What Is A ‘Black Type’ Horse Race?

Many customers ask us to explain what ‘Black Type’ horse races are. It is actually very simple. Black type races are either Listed or Group status races.

You will often hear somebody describing a horse as ‘Black Type’. This means that the horse has won (or has been placed in) a Group or Listed encounter. Once the horse has won one of these races, their form (written in either a form book or a sales catalogue) will be printed in bold black ink and in capitals – hence the use of the term ‘Black Type’.

In Europe, the best races on the flat are referred to as Group 1. A horse needs an official rating of at least 115 to enter one of these races (2 year olds must be rated 110 or above).

To enter a Group 2 race, a horse must be rated at 110 (105). For Group 3, it must be rated at 105 (100).

There is no minimum rating for Listed races, although these are considered to be of greater importance than handicaps. The European Pattern Committee regulates all Listed races and the British Horseracing Authority regards any race that appears in the European Pattern Race Book as being Listed.

It is rare for the status of a race to be altered, although it does happen occasionally. For example, the Prince of Wales Stakes, held at Royal Ascot, was a Group 2 race until 2000. It now enjoys Group 1 status.

The rules of betting (and pay outs) do not change, just because a race is ‘Black Type’. It just means that the horses will be of a higher level of ability. The purses of ‘Black Type’ races (the prize-money being chased by the owners) will also be higher. The world’s richest races are all Group 1 (this can be referred to as Grade 1 in some countries, such as the United States).

Keep an eye out for ‘Black Type’ races. They are always exciting to watch and RaceBets often have special promotions running when one is taking place!

RaceBets offers betting markets for more ‘Black Type’ races than any other bookmaker. No other betting site compares, if you enjoy having a punt on the best races taking place all over the world!