Ts Meaning Horse Racing
Horse Racing Terms and Jargon Buster
The world of horse racing contains plenty of confusing words, some of which may mean very little to the unseasoned horse racing fan. This handy jargon-buster can help you understand some of the common horse racing terms, so you can join in with the horse-talk next time you’re at the races.
| Racing Term | Description |
| Abandoned | The status of a race or racecourse described as closed, usually as a result of bad weather. |
| Age | The age of a horse. |
| All-weather | A synthetic racing surface usually made from sand, which generally is not affected by the weather. |
| Allowance | The deduction in the weight a horse must carry. This can be a result of the age or the gender of the horse or the type of jockey (amateur). |
| Ante-post | A bet placed in advance of the final declarations of a race. Bookmakers usually offer better odds, but no refunds are given in the event of a non-runner. |
| Backward | A horse not fit or fully developed. |
| Banker | A supposedly certain bet. |
| Betting ring | The on-course bookmakers, often close to the running rail, who compete against one another for trade. Traditionally an integral part of the racing experience, bookmakers with names like Jolly Joe, loud check jackets, and voices like foghorns used to shout the odds and hand our colourful cards as receipts. While their clerks entered the bets in their ledgers and tic tac men, standing on orange boxes, waved their white gloved hands in signals of the trade, communicating changes in the horses’ prices. |
| Bit | A bar (usually made of stainless steel) that sits in the horse’s mouth and is attached to the bridle. |
| Black type | A race which is of Listed or Group class. |
| Blinkers | A type of headgear fitted to a horse that limits its field of vision, mainly from each side. Blinkers are designed to help horses concentrate in races. |
| Bloodstock | A term used to describe the part of the racing industry which deals with racehorse breeding, be it at the sales, stud farms or elsewhere. |
| Boxed in | When a horse cannot obtain a clear run during a race due to other horses being in close proximiity. |
| Breeze-up | A sale in which unraced two-year-olds are ridden, galloped or ‘breezed’ along the racecourse. Most of the horses have been purchased as yearlings, and are then broken in and ridden in preparation for them galloping at the sale. |
| Bridle | A piece of tack that fits over a horse’s head and to which the bit and reins are attached. |
| Broodmare | A mare (female horse) at stud who is kept with the aim of producing a foal. |
| Brought down | Used to describe a horse who falls because of another horse, rather than falling independently. |
| Bumper | Also known as a National Hunt Flat race, and usually run over two miles without any obstacles. Commonly used as a way to give horses race experience before tackling hurdles and fences. |
| Chase | A race run over fences. |
| Cheekpieces | A form of headgear which consists of pieces of sheepskin placed on either side of the bridle and performs a similar job as blinkers in helping the horse to concentrate. |
| Claimer | A jockey who takes weight off a horse to compensate for their relative inexperience as a rider. Their claim is reduced the more winners they have. |
| Classic | Grade 1 contests confined to three-year-olds only in Britain. There are five Classics in Britain: 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, Oaks, Derby, St Leger. |
| Clerk of the course | The person responsible for the overall management of a racecourse on a raceday. |
| Colt | An uncastrated male horse aged four years old or younger. A colt older than four is referred to as an entire or horse (if still racing) or stallion (if at stud). |
| Connections | A term often used in place of a horse’s owners and trainer. |
| Dam | Mother of a horse. |
| Dead-heat | When the raceday judge cannot split two or more horses at the finishing-line, the prize is split between the horses and a dead-heat is called. |
| Declared | A formal notification from a trainer that notifies the racing authorities they intend to run a horse in a certain race. Horses are commonly declared at either the 24-hour or 48-hour stage prior to a race. |
| Draw | A term in Flat racing denoting a horse’s position in the starting stalls. |
| Fences | The type of obstacle jumped during chase races. There are different types of fence, including an open-ditch, the water jump and a plain fence. |
| Filly | A female horse aged four or younger. |
| Foal | A horse aged younger than one. |
| Form | A horse’s race record which is denoted by figures next to its name in a racecard. The form may also include some letters, for example F denoting a fall. |
