Horse racing glossary

A Glossary of Horse Racing Terms · Furlong: A furlong is a unit of distance in horse racing glossary racing, equal to one-eighth of a mile ( yards or Apprentice – A rider who has not ridden a certain number of winners within a specified period of time. Also known as a “bug,” from the asterisk. Apprentice or Conditional races. Handicaps or non-handicaps restricted to particular categories of jockeys who are not yet fully qualified. Apprentice races. Blinkers are used to limit a horse's vision and to reduce the risk of the horse becoming distracted. You will notice a 'b' on a racecard for.

Horse Racing Terminology: A Beginner's Guide to Common Racing and Betting Terms

What is the slowest breed of horse? Known for their immense size and strength rather than their speed, Shires are often considered one of the slowest horse breeds.

What is a lover of horses called? Noun. hippophile (plural hippophiles) A person who loves horses.

What does TS stand for in horse racing? Top Speed

What is a slow horse called? A variation of the canter, seen in western riding, is called a lope, and is generally quite slow, no more than 13–19 kilometres per hour (8–12 mph).

Why do they call it a furlong? The word 'furlong' comes from 'a furrow long', or the distance that could be ploughed by an ox without a rest. A foot was traditionally the length of a man's foot, and 'inch' comes from the Latin word 'uncia', meaning 'one-twelfth'.

Horse Racing Terminology

Some sales companies still use guineas, though most have changed to pounds. Training ground where horses are exercised. Many trainers have private gallops of their own. The national centre for information, advice and practical help with regard to the social impact of gambling. The front section of the starting stalls, which open at the start of a Flat race to release the horses.

Used as another term for starting stalls. A male horse that has been castrated. Most male horses that compete over jumps have been gelded, and a Flat horse may be gelded. Geldings are not allowed to run in some of the top Flat races, such as the Derby, that are important for identifying potential breeding talent.

To have the winner of every race at a race meeting, either as a trainer, jockey, tipster or punter. The highest category of race. The major championship races over jumps, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, are Grade 1. A race where each horse is allotted a different weight to carry, according to the official handicap ratings determined by the BHA Handicappers.

Each horse, once it has run a few times usually three , is allocated an official handicap rating by the BHA, which is used to determine its weight if it runs in a handicap. If a horse does well, its handicap rating will go up; if it performs poorly, its rating will go down. Official responsible for allocating a handicap rating to each horse that has qualified for one, and for allotting the weights to be carried by each horse in a handicap.

Employed by the British Horseracing Authority. The smaller obstacles on a jumps course. Horses usually have a season or two over hurdles before progressing to fences, though some continue to specialise in hurdling and never run over fences, while some horses go straight over fences without trying hurdles first.

Independent Arbitration Betting Service. Horse racing glossary An arbitration service that deals with betting disputes between punters and bookmakers. Betting on the outcome of a race during the race itself, rather than beforehand. This type of betting is particularly popular on the betting exchanges, though it is also offered by many bookmakers.

In-running odds can change rapidly as the race unfolds. A two-year-old horse. Every horse officially turns two on January 1, at the start of the second full calendar year following its birth e. The youngest category of hurdler — juvenile hurdlers are those that turn four years of age on January 1 during the season in which they start hurdling.

The Jackpot is a tote bet that requires the selection of the winners of the first six races at a selected meeting. The minimum bet is 50p. Term used to refer to when one jockey is replaced by another on a horse he usually rides or for which he has already been booked to ride in a particular race. If two horses have the shortest odds in the betting, they are described as joint-favourites; if three or more horses have the shortest odds, they are co-favourites.

Racecourse official responsible for declaring the finishing order of a race and the distances between the runners. A unit of measurement for the distances between each horse at the finish of a race; the measurement of a horse from head to tail. When all horses are carrying the same weight. Major championship races, such as the Derby on the Flat or the Cheltenham Gold Cup over jumps, are run at level weights.

There are still some allowances for age and sex e. A surcharge collected from bookmakers, based on their turnover or gross profits, which goes towards prize-money, improvements to racecourses, and other areas such as scientific research. The body responsible for this is the Levy Board.

