Glossary Horse Racing Terms

You can be forgiven for thinking Horse Racing fans are speaking their own language sometimes, with plenty of racing-specific terms that might not be easy to understand if you’re new to the sport. To make things easier for you, we’ve created a useful glossary of terms to explain horse racing jargon. 

A

Abandoned

When a race meeting gets cancelled, usually due to poor weather conditions. 

Accumulator

A type of bet that involves four or more selections. All selections need to win (or place if you do an each-way accumulator) in order for you to be successful. 

Age

All racehorses share the same birthday – 1st January. So even if the horse is born in April, the horse’s official birthday will still be on New Year’s Day. 

Allowance

A weight concession given to inexperienced jockeys to compensate for their lack of racing experience. This is given to apprentices, conditionals and amateur jockeys, and usually is 3lb, 5lb or 7lb. The allowance decreases as the jockey rides more winners.

All-Weather

This refers to an artificial racing surface. There are three different types of surface – Fibresand, Polytrack and Tapeta. 

Amateur Jockey

A jockey that isn’t yet professional and does not receive a fee for riding in a race. They usually receive a weight allowance when racing against professional jockeys. 

Ante-Post

The ability to bet on future races, usually available for the bigger races, such as the Grand National or the Epsom Derby. Ante-post betting is usually available on all the big Festivals too, such as Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot. The odds are usually greater on ante-post betting as the horses aren’t guaranteed to line up in the race. 

Apprentice Jockey

A trainer flat jockey linked to the stable of a licensed trainer. They usually receive a weight allowance when racing against professional jockeys. 

At The Post

When the horses arrive at the starting point of the race.

B

Banker

A horse that is expected to win, usually priced accordingly.

Betting Ring

The area at racecourses where most bookmakers tend to operate.

Bit

The metal part of the bridle that sits in the horse’s mouth. A jockey’s reins are attached to the bit and that is what they use to control the horse.

Black Type

A term used by the bloodstock industry to identify a horse that has won or been placed in a Group/Graded/Listed race. 

Blanket Finish

When horses finish so close together that you could effectively put a ‘blanket’ across them. These usually result in a photo finish to determine the outcome of who finished first. 

Blinkers

A form of headgear for the horse, which is made up of a hood with cups around the eyes. 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 horses wearing blinkers, usually next to the horse’s weight. If it has a 1 next to the ‘b’ on the racecard, it indicates the horse is wearing blinkers for the first time.

Blowout

A short workout that is usually done a day or two before a race, in order to clear the horse’s airways for the race. 

Bookmaker/Bookie

A person or company who is licensed to take bets.

Boxed In

When a horse is blocked by other horses and unable to find a gap. 

Bridle

The equipment on the head of the horse that is used to control it. 

Broodmare

A mare that is kept at the stud for breeding purposes. Broodmare’s tend to be racehorses but are unlikely to still continue to race. 

Brought Down

When a horse falls during a race due to being impeded by another horse.

Bumper

A flat race that is run under jumps rules. These races are used to educate future jumps horses, before they try to race over hurdles or fences. 

Bumping

When a horse collides with another and causes interference. This can result in a stewards’ enquiry if deemed to affect the bumped horse significantly. 

C

Cheekpieces

Strips of sheepskin that attach to the side of a horse’s bridle. They are used to partially obscure a horse’s rear vision, which should help them concentrate in a race. You will notice a ‘p’ on a racecard for horses wearing cheekpieces, usually next to the horse’s weight. If it has a 1 next to the ‘p’ on the racecard, it indicates the horse is wearing cheekpieces for the first time.

Classic

The five historic major races for three-year-olds in the flat season in Britain. They are:

• 2,000 Guineas
• 1,000 Guineas
• The Oaks
• The Derby
• The St Leger

Colt

An ungelded (entire) male aged four years or younger. 

Conditional Jockey

A jockey in jump racing aged 25 or younger that is licenced to a specific trainer. They will receive a weight allowance for their inexperience until they ride a certain amount of winners. 

Connections

The people associated with the horse – owner, trainer etc. 

Course Specialist

A horse that has proven to go well at a certain racecourse in previous races. 

D

Dam

A horse’s mother. 

Dark Horse

A horse who is deemed to have potential but hasn’t shown his full capabilities yet. Trainers may opt to plot a horse’s campaign carefully, so they don’t have a huge weight to carry in a handicap. 

Dead Heat

When horses cannot be separated at the finish line, even with the help of the photo finish. 

