Horse Racing Terminology

If you are interested in horse racing, you will want to learn the terminology. We will have a vocabulary list of terminology as it is related to the different aspects of horse racing.

Terminology related to the horse:

Colt: A male horse under 5 years of age.
Dam: The mother of the horse.
Filly: A female horse up to and including the age of 4.
Foal: Newly born thoroughbred, or until weaned. Can be a male horse or a female horse.
Gelding: Castrated male horse.
Maiden: A horse who has not won a race. Also used to describe a non-winning rider.
Sire: The father of the horse.
Stallion: An entire male horse.
Stud: Male horse used in breeding. Also is a breeding farm.
Yearling: Thoroughbred between the first New Year's Day after being foaled and the following January 1.

Terminology related to the track:

Paddock: A structure or area where the horses are saddled and viewed before post time.
Post: The starting point of the race or a position in the starting gate.
Post Parade: Horses going from the paddock to the starting gate passing the stands.
Post Position: The location of the stall in the starting gate from which a horse will start the race.
Totalisator: Machine used to sell and record betting tickets and shows odds.
Also figures and displays payoff figures on a totalisator board.
Track Record: The fastest time at various distances recorded at a particular track.

Terminology related to the jockey:

Jockey: The rider on the horse.
Silks: Jacket and cap worn by the jockey which designates the owner of the horse.
Set Down: To describe when a jockey has been suspended.
Post: The starting point of the race or a position in the starting gate.
Stick: A jockey's whip.

Terminology related to the race:

Also Ran: A horse that finishes out of the money.
Dead Heat: Two or more horses finishing in an exact tie at the wire.
Entry: Two or more horses owned by the same stable or in some cases trained by the same trainer and thus running as a single betting unit. A bet on one is a bet for both.
Field: The horses in a race.
Flat Race: Race on level ground as opposed to a hurdles race or steeplechase racing.
Furlong: One eighth of a mile; 220 Yards; 660 feet.

Terminology related to betting/wagering:

Daily Double: Type of wagering calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second races.
Trifecta: A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order.
Claiming Race: The horses may be purchased by a qualified, licensed person for the claiming price listed in that race.
Stakes Race: A race usually a feature race, for which an owner must pay a fee to run a horse.

Terminology related to horse racing occupations.

Ferrier: Blacksmith.
Valet: Person who attends riders and keeps their wardrobe and equipment in order.

Terminology related to horse diseases.

Blood Worms: Parasites that get into the blood stream.
Laminitis: Inflammation under horny wall of foot.

Horse racing terminology uses vocabulary not generally used in everyday conversations. If you are interested in horse racing, then you will need to study horse racing terminology. The above is just a small sampling of horse racing terminology. If you are interested in a more extensive list of horse racing terminology, I would refer you to "The American Racing Manual". This book is considered by many as the official encyclopedia of thoroughbred racing and is by DRF Press.

By Pasquale Vannucci

www.horsesvillage.com

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