A horse that has yet to win a race; maiden races are restricted to such horses, though sometimes the conditions of the race allow previous winners e. For maidens aged three or above that have run at least four times and have a maximum rating of A race for two-year-olds by stallions that had one or more yearling sold in the previous year with a median price not exceeding a specified figure.

On the Flat, races beyond a mile and up to 1m6f are the middle distances. A middle-distance horse is one that runs mainly over such distances or is regarded as being suitable for those distances. A horse that is prevented by the jockey from running to its full ability. A race for novices sold at public auction as yearlings or two-year-olds for a price not exceeding a specified figure.

Names cannot be longer than 18 characters including spaces and must not be the same, in spelling or pronunciation, as a name already registered. In theory, a betting book can be fairly weighted between bookmaker and punter. However, to ensure a profit margin, a bookmaker will alter the odds in their favour. Overround is a means of expressing to what extent the odds are in favour of the bookmaker.

When a horse carries more than its allocated weight, due to the jockey being unable to make that weight. This is usually a disadvantage, though sometimes the trainer of a horse may decide to accept overweight in order to have one of the best jockeys on board his horse. Betting odds where the potential winnings are higher than the stake. The numerator is larger than the denominator e.

Betting odds where the stake is higher than the potential winnings if the bet is successful. The denominator is larger than the numerator e. Describes a horse running comfortably, still having a bite on the bit. When handicap races are framed, there is a maximum and minimum weight that horses can carry.

A horse that is entered in a race with the intention that it will set the pace for another horse with the same connections. Connections of the horses gather in the centre of the paddock before each race and jockeys mount before taking the horses out onto the racecourse.

Before major races, the horses often line up in racecard order numerical order and led in front of the grandstands to allow racegoers to see them. At the end of the parade the horses are released to canter down to the start. Multiple bet consisting of seven bets involving three selections in different events.

A single on each selection, plus three doubles and one treble. One successful selection guarantees a return. The grading system for the most important races, introduced on the Flat in and later for jumps racing. The top races on the Flat are Group 1, followed by Group 2 and Group 3 the next highest category is Listed, which, while not technically part of the Pattern, combine with Group races under the heading of black-type races.

Additional weight carried by a horse on account of previous wins. Horsename ex6. In a close race, where the placings cannot be determined easily, the result is determined by the judge by examination of a photograph taken by a camera on the finishing line. When a horse is unsettled during the early part of a race and uses too much energy, fighting the jockey by pulling against the bridle.

White plastic rails are used to mark out the track on a racecourse. The stands rails are those nearest the grandstand and the far rails are those on the opposite side of the track from the grandstand. What mlb teams are in the playoffs This refers to the fence separating the Members area on a racecourse from the Tattersalls area.

Bookmakers are not allowed in the Members area, but some bookmakers are allowed to set up their pitches on the Tattersalls side of the rails, allowing them to accept bets. Rails bookmakers are the top end of the racecourse betting market, usually dealing with credit customers.

A measure of the ability of a horse on a scale starting at zero and going into three figures. Flat Jump racing use different scales; the highest-rated Flat horse is usually in the s and the top-rated jumper in the s. Tattersalls Rule 4 c : One of the most commonly invoked betting rules, dealing with deductions from winning bets in the event of any withdrawn runner s from a race.

The rule applies to winning bets struck at prices e. The rate of deductions is in proportion to the odds of the non-runner s at the time of the withdrawal. A horse that specialises in running over the shortest distances five and six furlongs on the Flat. Member of a team employed to load horses into the stalls for Flat races and to move the stalls to the correct position for the start of each race.

Often abbreviated to SP. The starting prices are the final odds prevailing at the time the race starts and are used to determine the payout to winning punters, unless a punter took a specified price at the time of placing the bet. A race over fences, open ditches and water jumps, run over distances from two miles up to four and a half miles.

One of the officials in overall charge of a race meeting, including disciplinary procedures. The stewards can hold inquiries into possible infringements of the rules of racing, or hear objections to the race result from beaten jockeys. Usually there are three stewards at each race meeting, assisted by a stipendiary steward.

