Horse Racing Terms and Phrases: Complete A-Z Glossary and Beginner's Guide
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to horse racing terms and phrases, you've come to the right place. This horse racing dictionary will provide horse racing definitions covering every aspect of the sport, as well as betting terminology you will need to establish a foundation of betting fundamentals.
How Should You Use This Horse Racing Terminology Guide?
This guide to horse racing terminology features both an alphabetical term list and a general knowledge section.
What Are the Essential Horse Racing Terms for Beginners?
The following are some key horse racing terms and horse racing betting terms someone just starting their racing education should know before they wade into the world of betting on horses. Use these as a foundation of your racing vocabulary.
| Term | Definition | Why It's Important |
|---|---|---|
| Post Position | The horse's starting gate number | Starting position can influence the jockey's strategy. |
| Backstretch | The straightaway on the far side of the track, opposite the grandstand. | Jockeys often make moves on the backstretch to position themselves for the stretch run. |
| Far Turn | Typically, the turn to the left of viewers in the grandstand. | The far turn can make or break a horse's chances as they either break free or get boxed in. |
| Furlong | A measure of distance. There are 8 furlongs to a mile. | Different horses perform better at different distances. So it's important to know the distance of a race. |
| Wire | The finish line. | Horses typically make all-out efforts as the race comes down to the wire. |
| Win/place/show | Indicate whether a horse finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd. | The top 3 positions are money positions, while the rest are not. |
| Longshot | A horse given little chance of winning. | If it does win, the payout can be substantial. |
| Tote Board | A digital display board on the infield shows the latest odds and other information. | When odds and circumstances change, you may decide to change your wager. |
| Favourite | The horse that has attracted the most betting action. | Being a favourite does not always indicate that a horse is the best horse in the race. |
| Odds | Odds indicate the likelihood a horse will win and how much your bet will pay if it does. | Nothing is guaranteed, but odds should never be dismissed when deciding which horse to bet on. |
Complete A-Z Horse Racing Glossary
The following horse racing glossary contains hundreds of words covering horse racing fundamentals as well as horse race betting terms you will encounter both at the track and in discussions with other bettors.
A - Horse Racing Terms
Across the board - A bet placed on a single horse to win, place and show.
Action - Indicates many people bet on a given horse: "The horse took a lot of action".
Agent - Someone authorised to transact business for an owner or breeder.
Allowance - A concession based on weight given to inexperienced jockeys.
Allowance race - A race where each horse is assigned a weight based on their age, sex, past record, etc.
Also eligible - A horse officially entered but not eligible to start unless there are scratches.
Also ran - A horse that did not finish among the top 3 horses.
Apprentice jockey - An inexperienced jockey.
B - Horse Racing Terms
Backstretch - The straight portion on the far side of a race track.
Baby race - A race for 2-year-olds.
Blinkers - Cup-shaped devices that limit a horse's vision to prevent distractions.
Boxed in - When a horse is between or inside a group of other horses during a race.
Board - Short for "tote board", where odds and other information is displayed at the track.
Break maiden - Indicates a horse and/or rider won the first race of their career.
Bridge jumper - Someone who wagers large amounts on a horse to show.
Broodmare - A filly or mare that is used to produce foals.
Bug boy - An apprentice jockey.
C - Horse Racing Terms
Card - Short for "race card".
Chalk - The practice of betting on the favourite.
Claiming race - A race where every horse in the field can be purchased after the race.
Clocker - A person who times races and workouts.
Closer - A horse that runs best in the latter stages of the race.
Clubhouse turn - The 1st turn after the start, located near the clubhouse.
Colt - A male horse, less than 4 years old, that has not been gelded.
Connections - Individuals associated with a horse, such as the owner, trainer and jockey.
D - Horse Racing Terms
Daily double - Essential horse betting for dummies. This bet picks the winner of the day's first 2 races.
Dam - A Female horse that gives birth to a foal.
Dark horse - A horse about which little is known.
Derby - A derby is a horse race restricted to 3-year-olds.
Distaff - A race for female horses.
Dead heat - 2 horses running next to each other during the race or at the finish.
Disqualification - When officials change the order of finish due to rules infractions.