Declared

When a horse is confirmed to take part in a race at the final declaration stage.

Disqualification/Disqualified

When a horse causes interference or infringement, a stewards’ enquiry may result in the horse being disqualified from the race. If it isn’t deemed a major infringement, the horse may be demoted in the places instead. 

Distance

How far a horse has won or lost by, which is measured in lengths. 

Dividend

The amount that a bet returns for every £1 bet. 

Draw

A horse’s starting position in the stalls allotted to them in flat racing. So for example, a horse drawn 6 will be in stall 6. 

E

Each-Way

A bet that is split into two – half the stake is on the horse to win and the other half is on the horse to finish in the places. Depending on the number of runners in the race, an each way bet usually pays a quarter or a fifth of the odds if your horse finishes in the places. For example:

• You place a £5 each way (£10 altogether) bet on your horse at 10/1 
• The race is paying a fifth of the odds
• If your horse places, your £5 win part of the bet is a loser, but your £5 place part of the bet would return £15

Entry Stage

This is the stage where owners/trainers submit the horse to take part in a race. During the entry stage, the horse’s details are given to the horse racing authorities to determine whether the horse is eligible to take part in the race. 

Even Money

When your stake returns equal winnings. For example, if you bet £10 on a horse at even money and it wins, you will get £20 for your bet (£10 winnings and your £10 stake back). 

F

Favourite

The horse that has the shortest odds in the race. 

Field

The number of horses in a race. 

Filly

A female horse aged four or younger. 

First String

A stables main fancy in a race if they have two or more runners in the same race. 

Foal

Used to describe a horse from birth up to 1st January the following year. 

Form

The horse’s race record. Numbers represent the finishing person in their recent races, with the form read from read to left. For example, a horse whose form reads 243751 would have won on his most recent start. 

Front-Runner

A horse that likes to race up towards the front of the runners, setting the tempo of the race. 

Furlong

The measurement for a distance of a race. A furlong is the equivalent to an eighth of a mile or 220 yards. The numbers seen on posts at racecourses count the furlongs back from the winning post. 

G

Gallops

The part of the training ground where the horses are exercised. 

Gates

The section of the stalls that opens up to release the horses and start the race. 

Gelding

A male horse that has been castrated. 

Going

The condition of the ground at the racecourse. It can vary from firm to heavy ground. 

Going Down

When horses are making their way onto the racecourse to the starting point of the race. 

Green

A term used to describe when a horse shows signs of inexperience in a race. 

Group/Graded Races

The top tier of racing, with Group/Grade 1’s being the most important. Group races are run in flat racing, whilst Graded races are jumps races.  

Guineas (currency)

The traditional currency used when purchasing racehorses. One guinea worked out as one pound and one shilling, or £1.05 in modern day money. 

H

Handicap

A type of race where horses carry different weights, depending on their handicap rating. This is to ensure the race is run on a fair and equal basis. 

Handicap Mark/Rating

The official rating given to a horse once it has raced at least three times. The rating determines how much weight they have to carry in a handicap race, and will go up when the horse runs well. If it runs poorly, their handicap rating will drop. 

Handicapper

The official responsible for allocating handicap ratings to horses. They also set the weights to be carried by the horses in handicap races. 

Hard Ridden

When a jockey puts full effort into getting the most out of the horse, usually using the whip to do so. 

Head

A unit of measurement in a race finish about the length of a horse’s head. 

Home Straight

The straight part of the racecourse from the final bend to the finish line. 

Hurdler 

A horse that runs over hurdles. 

Hurdles

The smaller of the two obstacles on a jumps racecourse. Horses tend to start off their jumps career over hurdles before eventually progressing to fences (chasing), although some horses do remain over hurdles their entire career and some opt to go straight over fences. 

I

In-Running

Events that occur during the race. 

J

Juvenile

A two-year-old horse. Each horse turns two on January 1 in the second full calendar year following its birth – for example, a horse born in 2023 will turn two on 1st January 2025. 

Joint-Favourite

If two horses at the head of the betting have the same odds, they are considered joint-favourites.

Judge

The racecourse official that is responsible for declaring the finishing order of a race, and the distances between the runners. 

K

L

Lay

To take a bet on. Essentially you are betting on a horse to lose. 

Left-Handed Track

A racecourse where the horses run in an anti-clockwise direction. 

Length

A unit of measurement for the distance between horses at the finish of a race. A length is the measure of a horse from head to tail. . 

