What is a Steeplechase in Horse Racing?

The steeplechase is a type of horse race contested under the Rules of racing where the horse jumps fences. It differs from hurdle races in the size and variety of obstacles to clear on the way round the course.

Often shortened to just chase, the fences must be a minimum of four feet six inches tall. Steeplechasers encounter three different types of obstacles in a standard race: plain fences, a water jump and open ditches. The latter requires more accurate jumping.

As per the Rules of steeplechase events, horses must jump fences between the wings of each obstacle. If jockeys fall off or become unseated, they can no longer remount in any circumstances. Horses must complete the course in one go or do not finish.

Some of the most iconic events in the National Hunt code of horse racing in the British Isles are chases. Think the Cheltenham Gold Cup or famous Grand National fences feature among annual events. Those responsible for organized racing have in recent years taken more steps to ensure equine safety for this sphere of the sport.

Why is it Called Steeplechase?

The origins of chasing take us back to Ireland in the 18th century. Horses and their riders literally used to race from church steeple to church steeple in different villages across the countryside in between them, because these were easily recognisable and visible landmarks. You can see where the name comes from.

Early steeplechasing events more resembled the Cross Country seen in Three-Day Eventing today. Moving into the 19th century, you find records of the first chase on a prepared track with something resembling modern fences. Such events were long-distance races of at least four miles, although some Cross Country action had twice that distance.

Courses That Have a Steeplechase Race in the British Isles

With the return of jumps racing to Royal Windsor Racecourse before the end of 2024, there are almost 35 tracks in England where you can watch steeplechasing. Wales and Scotland boast fewer with just seven venues between them.

Across the Irish Sea, more than 20 racecourses north and south of the border hold chase races. See the lists by nation below for a track near you:

Different Types of Steeplechase in Horse Racing

As with any other horse races, there are different types of chase. Some may be age or gender restricted. Many are handicap races, some are for horses inexperienced in the discipline or yet to win in this sphere.

Here at RacingTipster, we give horse racing tips on plenty of races in the UK and Ireland. Each main type of chase is worth looking at in more detail.

Conditions Chases

The weight carried by competing horses here is determined by the terms of the race. Penalty structures apply if they won a race within a set timeframe or of a certain standard previously. Only steeplechase horses who meet certain conditions can enter, hence the name. The tables below contains famous examples:

Novice Chase

Until a horse wins a race over fences, they are a novice and retain that status for the rest of the current season. This largely limits novice chases to inexperienced runners in the sphere. There are graded novice steeplechase events throughout the season, which you can see for each period of time:

Handicap Chase

All handicap steeplechase runners have weights allotted to them based on the official ratings with BHA or IHRB handicappers. The horse with the highest of these has topweight.

Most valuable handicap chases in the UK are Premier Handicaps now, although a few still retain Grade 2 status as limited handicaps. In Ireland, the best are Grade 3s. Check out notable races month by month:

Cross Country Chase

With Cross Country races, the horse jump a variety of obstacles of different sizes. Unlike ordinary chases, there are banks, hedges and even walls that the runners must cross.

Only Cheltenham and Punchestown have Cross Country horse races under Rules. There are three such races at the former venue in November, December and during the Cheltenham Festival.

Whereas all of the Cheltenham races on the Cross Country course are now handicaps, Punchestown takes a different approach. The Risk Of Thunder Chase in November is a conditions race.

Similar comments apply to the P.P. Hogan Memorial held in February. Both those events are three-mile contests. During the Punchestown Festival, there is the long-distance horse race further than any other in Ireland over the banks, the La Touche Cup, over more than four miles.

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