Driving - When a horse is making an all-out effort to win.
E - Horse Racing Terms
Eased - When a horse is slowed down by the jockey during a race.
Entire - A horse that has not been gelded.
Entry fee - Fee paid by an owner to enter a horse in a stakes race.
Evenly - A horse that neither gains nor loses position during a race.
Exacta - A bet whereby the bettor tries to pick the 1st and 2nd place finishers.
Exotic bets - Bets other than straight bets, often involving multiple horses.
Extended - When a horse is running at top speed.
F - Horse Racing Terms
Fast track - A track that is dry, evenly textured and resilient.
Filly - Female thoroughbred horse that has never been bred and is less than 4 years old.
Flat race - A race with no fences, jumps or other obstacles.
Foal - A male or female horse less than 1 year old.
Form - A record of how a horse has performed in recent races.
Fractions - Intermediate times recorded during a race in quarter-mile distances.
Front runner - A horse that bolts for the lead at the start and stays there as long as possible.
Furlong - 220 yards, 660 feet or 1/8 of a mile.
G - Horse Racing Terms
Gait - Thoroughbreds typically have 4 gaits: walk, trot, canter and gallop.
Gate card - Issued by a starter indicating a horse is trained in starting gate procedures.
Gelding - A male horse of any age that has been castrated.
Going - Going describes the track conditions. For instance: a soft, wet track will be "slow going".
Good track - A turf course that is not quite firm or a dirt track just short of being fast.
Graded race - Races assigned a grade (I, II or III) based on the strength of the field.
Groom - The person who cares for the horse in the stables.
Group race - Classification of stakes races outside North America. Denoted by 1, 2 or 3.
H - Horse Racing Terms
Handicap - A race where different weights are assigned based on past performance.
Handily - When a horse performs well without urging from the jockey.
Hand ride - Prompting the horse using only the hands, no whips.
Hands - 4 inches. Horses are measured in hands from the top of their shoulder to the ground.
Head of the stretch - The beginning of the straightaway that leads to the wire.
Heavy track - The wettest possible conditions on a turf track.
Hung - When a horse does not respond to prompting from the rider to run faster.
I - Horse Racing Terms
Infield - That portion of a racecourse enclosed by the inner rail of the track.
In hand - A horse running with only moderate control at less than its maximum speed.
In running - Events that take place during the running of a race.
In the money - When a horse finishes either 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
In play bet - A bet placed between the start of a race and its conclusion.
Irons - Also known as stirrups, designed to accommodate the rider's feet.
Inquiry - When officials believe an infraction has occurred, they order a review of the race.
J - Horse Racing Terms
Jockeys' race - A race whose outcome depends more on rider strategy than the horse's strength.
Jumper - A horse trained to run steeplechase events.
Judge - Judges declare the finishing order of a race and the distance between horses at the finish.
Jumps race - A race where horses are required to jump obstacles and are tested on stamina and agility.
Juvenile - A 2-year-old horse of either gender.
K - Horse Racing Terms
Key horse - A horse the bettor feels will finish in a particular position in a given race.
Key race - The featured race of a given day, often featuring the best horses
L - Horse Racing Terms
Lay - A betting term meaning to bet on a horse to lose.
Lead - Weights carried in pockets on the saddle to satisfy weight requirements.
Leaky roof circuit - A derogatory term for unkempt, minor racetracks.
Late double - A 2nd daily double offered late in the day's racing programme.
Length - A unit of measure based on the length of a horse, used to denote distances between horses.
Listed race - A stakes race graded in quality to be just below that of a group or graded race.
Lock - Betting term indicating a horse is believed to be a sure winner.
Long shot - A horse with little chance of winning.
M - Horse Racing Terms
Maiden - A female horse that has never been bred or a horse or rider who has never won a race.
Marathon - A marathon is a horse race longer than 1 1/4 miles.
Mare - A young female horse that has given birth, or a female horse more than 5 years old.
Matinee - A race programme conducted entirely during daylight hours.
Middle distance - In general terms, any horse race between 1 and 1 1/8 miles long.
Miler - A horse that prefers race distances over a mile.
