What Does Weight Mean in Horse Racing: Understanding Jockey and Horse Weights
Weight is one of the key aspects a horse racing fan must grasp before immersing themselves in the sport.
Every horse that races, like every human, weighs a certain amount. The weight of a horse can fluctuate significantly depending on their training programme.
Additionally, the equipment they carry in a race, including the saddle, adds to the racing weight along with the weight of the jockey on board.
In racing, when we refer to the weight a horse is carrying in the race, everything is counted together, i.e. the jockey's weight, saddle and other equipment and any lead weights added to meet the required race conditions.
Horse Body Weight: How Much Do Racehorses Weigh?
A fully developed thoroughbred that is ready to race, i.e. two-years-old and upwards, can weigh anywhere from 450kg-550kg.
It's not a question punters tend to ask: How much does a race horse weigh? That said, having the background information can be useful, especially when it comes to absorbing any news that might become public about a horses' weight loss or gain.
Racehorse weight can fluctuate, depending on the level of training they are undergoing. They will be at optimal weight for their races but weight can change when they are out of season or if suffering from any minor ailment that might prevent them from exercising fully.
Thoroughbreds (most common in Flat/National racing):
- Average weight: 1,000–1,200 lbs (450–545 kg)
- Known for speed and lean builds
Standardbreds (used in harness racing):
- Average weight: 900–1,100 lbs (410–500 kg)
- More muscular and compact than Thoroughbreds
Carried Weight in Racing: The Basics
Horse racing weights are measured and displayed in stones and pounds. On the racecard, horse weights are shown beside every runner, for example 11st 12lb.
The combined weight of the jockey and equipment equates to the racing weight. Jockeys in professional races typically weigh around 108–118 pounds (49–54 kg). Jockeys are weighed, with their equipment, before and after every race to ensure they are at the exact weight. Hence the term 'weighed in' when the race is over before the result becomes official.
The equipment – or tack, as it can be known – includes the saddle and saddle cloth, which the jockey carries onto the scales for weighing out and in. Lead weight cloths are sometimes added to ensure the horse carries the correct weight and the jockey carries these for weighing in.
If any weighted items such as saddle, cloths or lead weights are lost in the race, and the jockey doesn't have them for weighing in, the horse is disqualified for weighing in light.
The difference between a jockey’s actual body weight and the assigned race weight is typically made up using tack (saddle and gear) and additional lead weights.
How Racing Weight is Determined
Racing weights are determined in different ways for different types of races. They are set by the racing secretary or handicapper based on specific rules laid out at the entry stage for every race.
Minimum Weight Requirements
The minimum weight a horse must carry in a race depends on the type of race, the rules of the racing jurisdiction, and the age and sex of the horse. These vary in different types of races, both on the Flat and over jumps. Some examples are below.
Weight Assignments in Different Race Types
Handicaps – weights are determined based on demonstrated ability from previous races, using the most recent form first but acknowledging past peak performances.
Conditions races – the conditions of the race, as set out at entry, determine the weights carried by the participants.
Stakes races – stakes races have pre-set weights for each horse based on age, sex etc. All horses are assigned a base weight, with allowances given for: sex (fillies/mares get a 3–5 lb allowance), age (younger horses get weight for age allowance against older horses) and performance (e.g. winners at certain levels carry penalties of up to 5lb).
Weight-for-ages races – Weights are assigned based on age and sex of the horse, with certain allowances for younger horses taking on their elders, or fillies/mares racing against colts/geldings.
Allowance races – Allowance races are a class of horse race where weights are assigned based on specific conditions or qualifications listed in the race's conditions—such as number of wins, earnings, age, or sex. These are not determined the same as handicaps. They can also be based on jockeys' ability, i.e. with an allowance for inexperienced riders.
The Impact of Carried Weight on Performance
In racing there are various ways that the weight carried can affect performance. A horse rising through handicaps, for example, will see its weight to be carried rising in tandem with its rating. This may lead to it racing in a higher class of race, against better opposition. In this scenario, it will carry less weight, but against better opponents.
So while a horse might have carried 9st 0lb in a low-grade race on the Flat, and won against rivals of a 0-60 rating, a new rating based on that performance might see it competing in its next race carrying less weight, but in a higher grade of competition against rivals rated up to 70.
Therefore, it must improve its form again to compete against classier opposition, despite carrying less weight.
Trueshan's win in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in 2022 is viewed as one of the great British handicap performances. Trueshan was racing off a BHA rating of 120, carrying a weight of 10st 8lb, making him the highest-rated handicap winner in the UK since 1988.
Jockey Weight Management
Jockeys have to work hard to maintain their weights at the desired level. Jockeys are some of the lightest athletes in professional sport.
In order to maintain weight, they follow a strict diet with lean meats, vegetables and lots of hydration. They indulge in daily workouts before racing and also spend time in steam rooms and saunas to shed a few crucial pounds before getting into the saddle.
Reading Weight Information in Race Cards
On the racecard you will see a horse's name accompanied by jockey & trainer, form, rating and race weight.
Weights are displayed in stone and pounds, e.g. 11st 12lb or 9st 0lb.
Conclusion: Understanding Weight in Horse Racing
Weight in horse racing refers to the weight a horse will carry, including the jockeys' weight and accompanying equipment, including lead weights.
Weight directly affects the horses' performance expectancy and is regulated based on pre-determined factors known as race conditions.