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HORSE RACING TERMS AND JARGON
Britain`s 61 racecourses, featuring Flat and National Hunt (jumps) racing offer a wide range of experiences whilst catering for all budgets. They offer an enjoyable day out for people of all ages. All UK racetracks offer free admission for accompanied under-16s, and many offer concessions for pensioners.
The terms and jargon used on the racetrack can prove bewildering for the novice punter. The following seeks to remove the mystery from some of the unusual terminology related to racing.
TYPES OF RACE
Conditions Races
The Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Pattern races (Groups 1-3 and Listed races) run at Royal Ascot fall into this category. Weights are allocated according to:
Sex, with female runners carrying less weight than males.
Age, with younger horses receiving weight from older runners to allow for relative maturity, referred to as "weight for age".
Quality, with horses that have won races at a certain level conceding weight to less successful entries.
Handicap Races
The Grand National and other major races run at the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot are "handicaps". Theoretically, each horse is allotted a weight so that all have an equal winning chance. The weight to be carried is determined by the rating of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) official handicapper. Horses need to run 3 times to attain a BHA rating. Thereafter, such ratings are adjusted according to a horse`s performance.
Claiming / Selling Races
In a claiming race, each horse has a weight according to the price at which it can be "claimed" out of the race. A prospective owner puts in a bid prior to the race and acquires the horse post-race, regardless of the result. The winner of a selling race is offered for public auction, immediately following the race.
TYPES OF HORSE
Colt
An uncastrated male horse less than 4-years old.
Gelding
A male horse that has been castrated. Gelding is a minor surgical procedure and usually enhances a horse`s temperament, which is beneficial to their racing career.
Filly
A female horse under the age of four.
Mare
A female horse, aged 4-years old+
COLOURATION
Bay
A bay horse has a reddish- brown body colour with a black mane, tail, ear edges, and lower legs. One of the most common horse colourations.
Chestnut
A chestnut horse has a red or brownish coat, with mane and tail the same or lighter colour.
FORM COMMENTS
Broke Down: Injured in running, e.g. went lame or broke blood vessel.
Brought Down:Indicated by a "B" in the form figures. Caused to fall or unseat rider as a result of interference from another runner.
Fell:Indicated by an "F" in the form figures. Came down as a result of hitting a fence of flight of hurdles.
Nearest Finish:A horse running in so that it was nearest to the winner at the post. Often an indication of a horse requiring a longer distance.
Not Extended:Did not have to fully exert to prevail.
Pulled Up:Failed to complete because of fatigue or injury.
Ran Out: Failed to jump an obstacle, and hence certain to be disqualified.
Unseated Rider:Indicated by a "U" in the form figures. Did not fall, but made sufficient a mistake as to unship its jockey.
Hopefully, the above would aid with the Cheltenham festival betting as well as at any other racetracks meeting.
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