British horse racing has a language of
its own. If you're new to the sport – or even if you've been following it for
years – the jargon can make a simple race more confusing than it should be.
Here's a plain-English guide to the terms you'll hear most often.
Types of racing
Flat racing
Racing on level ground, typically over
distances between five furlongs and two and a half miles. No fences or hurdles.
Jumps racing
Also known as National Hunt racing.
Horses race over hurdles or fences, typically in the autumn and winter months.
It's slower than flat racing but more demanding on stamina and jumping ability.
Race classifications
Graded races
In jumps racing, the top level of
competition. These are split into Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3.
- Grade 1 races feature the very best horses carrying level weights,
with no penalties.
- Grade 2 races may include penalties for previous winners.
- Grade 3 races are often high-quality handicaps.
Winning a graded race is a clear sign
of class, especially at Grade 1 level.
Listed and Group
races
The highest level of flat racing.
Group 1 races sit at the top, followed by Group 2, Group 3 and Listed races.
These attract the best horses and carry the most prestige.
Handicap
A race where horses carry different
weights to give them an equal chance. Better horses carry more weight, weaker
horses carry less. The idea is to create a more competitive and unpredictable
race.
Claiming race
A race where every horse is available
to be bought for a fixed price after it runs. Each horse is entered with a
"claiming price", and the lower that price, the less weight it
carries. Claiming races tend to sit at the lower end of the quality scale, but
they're often competitive and unpredictable.
Staying race
A race run over a long distance,
designed to test stamina rather than speed. In Britain, anything two miles or
more on the flat – or three miles plus over jumps – is generally considered a
staying race. Horses that stay well are sometimes described as "grinders"
rather than quick finishers.
Horse and jockey terms
Novice
In jumps racing, a novice is a horse
in its first season of racing over hurdles or fences. Novice races feature
improving horses and can be tricky to assess.
Maiden
A horse that's never won a race.
Maiden races are restricted to these horses, making them a starting point for
many racing careers.
Weight
The combined weight of the jockey,
saddle and any additional lead carried by the horse. Even a small change in
weight can make a big difference, especially over longer distances.
Jockey claim
An allowance in weight given to
inexperienced jockeys. The idea is to offset their lack of experience by
reducing the weight their horse carries.
Betting terms
Each-way betting
An each-way bet is two bets in one:
one on the horse to win and one on it to place. The place part pays out if the
horse finishes in the top few positions, depending on the race and bookmaker's
terms. It's a good option when you're backing outsiders, as it gives you some
protection if the horse runs well but doesn't win.
Ante-post
A bet placed weeks or even months
before a race is run. Ante-post odds are bigger because there's more
uncertainty – the horse might not run, could get injured, or the ground could
change. If your horse doesn't take part, you'll lose your stake.
Track and performance terms
Going
The condition of the ground. You'll
hear it described as heavy, soft, good to soft, good, good to firm or firm.
Going matters because some horses perform much better on certain surfaces than
others.
On the bridle
A phrase used when a horse is
travelling easily, with the jockey not asking for much effort. If a horse is
"on the bridle" deep into a race, it's a very positive sign – it
means there's plenty left in the tank.
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