| Furlong | An imperial unit of distance measurement in horseracing. A furlong is an eighth of a mile or a little more than 201 metres. |
| Gallop | A training strip used to exercise horses. Trainers have access to either their own private gallops or public gallops. |
| Gelding | A horse who has been castrated, often to improve its temperament. |
| Going | The underfoot conditions at the racecourse. |
| GoingStick | A device used to measure the underfoot conditions at the racecourse. |
| Graded race | The highest quality of race. Grade or Group 1 races are the highest quality, with Grade 2 and Grade 3 races a slightly lower quality. |
| Hacked up | A phrase used to describe a horse who has won comfortably. |
| Handicap | A type of race in which horses carry different weights depending on their overall rating, which is determined by the handicapper. |
| Handicapper | An official who assesses how horses should be rated, based on their previous performances. |
| Hood | Another type of headgear fitted over the horse’s head to cover its ears and muffle the noise of a raceday. |
| Hurdles | The obstacles jumped during a hurdle race. They are smaller than fences and therefore take less jumping. Sometimes referred to as flights. |
| In-running | Refers to anything that happens during a race, and could refer to in-running betting markets or in-running race comments. |
| Juvenile | A two-year-old horse. |
| Length | The length of a horse from its nose to the start of its tail, and a measurement used to describe the distances between horses at the finish line. |
| Listed race | A race type one step below Grade 3/Group 3 contests. |
| Maiden | A horse who has yet to win a race. |
| Mare | A female horse aged five or older. |
| Nap | A bet considered to be the most likely winner of all bets during the day. |
| National Hunt | Known as jumps racing. One of two racing codes, the other being Flat. National Hunt racing is best known in Britain and Ireland. |
| Neck | A measurement used to describe a winning margin in a close finish. A short head is the smallest winning margin. |
| Non-runner | A horse withdrawn from a race for which it had been declared. |
| Noseband | A strap that goes over a horse’s nose to secure the birdle. They can help prevent the horse from getting its tongue over the bit which can obstruct its breathing. |
| Novice | A race for horses who are in their first season in that code of racing. Can have age specific conditions, particularly on the Flat. |
| Nursery | A handicap race for two-year-old horses. |
| Odds | The chance offered for a selection to win. Also known as price. |
| Off the bridle | A term to describe a horse not travelling well. |
| On the bridle | A term to describe a horse travelling well. |
| One-paced | A term used to describe a horse who cannot quicken when the tempo of the race increases. |
| Open ditch | A fence with a ditch on the take-off side, forcing the horse to make a longer jump than at a plain fence. |
| Outsider | A horse whose chance of winning is considered unlikely by the market. |
| Pacemaker | A horse who races with the aim of ensuring the even tempo of race, thus helping a stablemate who would benefit. |
| Paddock | The area of a racecourse where horses are paraded before each race. Often referred to as the parade ring. |
| Parade ring | The area of a racecourse where horses are paraded before each race. Also referred to as the paddock. |
| Photo finish | A close race finish, requiring the raceday judge to consult a photo before declaring the winner or a dead-heat. A photo can also help determine the placings behind the winner. |
| Pulled up | A horse who is brought to a halt during a race by its jockey. |
| Pulling | A horse who is keen during a race and wants to go faster than its jockey is allowing. Often described as pulling for its head. |
| Punter | Someone who has had a bet on the outcome of a race. |
| Pushed out | A term to describe a horse who has gone clear of its rivals in a race after minimal urging from its jockey. |
| Racecard | A programme giving information about the races scheduled during a race meeting and the horses set to run in them. |
| Schooling | A term to describe a horse being trained and getting practice over obstacles. |
| Silks | An owner’s colours. |
| Sire | Father of a horse. |
| Sprinter | A horse who competes in races run over a short distance, usually over six furlongs or less. |
| Stallion | A male horse used for breeding. |
| Stalls | The box from which horses begin Flat races. |
| Staying on | A phrase frequently used by race commentators or in post-race comments referring to a horse who finished strongly during the closing stages. |
