What Is A Bumper Race?

I was chatting to one of my friends recently about horse racing, and he said that one of his favorite ones to watch is the bumper race.

I hadn’t heard much about this kind of race before and was quite intrigued by it, so I decided to research it more, and I can’t wait to share what I discovered.

You might be surprised to learn that the bumper race was established in the United Kingdom as far back as 1891, and is the less formal name for what is known in horse racing as the National Hunt Flat race.

But what actually is a bumper race?

A bumper race is essentially a high-speed race for horses who have not previously run on the flat course before. It is similar to a jump race, but without hurdles, and is a great way for inexperienced horses to get used to running on the flat and can be considered a crucial stage in a jump horse’s development.

In this article we’ll discuss the bumper race more, answering what it means, the origins behind the name, which horses can compete in it, the rules of it and how it differs from a jump race.

So, let’s not waste any time and get right into answering these questions!

What does bumper mean in racing?

So, we’ve established that a bumper race is a specific race designed for horses who have never previously ran on a flat course.

But what does this actually mean in racing terms?

Well, bumper racehorses are expected to run a distance of around 13-20 furlongs in one race at high-speed.

Furlongs are imperial measurements representing around 220 yards or 660 feet.

Bumper horses are often horses that are bred to compete in jump races (hurdles), however, no hurdles or obstacles are involved in bumpers and so the horses can often run significantly faster in these events.

Why do jump horses start out in bumper races?

It is common practice for jump horses to start their careers in bumper racing despite the racing conditions being quite distinct (no hurdles or fences in bumpers).

So, why do National Hunt horses or jump racehorses start out in bumper races?

The answer to this question is that bumpers can be used to acclimatize the horses and get them used to running at speed whilst supporting a jockey and heavy saddle.

In this way, horses who aren’t fast enough to compete in other flat events, or who aren’t strong enough to enter jumping events can gain competitive experience and can get used to the flat terrain.

Why is it called a bumper race?

So, you might be wondering where the term ‘bumper’ came from in referring to this type of horse race and where it originated from.

There are several theories as to why a National Hunt Flat race is widely referred to as a bumper race in horse racing.

However, the most plausible explanation is that the name stems from a joke about the fact that it is a race for amateur horses and jockeys, who – as a result of their inexperience – may bump into one-another throughout the race.

This process became considered quite chaotic and less professional in comparison to other race styles, hence the name ‘bumper’ race.

What horses can compete in a bumper race?

As mentioned, a bumper race is exclusively for horses who do not have previous racing experience on the Flat (a level course, or flat terrain, with no obstacles). It can be an excellent way for young or inexperienced horses to practice racing.

Due to the amateur level of competitors in this type of race, the general rule for age requirements is that competing racehorses should be between two and six years old – and generally no older than seven.

This keeps the competition fair and means older, more powerful racehorses cannot be entered into the race with a significant competitive advantage over other opponents.

Horses that are typically bred for jump racing often start off their careers in bumper racing, as it is often considered a steppingstone to hurdle or fence jumping.

What are the rules of a bumper race?

One general rule of bumper racing is that horses should be no older than seven years old and should be no younger than two.

Secondly, bumper horses should have no prior flat racing experience in order to keep an even playing field among competitors.

Bumper horses should also not compete in more than four consecutive bumper races.

How is a bumper race different from a jump race?

While bumper races are considered the building block to a career in jump horse racing, there are a few significant differences between jump races and bumper races.

However, the most notable differences are below:

Firstly, bumpers do not involve hurdles or jumps – therefore younger horses that are bred as jump horses usually take part as less strength is required.

Secondly, bumper races involve less experienced racehorses as bumpers are considered the basic building block stage in jump horses’ careers.

Successful bumper horses tend to graduate from bumper racing to successful careers in jump racing.

In conclusion, bumper racing is a race for amateur racehorses who have very little to no experience with racing on flat courses.

This article has explored what exactly is involved in bumper racing – discovering the distance that should be covered by the horses, and the types of horses that are typically involved in it.

It was found that the term ‘bumper’ originates from a stereotype about the jockeys being inexperienced and literally ‘bumping’ into one another during the races.

It was also mentioned that bumpers are exclusive to horses aged 2-7 years old who have no prior flat racing experience and that the main difference between bumpers and jumps is that bumpers don’t involve hurdles.

I hope this article has been helpful in informing you about what a bumper race is and the meaning behind it!