Minus pools - Betting pools to satisfy minimum legal payouts, funded by those who took the bets.
Morning line odds - Probable odds on each horse determined by the track handicapper.
Mudder - A horse that performs best in muddy conditions.
N - Horse Racing Terms
Nap - A tipster's top bet of the day.
National Hunt - Jump racing.
Neck - A unit of measurement typically about 1/4 of a "length".
Nod - The lowering of the horse's head at the finish line to gain an advantage over a close rival.
Nose - A unit of measurement indicating a very small distance.
Non-runner - A horse that is withdrawn from a race just prior to the start.
Novice - A horse that's won a race but is still early in its career.
Nursery - A handicap race for 2-year-olds run on the flat.
O - Horse Racing Terms
Oaks - A stakes event exclusively for 3-year-old females.
Objections - A claim of foul by a rider, judge or other track official after a race.
Odds - The mathematical expression of a horse's chances of winning.
Odds-on - An odds-on bet is when the potential winnings are lower than the stake.
Off the pace - When a horse runs well behind the pack.
Off track - Wagering at legally sanctioned betting outlets not located at the track.
On the board - A horse that finishes in one of the top 3 positions.
Open ditch - A National Hunt race with ditches in front of the fences.
Overlay - A horse that goes off at higher odds than past performance suggests it should.
P - Horse Racing Terms
Pacesetter - A horse that leads the pack early to ensure a fast time and neutralise tactical racing.
Parlay - Reinvesting the winnings from one bet into another bet in a subsequent race.
Past performances - Detailed records of a horse's previous races. Used to predict future performance.
Pick 6 - A type of bet where the bettor attempts to pick the winners of 6 consecutive races.
Place bet - A bet where the punter wagers a horse will finish either 1st or 2nd.
Pole position - The starting position that is closest to the inside rail.
Post parade - The parade of horses as they make their way to the starting gate.
Post position - The starting gate number each horse is assigned.
Q - Horse Racing Terms
Quadrella - A bet where the punter selects the winner of 4 specific races.
Quarter - The hind part of the horse on either side, measured from the hip to the tail.
Quinella - A bet where the punter picks the 2 horses to finish 1st and 2nd, regardless of order.
R - Horse Racing Terms
Rabbit - A horse that sets the pace to benefit a stablemate in the same race.
Race caller - The person who calls the race at the track.
Racecard - The published programme containing information on the day's races.
Rail runner - A horse that prefers to run along the inside rail of a track.
Refuse - When a horse won't break from the gate or baulks at performing a jump.
Restricted race - A race where only a certain type of horse is eligible to enter.
Ringer - A horse entered into a race under another horse's name.
Route - A race longer than 1 1/8 miles.
S - Horse Racing Terms
Scratch - A horse removed from a race before it starts.
Show bet - Betting on a horse to finish in the money.
Silks - The cap and jacket worn by the rider to indicate the owner of the horse.
Sire - A male parent horse.
Stakes - A race that requires owners to pay a fee to enter.
Starting price - The odds on a horse at the time the race starts.
Stretch run - The final leg of the race after the horses have cleared the far turn.
Superfecta - A bet whereby the punter selects 4 horses in a race to finish in a specific order.
Sure thing - A horse that tipsters and bettors believe cannot lose.
T - Horse Racing Terms
Tipster - A person who predicts which horses they believe will finish in the money.
Trifecta - A type of bet where the punter chooses the first 3 finishers in exact order.
Track condition - The state of the racetrack on the day of a race.
Trainer - The person who trains a horse to race.
Tote board - A display located in the infield to show current odds.
Track record - The fastest time ever recorded for a particular distance on a particular track.
Turf accountant - Horse racing slang for a bookmaker.
Turn of foot - The degree of response when a horse is called upon to accelerate late in a race.
U - Horse Racing Terms
Unbackable - A horse whose odds are so short that a reasonable return is impossible.
Underlay - A horse offering shorter odds than seems warranted, given their past performance.
Under wraps - A horse is deliberately held back to keep him/her from pulling too far in front.
Under starter's orders - When horses are loaded into the gate and the starter takes control.
Untried - A stallion that has not been bred or a horse that has not been tested for speed.