| Stewards’ inquiry | An inquiry held at the racecourse on a raceday after any given race. The panel is advised by the stewards. |
| Stud | An establishment set up for breeding of horses. Stallions are based at studs and are sent mares to breed with. |
| Tattersalls | The main auctioneer of racehorses in Britain and Ireland. |
| Thoroughbred | The breed of horse best known for its use in horseracing. |
| Tongue-tie | A strap or piece of stocking used to tie down a horse’s tongue to prevent the tongue getting over the bit which affects a horse’s breathing. |
| Triple Crown | To win the Flat Triple Crown in Britain, a horse must win either the 2,000 or 1,000 Guineas, either the Derby or the Oaks, and the St Leger. There is a staying chasers Triple Crown for jumps horses consisting of the Betfair Chase, the King George VI Chase and the Gold Cup. |
| Turn of foot | A term to describe marked exceleration during a race. |
| Under starter’s orders | Before a race, the starter brings the field of horses into order to prepare them for the start of the race. |
| Undulating | A track that does not have a flat terrain. Cheltenham is often referred to as an undulating track. |
| Visor | A type of headgear, much the same as blinkers, which limits a horse’s rearward vision to aid concentration. A visor differs from blinkers as it has a small slit in the eye cups. |
| Weighed in | Every horse in a race has to carry a certain amount of weight. To ensure it does, all jockeys must weight out both before and after a race. The ‘weighed in’ announcement made after the race means the result stands. |
| Whip | An instrument used by jockeys to help keep horses under control and to encourage them. |
| Yard | A term that refers to a trainer and their horses. Also referred to as a stable. |
| Yearling | A young horse between the age of one and two. |
Across the board: A bet on one horse to win, place, and show.
Here's a glossary of horse racing lingo to help you understand some of the more unusual words which have been adopted in horse racing. Horse racing dates back hundreds of years and over the journey it has developed a language all of its own. A horse who is trying to the best of his ability.
- A collection of t shirts inspired by my favourite horse racing colours. CHELTENHAM QUOTES NICKY HENDERSON ON ARKLE CONTENDER SHISHKIN 🗣️ 'He is in good form, has shown that he is class and has had a good run in.
- A horse under only a hand ride was not whipped by the jockey. Heavy Track: A grass racing surface that has received an extremely large amount of water and is an almost bog-like condition. Horse: Technically, a male horse five years old or greater is a 'horse'. A male horse under five years of.
Allowance or Allowance Race: A non-claiming event in which the racing secretary conditions weight allowances based on previous purse earnings and/or types of victories.
Also Eligible or 'AE': Horses entered into the field that will not run unless other horses are scratched.
Apprentice Jockey:A student jockey that will receive a weight allowance of varying degrees depending on his or her experience.
Backstretch: The straight part of the track opposite the finish line or the stable area.
Baby Race: A race for two year old horses, especially early in the season.
Blinkers: Eye equipment that limits a horse’s vision; generally used to help the horse concentrate on running and to reduce distraction.
Break Maiden: When a horse or rider wins for the first time.
Breeze: A term generally used to describe a workout in which a horse is easily running under a hold without encouragement from the rider.
Bridge jumper: A bettor that places large bets in the Place or Show pools on odds-on favorites.
Broodmare: A female thoroughbred that is used for breeding.
Broodmare dam: A mare that produces female progeny that are used for breeding.
Broodmare sire: A male horse that produces female progeny that are used for breeding.
Bug Boy:An apprentice jockey
Bull Ring: A small track where the oval is generally less than one mile and, thus, has very tight turns.
Buy the race: Using every single horse running in a specific race in an exotic wager.For example, if a player buys a Daily Double ticket for the 1st and 2nd race that is 8 with ALL, the bettor will have 'bought' the second race.
Carryover: Usually refers to money in the parimutuel pool for a Pick Six wager that is left over after a sequence fails to have a single player select all of the winners. For example, if there are no winning tickets for a Pick Six on a Friday at a track, the money left in the pool (minus the track take) is a considered a carryover and will be added to the pool for Saturday's Pick Six. Successive carryovers can lead to very large Pick Six pools.
