Different Types of Tracks: Dirt, Turf, and Synthetic Surfaces

Horse racing is a truly global sport, with action taking place on a variety of surfaces. While traditional racing on turf is the most recognisable, racing also takes place on dirt tracks and on various synthetic surfaces – commonly known as all-weather tracks. Below, we will learn more about the types of tracks in global horse racing.

Dirt Tracks

Dirt tracks are most common in the United States, as well as in the Middle East and South America, and are not used in Britain or Ireland currently.

A dirt track consists of sand, silt, and clay combined to form a racing surface. There are multiple layers underneath the racing surface, including a dense-graded aggregate base, drainage stone, porous asphalt, and limestone screenings. The top layer, often known as the cushion, is made up of sand, silt and clay and ensures horses have an even and consistent surface to run over.

As with a turf track, there is a grading system for a dirt race track to indicate how it will ride based on its current condition and with consideration for weather. This ranges from Fast to heavy.

Turf Tracks

Turf tracks are most common globally, the traditional surface on which the sport of horse was founded.

Racing on a turf race track – or grass – takes place commonly across Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe, Asia, America, South Africa and Australia. Racing on this surface also allows these jurisdictions to converge for major global racing events like Royal Ascot, the Breeders' Cup or the Melbourne Cup – where the best horses from around the world take each other on.

Turf racing sees horses racing on the natural surface, and ground conditions can vary from firm-heavy, depending on weather conditions.

Synthetic Tracks

Completing the different types of track surfaces is the synthetic race track, often referred to as the all-weather in Britain and Ireland. Synthetic race courses are also used widely in America, South America, Australia, mainland Europe, and the Middle East.

There are different types of synthetic tracks, each with varying components. These include. Tapeta, Polytrack, Fibresand and Visco-Ride.

Synthetic racing surfaces are made up of sand, synthetic fibres, elastic fibres including carpet & spandex, rubber and asphalt.

There are subtle differences in the different types of tracks that are known as all-weather. These surfaces typically ride under 'standard' conditions, though sometimes they are referred to as standard-to-slow or slow.

While they have become known in Britain and Ireland as 'all-weather' surfaces, this moniker isn't strictly true as they are prone to freezing in the depths of winter.

Impact of Weather on Track Surfaces

Weather impacts all types of race tracks to some degree. Turf tracks are most susceptible, with ground conditions constantly monitored and largely defined by the weather. This can lead to the surface being firm or good-to-firm in summer months or heavy/soft when rain is consistently falling and getting into the turf.

On a dirt track, conditions can range from Fast to Heavy, depending on the weather, with Sloppy, Muddy and Slow conditions in between. These conditions vary depending on how much moisture has been able to seep into the racing surface.

All-weather courses are largely unaffected by 'going conditions', with these surfaces typically riding to 'standard'. This sometimes changes to 'standard-to-slow' when the track is riding a bit tougher, but the variances are not quite like turf or dirt racing. Generally, racing on synthetic surfaces is only stopped for a frozen track when conditions are well below zero.

How is Track Surface Consistency and Maintenance Ensured?

Good track maintenance provides a safe and fair race track for horses and jockeys alike. The goal of any maintenance program is to ensure that the surface is consistent, safe, and fair.

On dirt/synthetic horse race track surfaces, the chain harrow breaks up dirt and aerates the soil between races and on a daily basis. This is pulled by a tractor across the racetrack and a 'float' will typically pass over the surface to smooth and seal it afterwards and leave it optimal for racing.

Track Surface and Horse Safety

The safety of the participants, both equine and human, is central to the existence of horse racing as a sport. All racetracks – dirt, synthetic and turf – are presented for racing purposes, with the safety of horses and riders paramount.

Racing stewards typically walk the tracks before a race meeting, while jockeys are often spotted walking the track before racing to assess it. The views of jockeys are often to the fore when there is any doubt about a racetrack's suitability for racing, for example, in poor weather conditions.