The stewards are appointed by the racecourse, subject to approval by the BHA, and are often prominent local figures much like magistrates. A hearing held by the stewards into a race to determine whether the rules of racing have been broken. On a racecourse, where stewards hold inquiries. Also known as a Stipe. Unlike raceday stewards, Stipes are professionals employed by the BHA and one is sent to each meeting to assist the stewards and advise on the rules of racing.

Major races such as the Derby, which have an early initial entry date and several forfeit stages, often allow additional entries to be made in the week leading up to the race, subject to a substantial fee. A horse entered at this stage is known as a supplementary entry and the fee payable is known as the supplementary entry fee.

Supplementary entries mean that a major race can have the best possible field, as a horse may not be deemed worthy of a Derby entry as a yearling possibly on account of its pedigree or because the owner is not among the echelon of the super-rich but then shows unexpected ability once its racing career has started. Low-class race in which the winner is offered at auction afterwards; other horses in the race may be claimed for a fixed sum.

The racecourse receives a percentage of the selling price of each horse. A horse that is entered in a selling plate because it is not expected to win in any higher grade, or because it can do well against moderate opposition, which may result in a betting coup.

The horse has to be re-shod by a farrier, often delaying the start of the race. The enclosure next in status to Members. Those choosing this enclosure have access to the main betting area and the paddock. Horse racing glossary The sign language used by bookmakers to communicate changes in betting odds on the racecourse. Tic-tacs wear white gloves and signal the odds using their hands and arms.

Government-owned pool betting company, established in , principally offering tote odds but also fixed odds. Contributes a large sum to racing each year. Full name: the Horserace Totalisator Board. Introduced in Britain in to offer pool betting on racecourses. Odds fluctuate according to the pattern of betting and betting ceases when the race starts. The person responsible for looking after a horse and preparing it to race.

A trainer must hold a license or permit to be entitled to train. A three-leg accumulator. All three selections must be successful to get a return; the winnings from the first selection automatically go on to the second and then on to the third. Another term for the distance of a race.

Winning all three races is a rare feat, last achieved by a colt Nijinsky in and by a filly Oh So Sharp in Multiple bet consisting of four bets involving three selections in different events. The bet includes three doubles and one treble. A minimum of two selections must be successful to get a return. Two-year-old horses are also known as juveniles, and this is the first age at which horses are allowed to compete on the Flat the youngest racing age over jumps is three years old.

The moment a race is about to begin. Similar to blinkers, but with a slit in each eye cup to allow some lateral vision. Each jockey wearing his racing kit and carrying his saddle must stand on official weighing scales before and after the race, so that the Clerk of the Scales can check that the jockey is carrying the correct weight allotted to his horse. If a jockey is above the allotted weight before the race, his horse can still compete but must carry overweight.

This confirms the race result and at this point bookmakers will pay out on successful bets. A cloth with pockets for lead weights placed under the saddle to ensure that a horse carries its allotted weight. A graduated scale that shows how horses of differing ages progress month by month during the racing season, the differences being expressed in terms of weight.

This allows horses of differing ages to compete against each other on a fair basis, based on their age and maturity, in what are known as weight-for-age races. Lead placed in a weight cloth. A single bet on a horse to finish first. Win only markets signify that no each-way betting is available.

Wind operations are routine surgical procedures which are designed to assist a horse with its breathing. A stable employee, not necessarily a licensed jockey, who rides horses in training on the gallops. A race involving only one horse. The horse and its jockey must past the winning post to be declared the winner.

Multiple bet consisting of 11 bets six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold on four selections in different events. At least two selections must be successful to get a return. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

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Jargon Buster. Table of Contents. A Abandoned A race meeting which has been cancelled due to bad weather. Age All thoroughbreds have their birthdays on 1 January. Allowance Inexperienced riders apprentices, conditionals and amateurs are allowed a weight concession to compensate for their lack of experience against their colleagues.

Amateur A non-professional jockey who does not receive a fee for riding in a race, denoted on the racecard by the prefix Mr, Mrs, Miss, Captain etc. Antepost For many major races you can place your bet well in advance of the day. Apprentice A trainee Flat jockey connected to the stable of a licensed trainer. Auction maiden For two-year-olds sold at public auction as yearlings or two-year-olds, for a price not exceeding a specified figure.

