Race Speak
Understanding the language of racing
Like most sports thoroughbred racing has some unique and curious terms that go hand in hand with a day at the races. Below are explanations of just some of the many terms.
Checked:
A horse is interfered with & has to change stride or slow down
Barriers:
This is where the races commence, from a set of starting stalls referred to as barriers
Dividend:
Your winnings
Field:
All the horses in one particular race
Favourite:
A horse with the most money wagered on it therefore making it the “favourite” to win
Scratching:
A horse that is withdrawn from an event before it starts
Silks:
The unique colours that jockeys wear during a race.
The unique design belongs to the owner of the horse and is used to distinguish horses from each other during a race.
Thoroughbred:
A breed of horse especially suited to racing.
Henry VIII and Elizabeth I imported horses from Italy and Spain to cross with English breeds. Records from the 17th century show that Barb, Barbary, Arabian and Galloway Horses, who were famous racing breeds of the time formed the basis for the modern Thoroughbred breed.
Qualities: great courage & stamina
Temperament: kind, spirited
Win:
Your chosen horse must come first.
Place:
Your chosen horse must finish in the top three places for you to win.
(there must be at least 8 horses in the race)
Each way:
Wager on a horse to either come first or in a place (2nd or 3rd).
Quinella:
Choosing two horses, they must finish 1st and 2nd in any order for you to win.
Trifecta:
You select 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishing horses in the correct order to win.
