme Book published by the Authority.
5.3 A steeple chase, hurdle race or National Hunt Flat Race is a Maiden Race if it is confined to Maiden Horses.
5.4 A steeple chase, hurdle race or National Hunt Flat Race is a Novice Race if is confined to Novice Horses.
5.5 A steeple chase is

5.5.1 a Hunters' Steeple Chase if it is a Steeple Chase confined to Amateur Riders and to horses certified by a Master of Hounds to have been hunted,
5.5.2 a Novice Hunters' Steeple Chase if it is a Weight-for-Age Steeple Chase confined to Amateur Riders and to horses which
5.5.2.1 are certified by a Master of Hounds to have been hunted, and
5.5.2.2 in respect of any race run or to be run in 2013, have not won a steeple chase before June 7th, 2012, and
5.5.3 a Beginners' Steeple Chase if it is a steeple chase race for horses which have never won a steeple chase at any Recognised Meeting in any country, apart from a Match or Private Sweepstakes, or a steeple chase at a point-to-point meeting in Great Britain.

5.6 A steeple chase or hurdle race is a Classified Stakes if

5.6.1 it is a Weight-for-Age Steeple Chase or Hurdle Race which is restricted to horses which have been awarded Handicap Ratings at or below a figure specified in the conditions of the race, and
5.6.2 it is not a Maiden Race or Novice Race.

5.7 A hurdle race is a Juvenile Race if it is confined to Juvenile Horses.