We all have at least a passing familiarity with thoroughbred racing, since the three largest events in thoroughbred racing are televised every year. These three events are known as the Thoroughbred Triple Crown and are comprised of the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness.

All three of the Triple Crown races are run on a flat dirt track. The horses tend to pace themselves through most of the race, saving a surge of power and speed for the finish. There have also been cases of horses with so much speed that they win the race from start to finish.

What many spectators to these races do not realize is that this is only one type of Thoroughbred horse racing that is available and while these races are the most popular Thoroughbred horse races, there are other forms of Thoroughbred horseracing that are popular as well.

Another variation of Thoroughbred horseracing that is popular is the turf races. What makes these races different from the other types of Thoroughbred races is that the races are run over a grass surface instead of a dirt surface and all of the other aspects of the races are the same.

Turf courses for thoroughbred horse racing are just as long as the courses used for other race events. The difference is the turf; as well as the terms which are used in the sport. The difference is chiefly in the words used to describe the condition of the track used for the race. For example, in turf racing, “firm” is used where in dirt track racing, “fast” would be used instead.

Thoroughbreds can also be run in races that require the horse to jump several fences during the course of the race. These Thoroughbred horse races are commonly referred to as steeplechases and provide an extra challenge to both the horse and the rider during the race.

On a flat race course, speed is the primary factor which is needed. Steeplechases, by contrast require the horse to have a great deal of stamina and the jockey to have some skills ? the jockey must know the right time to tell the horse to jump in order to clear the fences. The number of jumps which will be needed is dependent on the length of the race course in this variation on Thoroughbred horse racing.