There are several different types of horse racing. There is thoroughbred horse racing which is split into flat racing and steeplechase racing otherwise known as national hunt. Harness Racing and Quarter Horse Racing. The different types have been popularised in different parts of the world. Flat Racing is popular throughout the world. Steeplechases or National Hunt races are popular in Britain, Ireland and France. Harness racing is popular in the United States, Australasia and Continental Europe and Quarter Horse racing is only found in the United States.

Races can be run on different types of tracks and different distances, all will be explained in the next few pages. First we'll deal with flat racing.