What is Bumper Races? Bumper Races Explained in 2 minutes

What are bumper races?

A bumper race is a term used in horse racing, and defines a flat race that is under the same rules/jurisdiction of a jump race.

Also known as bumpers, this type of race is for horses who has not run on a flat track before and is used for the horse to gain experience of competitive racing.

The reason bumper races come under the same rules as jump races is because they do not use starting stalls but use an elasticated tape (much like at the Grand National) in order to get the race underway.

Bumper races are also usually run as the last race of the day and is viewed as something of a novice event.

How is Bumper Races used in Sports Betting?

Because bumper races are for horses who need to gain experience of flat races, the betting on bumper races can be quite varied.

However, in order to run in one, flat riding jockeys will take out a jump jockey licence in order to qualify for the race.

There is one big betting event on bumper racing however and that is the Champion Bumper which takes place during the Cheltenham Festival and has earned itself a reputation as big race.

Betting is the same as any other horse race betting with each winner and race winner bets proving the most popular but because a horse participating in a bumper race cannot have competed in a flat race before, it means there is no form guide to go on.

Did you know…

The rumour is that bumper races got their name because in the past only amateur riders were allowed to enter the race and due to the lack of race experience, jockeys would often ‘bump’ into each other thus earning this type of racing its name.

See also

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