Racing Terms: Glossary
A list of common words/phrases associated with Horse Racing.
Acceptances: The final field of horse’s who have accepted a position in a particular race.
Apprentice: A jockey that is in training and has not graduated to professional status. An apprentice is normally associated with one stable.
Barriers: The starting point in a race.
Blinkers: A device that a horse will wear to ensure he focuses on what’s in front of them instead of looking out to the side.
Checked: During a race, a horse may incur some interference from another horse or jockey.
Claim: An apprentice jockey is able to claim a reduction in weight carried for that particular race.
Class: The grade of the race.
Colt: A male horse that is 3 years or under and has not been gelded.
Correct Weight: At the completion of a race, the jockey will be weighed to ensure he was carrying the required weight given to him as a handicap.
Dam: The female parent of the horse.
Dead Heat: Two or more horses that cross the finish line at the exact same time. Officials are unable to determine a sole winner due to it being so close.
Dividend: The amount paid out for your bet.
Farrier: Someone who specialises in the care of a horse’s hoof. They can be required at times, to tend to a horse prior to the start of a race.
Favourite: Determined by the market odds (betting) for that race. The shortest odds will be referred to as the ‘favourite’.
Field: The collective of horses in a particular race. The Melbourne Cup field is made up of 24 horses.
Filly: A female horse that is generally under 3 years old.
First Up: Refers to a horse who is coming back to racing after a spell (break) from racing – generally longer than 2months.
Front Runner: A horse who normally settles at the front of the field during the race.
Furlong: A race is made up of several furlongs. A furlong is approx. 200m. You will occasionally hear the race commentator mention furlong during the race call.
Gallop: Faster than a canter.
Good Track: A track that is firm underfoot with little moisture.
Group Races: 4 classifications – Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, and Listed Races (Group 4). These are the best horses in the country as decided by the racing authority.
Handicap Race: Weights are assigned to each horse in a race to ensure an even race.
Heavy Track: A track that has sustained considerable water/rain and is very soft underfoot. A heavy track is not suited for most horses as it can be heavy for the horse and isn’t able to run as fast.
Lame: A horse can be called lame due to pain in its limbs. Called by a Vet, this will result in a horse being scratched from the race or requiring attention post-race.
Late Mail: Prior to the horses jumping from the barrier, a tipster will sometimes declare this to be the horse to watch.
Late Scratching: A horse that is removed from the race at a late stage.
Maiden: A horse race for horses that have not yet won a race in their career.
Mare: An adult female horse generally 4 year old or older.
Middle Distance: A race that is approx 1600-1800m in distance.
Mounting Yard: A designated areas where horses are paraded around prior to a jockey on board before a race.
Nose Roll: Piece of equipment, normally sheepskin, attached to the bridle of a horse which helps it keep the head in line with its body.
NTD: No Third Dividend. If a race has less than 8 horses, third place will not be paid by betting outlets due to the low number of horses in a race.
Place: When a horse comes 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a race. Generally used in betting references.
Plunge: A last minute rush of money from one person on a particular horse.
Rails: The fence line around the track. A track manager will sometimes move this rail out to protect the track throughout the racing season.
Scratched: When a horse is withdrawn from a race.
Silks: The colours/material worn by jockeys.
Sire: A male parent of a horse.
Spell: The time a horse has from not racing. A spell is normally longer than 90 days.
Stayer: A horse that would participate in a race that is longer than 2000m in distance.
Stewards: The officials responsible for governing the race and enforcing the rules.
Strapper: A person responsible for the well being of a horse. Sometimes a strapper is referred to as a Groom.
Swooper: A horse that has late speed and will head to the finish line faster than most of the field.
Yearling: Considered to be a younger horse that is a 2 year old.