Claiming Race: A race where each horse in the field has a price and can be purchased by any person that makes a valid claim prior to the running of the race.
Clocker: A person that times and/or rates workouts.
Clubhouse Turn: The first turn of races that begin on the frontstretch/homestretch.
Colt: A male horse.
Condition: To train a horse
Conditions:The circumstances under which a race will be run, such as: surface, distance, purse, and eligibilities.
Consolation:
A payout, typically in a Pick Six, where players without a full winning ticket still receive money. For example, a player that hits 5-of-6 races in the Pick 6 will typically collect a small consolation payout. Consolations are generally much smaller than the full payout.
Daily Double: A wager in which the player attempts to pick the winner of two sequential races with a single ticket.
Dam:The mother of a horse.
Dark:A day in which a track is not featuring live racing.
Derby:A stakes race for three year old horses.
Distance of ground: A route race or a race run around two turns.
Dog: A cone or other obstruction placed a specified distance from the rail of the turf course to keep horses from damaging that portion of the grass.
Eased: A horse that is pulled up or stopped prior to finishing the race
What Does Ts Mean On Racing Post
Exacta: A bet in which the player attempts to pick the 1st and 2nd place horse on one ticket.
Fast Track: Rating of a dirt track that is dry and hard.
Filly: A female horse
Fire Sale: A drastic reduction in the claiming price of a horse.
Foal: A newborn horse.
Form: The current condition of a horse; may also refer to The Daily Racing Form publication.
Fractions: Clocking at quarter-mile increments in either a race or a workout.
Front Runner: A horse that wants to run on or near the lead.
Furlong: One eighth of a mile.
Gelding: A castrated male horse.
Going: The condition of the racing surface.Dirt courses are generally rated Fast, Good, Muddy, or Sloppy.Turf courses are generally rated Firm, Good, Yielding, Soft, or Heavy.
Graded Race: A stakes race that is assigned a grade (I, II, or III) by the American Graded Stakes Committee based on the relative strength of the race as compared to all other races.This is the highest form of racing.
Half sister: A female horse out of the same dam as the other horse but with a different sire.Horses with the same sire but different dams are not considered half sisters or brothers.
Handicap: A race in which the racing secretary assigns weights designed to equalize the winning chances of the entrants; or to study horses’ records in order to determine the chances of each to win the race.
Handily: A fairly strenuous workout where the jockey urges the horse on but does not use the whip.
Handle: Total sum bet on a race or during an entire day.
Hand ride: A jockey that is urging a horse on by 'scrubbing' his hand up and down its neck.A horse under only a hand ride was not whipped by the jockey.
Heavy Track: A grass racing surface that has received an extremely large amount of water and is an almost bog-like condition.
Horse: Technically, a male horse five years old or greater is a 'horse'.A male horse under five years of age is technically a 'colt'.
In hand: A horse running under restraint.
Inquiry: An official investigation by the stewards of the running of the race to determine whether a foul was committed by a horse or jockey.
In the money: To finish in the top four; this generally entitles the owner to a share of the purse.In betting terms 'in the money' means to finish in the top three.
Irons: Stirrups
Jockey agent: An individual that obtains rides for a jockey.
Juvenile: A two year old horse.
Look of Eagles: A horse that has a confident look.John Henry had the Look of Eagles.
Lug In: A horse that bears (drifts towards the rail) in during the stretch run; usually the sign of a tired horse.
Maiden: A horse that has never won a race; or a race for horses that have never won a race.
Marathon: A race longer than 1 ¼ miles long.
Mare: A female horse aged five or older.
Middle distance: A race longer than seven furlongs but shorter than 1 1/8 miles.
Miler: A horse that prefers to race at or near a mile in distance.
Minus Pool: When enough money is bet on one horse that the pool is insufficient, after the track take, to pay the holders of the winning ticket the legal minimum odds.In this situation, the track is required to make up the difference to ensure that the bettors are paid the full amount.
Morning line odds: The odds set by the track prior to the opening of the pools.