B Breeze-Up Type of auction, usually for two-year-olds, at which the horses for sale run for a short distance to allow prospective buyers to assess them. Bridle, won on the Won easily, without being hard ridden or challenged by other horses. Broke down When a horse sustains an injury during a race.

Broodmare Mare kept at stud for breeding, and not usually raced, although likely to have done so when younger. Brought down A horse that falls during a race when impeded by another horse. Bumper A Flat race run under Jump Rules, used to educate young prospective jumps horses before they tackle hurdles or fences.

Bumping Interference during a race where one horse collides with another. Bismarck Betting term used to describe a favourite that bookmakers expect to lose and are therefore happy to lay. Black horse colour The horse is a uniform black colour except possible white markings on its head and lower legs. Blanket Finish When the horses finish so close to the winning line you could theoretically put a single blanket across them.

Bleeder A horse that tends to break blood vessels during a race. Blinds Another name for blinkers. Blinkers A form of headgear worn by the horse, consisting of a hood with cups around the eyes. Bloodstock sales The sale of horses at auction. Board prices The generally available odds displayed on the boards of on-course bookmakers.

Book A record of the bets made on a particular race or other sporting event. Also known as a bookie. Bottle The tic-tac bookmaking term for Boxed in A horse that cannot overtake another horse because it is blocked by other horses. Break a horse in Teaching a young horse to accept riding equipment and carry a rider.

Breather Restraining or easing off on a horse for a short distance to permit him to fill his lungs during the race. Breeder Someone that breeds racehorses. They own the dam mother at time foal is born. Breeze Galloping a horse at a moderate speed. Banker The horse expected to win — usually a short priced favourite.

Betting market A market is created, according to demand, by the prices offered for each runner by bookmakers. Betting Ring The main area at a racecourse where the bookmakers operate. Colt Ungelded entire male horse below five years of age. Combination bet accumulator A bet involving more than one horse with the winnings from each selection going on to the next horse.

Conditional jockey A Jump jockey, under 26, who receives a weight allowance for inexperience until he has ridden a certain number of winners. Conditions race A race in which horses are allotted extra weight according to factors including sex, age, whether they are a previous winner etc. Connections People associated with a horse, such as the owner and trainer.

Course specialist A horse that is proven at a track in previous races. Covered up When a jockey keeps a horse behind other runners to prevent it running too freely in the early stages of a race. Covering The mating of horses. Cut in the ground A description of the ground condition where the racing surface has been softened by rain.

Cockle The tic-tac bookmaking term for Co-favourite A horse that shares its position at the head of the betting market with at least two other horses. Carpet The tic-tac bookmaking term for Double carpet is Chaser A horse that takes part in steeplechase races. Chestnut Horse colour varying from light, washy yellow to dark liver orange, and in between are red, gold and liver shades.

Chute Extension of racecourse, usually at the top of the home straight, to allow straight run from the start. Claimer jockey An apprentice Flat jockey. Classic Group of historic major races for three-year-olds in the Flat season. Clerk of the Course Racecourse official responsible for the overall racecourse management, including the preparation of the racing surface.

Clerk of the Scales Racecourse official whose chief duty is to weigh the riders before and after a race to ensure proper weight is carried. Distance The margin by which a horse has won or has been beaten e. Double Consists of one bet involving two selections in different events. Double carpet The tic-tac bookmaking term for Drifter A horse whose odds get bigger just before the race due to a lack of support in the market.

Dual forecast A bet where the aim is to select both the winner and runner-up in a race in either order. Damsire broodmare The sire of a broodmare; in human terms, the maternal grandfather of a horse. Dark horse A horse regarded as having potential but whose full capabilities have not been revealed.

Dead-heat A tie between two or more horses for first place, or for one of the other finishing positions. Decimal odds Used on the Tote and betting exchanges, instead of fractional odds. Declared runner A horse confirmed to start in a race at the final declarations stage.

Deductions When a horse is scratched from a race after the betting market has already opened, deductions are taken out of the win and place bets at a rate in proportion to the odds of the scratched horse. E Each-way A bet where half the total stake is for the selection to win and half is for the selection to be placed usually in the first three, but in big handicaps the places may extend to fourth or fifth.