V - Horse Racing Terms
Valet - A person whose job it is to look after a rider's gear.
Value - Value betting means getting the best odds on a given wager.
Visors - Similar to blinkers but with slits allowing some lateral vision.
W - Horse Racing Terms
Weight-for-age - A method of assigning weights based on a horse's age and sex.
Weigh-in - Before a race, the clerk of scales weighs each jockey and certifies their weight.
Weight cloth - A cloth with pockets for weights laid under the saddle.
Win - A first-place finish.
Whip - A stick, usually leather, that the jockey uses to prompt the horse to go faster.
Wire - A symbolic term for the finish line of a race.
Workout - The horse is brought up to full speed over a distance of 3-6 furlongs.
X, Y, Z - Horse Racing Terms
Yankee - A bet placed on 4 selections in different events consisting of 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 4-fold.
Yearling - A 2-year-old horse.
Yielding - When turf is wet and gives way noticeably under the horses.
Yard - The premises where racehorses are trained.
Understanding Race Types and Conditions
If you hope to master horse racing basics, you need to know there are 2 main types of thoroughbred racing: flat racing and jumps racing, also known as National Hunt.
Flat Races
As the name implies, flat races are run on a level track. There are no obstacles for the horses to navigate, and they are intended to test speed, stamina and racing strategy. Flat races are shorter than jump races, typically checking in at between 5 furlongs and 2 miles. Flat races are held on dirt, turf or synthetic tracks and are popular worldwide.
Jump Races
Jump races (National Hunt races) typically feature older horses and a slower pace than flat races. Horses must navigate a series of obstacles, including water hazards and challenging fences. Jump races are longer than flat races, typically checking in between 2 and 4 1/2 miles. Jump races tend to be more popular in the UK, Ireland and France.
Similarities
- Both feature thoroughbreds ridden by jockeys.
- Both require a combination of speed and stamina.
- Both are regulated by racing authorities.
- Both feature horses specifically bred and trained for the different disciplines.
- They share many aspects of horse racing language.
Differences
| Aspect | Flat Racing | Jump Racing |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 5 furlongs to 2 miles | 2 to 4 miles |
| Obstacles? | No | Yes. Hurdles, fences, water |
| Pace | Brisk, sprint-like | More deliberate |
| Race surface | Dirt, turf, synthetic | Primarily turf |
| Most popular | Worldwide | UK, Ireland, France |
| Risks | Accidents related to the gate | High risk for injury from jumping |
| Seasons | Mostly spring and summer | Typically autumn and winter |
| Popular events | The Derby | Grand National |
How Are Horse Racing Terms Used in Commentary?
Horse Racing Phrases In Race Calls
- As the race unfolds a horse may be "off the pace".
- Horses often make moves on the "backstretch" to position themselves for the "stretch run".
- As they move down the stretch, one horse may be in front by X "lengths".
- One jockey may be going to the "whip" as he's "driving" to the "wire".
- The final result could see a horse winning by a "nose".
Horse Betting Terms In Betting Discussions
You will often hear bettors use horse racing terms like "win, place or show", relate how they placed an "exacta" on an upcoming race or how they hit on a "trifecta" or "superfecta". You may also hear them using horse racing for dummies betting terminology like this horse is a "mudder", that one is a "rabbit" or another is a "sure thing". They will often discuss track conditions, as in the track is "yielding" or "firm".
FAQs About Horse Racing Terms
How many thoroughbred racing terms should a beginner learn?
There is no hard and fast rule, but it's a good idea if a beginner learns 20 - 30 fundamental terms.
Where can I find the most current horse racing terminology?
You can find all the latest track terminology, equestrian terms, betting expressions and racing expressions right here.
What's the difference between racing jargon and official terminology?
Horse racing jargon/betting jargon is an Informal language used by jockeys, bettors, fans and others in casual conversation. Official terminology, on the other hand, is used to ensure clarity and consistency when it comes to race outcomes, rules and officiating.
How often do new horse racing terms emerge?
Official terminology hardly ever changes, but new racing jargon is not uncommon. Examples would be terms like "slingshot move" and "drop and pop" that have emerged as training techniques have evolved.