Level Weights

When all horses in the race are carrying the same weight. 

Listed Race

A class of race that is just below Group/Graded level. 

Longshot

A horse that is big odds and is considered to have an outside chance of winning. 

M

Maiden

A horse that is yet to win a race. 

Mare

A female horse aged five or older.

Middle Distance

A middle distance race in flat racing is deemed anything beyond a mile (1m) and up to one mile six furlongs (1m 6f).

Minimum Trip

The shortest race distance. For flat racing it is five furlongs, and for jumps racing it is two miles. 

N

Nap

A nap is the tipster’s best bet of the day.

National Hunt

Another name for jumps racing, so any race held over hurdles or fences. 

Neck

A unit of measurement in a race finish about the length of a horse’s neck. 

Non Runner

When a horse is withdrawn from a race before it starts, for any reason, it is declared a non-runner. 

Nose

A unit of measurement in a race finish about the length of a horse’s nose. It is the shortest winning distance a horse can win by. 

Novice

When a horse is in the early stages of its career and after it has won its first race, it is called a novice.

Nursery

A handicap race that is run on the flat for two-year-old horses. 

O

Odds-Against

When the potential winnings are higher than the stake. For example, a horse that wins at 5/1 (6.00), you would win £5 for a £1 stake, so you would get a total return of £6 (your £1 stake plus the £5 winnings). 

Odds-On

When the stake is higher than the possible winnings if the bet wins. For example, a horse that wins at 1/2 (1.00), you would have to risk £2 to win £1, so you would get a total return of £3 (your £2 stake plus the £1 winnings). 

Off The Bridle

When the horse is asked for it’s effort, it is pushed along and loses contact with the bit in its mouth. 

Off The Pace

When a horse is some way behind the front runners in a race. 

One-Paced

A term used to describe a horse who fails to change it’s pace in the closing stage of a race. 

On The Bridle

A term used to describe a horse that has won easily, where he wins without having to be asked for a full effort. 

Open Ditch

A type of jump in National Hunt racing that has a ditch on the approach side of the fence. 

Out Of The Money

When a horse fails to finish in the places, thus failing to win any of the place money. 

Outsider

A horse that isn’t fancied to win and is usually a big price in the betting. 

Overnight Declarations

When a horse is entered in a race, they must be declared to run, which usually occurs the day before the race. At this stage the horses left in the race are known as ‘overnight declarations’.

Overweight

When a horse carries more than its allocated weight, due to the jockey being unable to make the weight. 

P

Pacemaker

A horse that enters a race to set the pace for another horse for the same connections. 

Paddock

The area of the racecourse which includes the parade ring and the winner’s enclosure. 

Parade Ring

The place where horses due to race meet their jockeys and parade in front of racegoers. 

Penalty

When a horse wins a race, it can have a penalty for their following race, where he will have to carry extra weight. 

Photo Finish

If a race has an extremely close finish between two or more horses, the result is determined by examining the photo taken when the horses cross the finish line. 

Placepot

A type of tote bet which involves the first six races of a meeting. You need to pick out a selection to finish in the places in each of the first six races on the racecard in order for the bet to win. 

Pulled Up

When a horse drops out of a race and fails to finish. 

Pulling

When the horse pulls against its bridle. This usually happens early on in a race, and is due to the horse using too much energy. 

Punter

A term to describe someone who places a bet. 

Pushed Out

When a horse is ridden, but isn’t asked for it’s full effort by the jockey. 

Q

Quarters

The hind part of the horse, measured from the horse’s hip to the tail. 

R

Racecard

A programme that shows all the information for the race meeting. It will show the runners, riders and times for each race, as well as plenty of other essential information, such as form and the horse number. 

Rails

White plastic rails are used to mark out the track on the racecourse. A stands rail is the rail closest to the grandstand, whilst the far rails are the opposite side of track from the grandstand. 

Rating

The way horses are measured on their ability. The best flat horses tend to reach a peak rating of 130+, whereas jumps horses can reach 180+. 

Reverse Forecast

A type of bet where you aim to find the winner and runner-up, in any order. Essentially, you pick two horses, and if they finish 1st and 2nd, your bet will win.  

Right-Handed Track

A racecourse where the horses run in a clockwise direction. 

S

Schooling

A term used to describe training a horse for jumping.

Second String

A stables second choice in a race if they have two or more runners in the same race. 