Entire horse An ungelded horse. F Fixed-odds betting Staking a set amount to win a set amount by multiplying the stake by the odds. Fixture The race meeting Flat racing Racing without jumps. Foal A horse from birth to January 1 of the following year when it becomes a yearling. Forecast A bet where the aim is to select both the winner and runner-up in a race.

Front-runner A horse whose running style is to attempt to get on or near the lead at the start of the race and stay there as long as possible. Furlong yards one eighth of a mile. Fancied When a horse is expected to win or at least to be involved in the finish. Favourite The horse with the shortest odds in the race.

Field The number of horses in a race or, in betting, all of the horses in a race except the favourite. Filly Female horse four-years-old or younger. Gallop Top gait for a horse — the speed they race at. Overlay: A horse whose odds are higher than its actual chance of winning, as determined by the player.

Overlays are good, underlays are bad. Parimutuels : French system of wagering where winning bettors get all the money wagered by the losers, after a deduction of a percentage by the track Take Out. Pick 3 or 4, 5, 6, etc. Rate: To restrain a horse early on in the race in order to conserve energy for the later stages.

Shadow roll: A roll of cloth placed across a horse's nose in order to block its vision of the ground and prevent it from jumping shadows. Shake up: Urging by the jockey, either with his hands or the whip, to make the horse run faster. Stewards: Three person panel that determines whether or not any rules violations occurred during the race. Superfecta : A wager in which the player attempts to select the order of the first four finishers in a race.

Due to the difficulty of this wager, a winning superfecta wager generally pays out at high odds. Trip: The course followed by a horse and rider during the running of a race and describes the "trouble" encountered. A horse that had a "good trip" did not encounter any unusual difficulty. A "bad trip" might involve racing wide, or being boxed in by other horses.

Under wraps: A horse in which the rider is holding it back and intentionally keeping it from running at top speed. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

Filed under:. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Across the board: A bet on one horse to win, place, and show. Break Maiden: When a horse or rider wins for the first time. Broodmare: A female thoroughbred that is used for breeding. Bug Boy: An apprentice jockey Bull Ring: A small track where the oval is generally less than one mile and, thus, has very tight turns.

Colt: A male horse. Condition: To train a horse Conditions: The circumstances under which a race will be run, such as: surface, distance, purse, and eligibilities. Dam: The mother of a horse. Derby: A stakes race for three year old horses. Distance of ground: A route race or a race run around two turns.

Eased: A horse that is pulled up or stopped prior to finishing the race Exacta: A bet in which the player attempts to pick the 1 st and 2 nd place horse on one ticket. Fast Track: Rating of a dirt track that is dry and hard. Filly: A female horse Fire Sale: A drastic reduction in the claiming price of a horse.

Foal: A newborn horse. Front Runner: A horse that wants to run on or near the lead. Furlong: One eighth of a mile. Gelding: A castrated male horse. Handle: Total sum bet on a race or during an entire day. In hand: A horse running under restraint. Irons: Stirrups Jockey agent: An individual that obtains rides for a jockey. Juvenile: A two year old horse.

Mare: A female horse aged five or older. Miler: A horse that prefers to race at or near a mile in distance. Muddy Track: A dirt track that is soft, wet and holding. Oaks: A stakes race for three year old fillies. Objections: A claim of foul by a jockey following the race.

Off the board: A horse that fails to finish in the money. Pace : The speed of the leaders at each stage of the race. Post: Starting gate. Quarter crack: An injury to the hoof of a horse. Quarter pole: Post on the infield rail that indicates two furlongs to the finish line. Rank: A horse that refuses to be rated early on in the race.

Route: Generally a race that is run around two turns. School: To train a horse, generally in the starting gate or the paddock. Scratch: To withdraw a horse from a race. Shipper: A horse that has traveled from one track to another to run in a race. Shut out: When a player fails to make his bet at the window prior to the gate opening.

Sloppy track: A track that is wet, covered with puddles, but not yet "muddy". Spit the bit: When a tired horse stops running hard.