Muddy Track: A dirt track that is soft, wet and holding.
Oaks: A stakes race for three year old fillies.
Objections: A claim of foul by a jockey following the race.
Odds: The chances of a horse to win a particular race based on the pari-mutuel wagering of the general public.The payouts for a $2 bet with corresponding odds are listed below:
Odds | $2 Payout | Odds | $2 Payout | Odds | $2 Payout |
1-9 | $2.10 | 3-2 | $5.00 | 5-1 | $12.00 |
1-5 | $2.40 | 8-5 | $5.20 | 6-1 | $14.00 |
2-5 | $2.80 | 9-5 | $5.60 | 8-1 | $18.00 |
1-2 | $3.00 | 2-1 | $6.00 | 10-1 | $22.00 |
3-5 | $3.20 | 5-2 | $7.00 | 12-1 | $26.00 |
4-5 | $3.60 | 3-1 | $8.00 | 15-1 | $32.00 |
Even | $4.00 | 7-2 | $9.00 | 20-1 | $42.00 |
6-5 | $4.40 | 4-1 | $10.00 | 30-1 | $62.00 |
7-5 | $4.80 | 9-2 | $11.00 | 50-1 | $102.00 |
Odds Board: The tote board, usually found in the infield.
Off the board: A horse that fails to finish in the money.
Off the pace: A horse that is lagging back in the early stages of the race.
Off-track: A racing surface that is anything other than Fast (Dirt) or Firm (Turf/Grass).
Optional Claimer: A race where the horses in the field may or may not be entered for a claiming price.
Overlay: A horse whose odds are higher than its actual chance of winning, as determined by the player.For example, if a player determines that horse A’s odds are 4/1 that he will win, but the current odds at the track offer the horse at 10/1, that horse would be considered an 'overlay'.Overlays are good, underlays are bad.
Pace: The speed of the leaders at each stage of the race.
Parimutuels: French system of wagering where winning bettors get all the money wagered by the losers, after a deduction of a percentage by the track (Take Out).
Pick 3 (or 4, 5, 6, etc.): An exotic wager which requires the player to pick the winner in successive races.
Post: Starting gate.
Quarter crack: An injury to the hoof of a horse.
Quarter pole: Post on the infield rail that indicates two furlongs to the finish line.
Rank: A horse that refuses to be rated early on in the race.
Rate: To restrain a horse early on in the race in order to conserve energy for the later stages.
Route: Generally a race that is run around two turns.
School: To train a horse, generally in the starting gate or the paddock.
Scratch: To withdraw a horse from a race.
Ts Meaning Horse Racing
Shadow roll: A roll of cloth placed across a horse's nose in order to block its vision of the ground and prevent it from jumping shadows.
Shake up: Urging by the jockey, either with his hands or the whip, to make the horse run faster.
Shipper: A horse that has traveled from one track to another to run in a race.
Shut out: When a player fails to make his bet at the window prior to the gate opening.
Sloppy track: A track that is wet, covered with puddles, but not yet 'muddy'.
Spit the bit: When a tired horse stops running hard.
Sprint: A short race, seven furlongs or less.
Stewards: Three person panel that determines whether or not any rules violations occurred during the race.
Superfecta: A wager in which the player attempts to select the order of the first four finishers in a race. Due to the difficulty of this wager, a winning superfecta wager generally pays out at high odds.
Tag: Claiming price. A horse entered for a 'tag' is entered in a claiming race.
Track Take: Money deducted from each pool for track revenue and taxes.
Trifecta: A wager in which the player selects the first three horses in a race in order.
Trip: The course followed by a horse and rider during the running of a race and describes the 'trouble' encountered. A horse that had a 'good trip' did not encounter any unusual difficulty. A 'bad trip' might involve racing wide, or being boxed in by other horses.
What Is Ts In Horse Racing
Turf course: A grass covered course.
What Does Ts Mean Horse Racing
Under wraps: A horse in which the rider is holding it back and intentionally keeping it from running at top speed.
Washed out: A nervous horse that is sweating.