Selling Race

A low-class race where the winner is offered at auction following the race. Other horses entered in the race can be claimed for a fixed sum. 

Silks

The jacket (silks) worn by the jockey to identify the horse. The silks design/colour is chosen by the owners of the horse.

Sire

The father of a horse. 

Short Head

A unit of measurement in a race finish, when a horse finishes ahead by less than a head but more than nose, it is classed as winning by a short head.  

Soft (going)

The condition of the ground when the rain has left the ground soft.

Sprinter

A horse that specialises in running over the shortest distances in flat races (5-6 furlongs). 

Stallion

A male breeding horse. 

Stalls

A type of machinery used at the start of flat horse races. Horses go into their numbered stall, which is pre-assigned to them in a draw. The stalls are used to ensure races are started in an orderly and fair manner. 

Starter

The racecourse official who is responsible for starting the race. 

Starting Price (SP)

The abbreviated term for Starting Price, which is the odds the horse is when the race starts. 

Stayer

A horse that specialises in longer distance races. For flat racing, this would be two miles or further. For jumps racing, it would be three miles or further. 

Staying On

When a horse finishes the race strongly, which tends to highlight good stamina. 

Steeplechase

A type of race that involves horses jumping fences, open ditches and water jumps, that is run over a distance of two miles or further.

Stewards’ Enquiry

A hearing held in the Stewards’ room to discuss whether the stewards feel the rules have been broken in a race. If they feel the rules have been broken, a horse can be disqualified or demoted. 

Straight Forecast

A type of bet where you aim to find the winner and runner-up in the correct order. 

Stud

A farm where horses are mated. There is usually at least one stallion living on the stud farm. 

Supplementary Entry

When a horse pays an additional fee to get into a race at a later stage, if they haven’t qualified for the race. This tends to be for major races, such as the St Leger. 

T

Thoroughbred

A breed of horse developed for horse racing. 

Tongue Tie

A strip of material that is tied around a horse’s tongue and lower jaw to prevent the horse from swallowing its tongue. You will notice a ‘t’ on a racecard for horses wearing a tongue tie, usually next to the horse’s weight. If it has a 1 next to the ‘t’ on the racecard, it indicates the horse is wearing a tongue tie for the first time.

Trainer

The person in charge of training the horses. A trainer must hold a license or obtain a permit to be allowed to train. 

Trip

A term used to inform the distance of a race. 

Triple Crown

A series of races for thoroughbreds that if won, is considered one of the greatest accomplishments in racing. There are different triple crowns for colts and fillies:

Colts

• 2,000 Guineas
• The Derby
• The St Leger

Fillies

• 1,000 Guineas
• The Oaks
• The St Leger

Turned Out

How a horse looks when presented in the paddock. Racecourses usually have a ‘best turned out’ award for the best looking horse in the paddock. 

Turn Of Foot

The acceleration of a horse when asked for its effort in the closing stages.

U

Under Starters Orders

The moment a race is about to begin. The jockeys are waiting for the race to start, either in the stalls for flat racing, or lined up at the start of a jumps race. 

Unfancied

When a horse isn’t expected to win. 

V

Visor

Similar to blinkers, but with a slit in the eye cups, which allow some lateral vision. You will notice a ‘v’ on a racecard for horses wearing a visor, usually next to the horse’s weight. If it has a 1 next to the ‘v’ on the racecard, it indicates the horse is wearing a visor for the first time.

W

Walkover

A race that involves one horse. Even though it only involves one horse, the horse and jockey must still pass the winning post to be declared the winner. 

Weighed In

The official confirmation after the race that the jockeys have raced at the correct weight. Once this is done, the racecourse commentator will announce “Weighed in. Weighed in”.

Weight Cloth

A cloth that is placed under the saddle with pockets to add lead weights. This ensures the horse carries its allotted weight.

Well In

When a horse is deemed to be favoured by the weights. 

Wind Operation

A surgical procedure which assists with a horse’s breathing. 

Whip

The stick used by jockeys to encourage/steer their horse. 

X 

Y 

Yankee

A multiple bet on four selections in different races. A yankee consists of 11 bets:

• 6 x doubles
• 4 x trebles
• 1 x four-fold

So you will need at least two selections to win to get a return.

Yard

The trainers premises where their racehorses are trained.

Yearling

A foal from January 1st – December 31st of the year following its birth.  

Yielding

An Irish term to describe the condition of the ground, which essentially equates to the British ‘good to soft’.

Z

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