Horse Racing Betting Terminology – Horse Racing Terms Explained
If you are new to horse racing, some of the terms in the sport can seem confusing and like a foreign language. Stake.com is committed to providing our community with the best resources and sports betting guides so you can make the best and most informed bets.
Join us as we explore the horse racing terms you need to know to bet wisely at our sportsbook.
Horse Racing Betting Terminology
Whether you are an experienced betting veteran or new to horse racing, knowing the terminology and studying the racing schedule is the key to success! The key terms in the glossary can help you fully understand the daily schedule at Stake Sportsbook .
Apprentice Jockey
These jockeys are between the ages of 16 and 25. They have not yet turned professional and compete primarily during the flat racing season.
Allowance Race
Allowance races, also known as conditional races, are an upgraded version of pre-sale races. They are not handicap races, but they also have certain conditions. For example, amateur jockeys may put less weight on their horses, or mares may carry less weight.
Ante-Post
Antelope bets are placed before a horse race actually starts, sometimes months in advance. If the horse listed in the antelope bet does not start the race, you lose the bet.
Maroon (Bay)
This is a common coat color for purebred horses. The coat is reddish brown with a black mane.
Blanket Finish
This term is used to describe a finish where the margins are so small that a blanket can cover the horses at the finish. You may also hear the term photo finish, which means the margins are so small that a still photo can cover the horses at the finish.
Blinkers
A blindfold is a piece of headgear worn on a racehorse to help it focus on the race and avoid being distracted by other racehorses around it.
Breeder
A person or institution that breeds purebred horses. Outstanding breeders can charge huge fees for their “studs”.
Claiming Race
A pre-sale race is a horse race held for horses that are currently for sale.
Colt
A colt is a young male purebred horse. He is under 5 years old and is not castrated. Colts aged 3 and over can compete in major events such as the Pride Stakes.
Stallion
A stallion, also called a “stud,” is a male horse that is 4 years old or older.
Filly
A filly is a female foal, between 2 and 4 years old, who is not old or mature enough to be called a female horse.
Fixed Odds
Once you place a bet on a horse you think may win, your odds are fixed and will not be affected even if prices change over time.
Flat Race
Flat racing does not involve jumping, hurdles or obstacles. Flat racing is done over a variety of distances, with shorter flat races being called sprint races. These races are for horses that can complete the 5 to 8 furlongs in the shortest amount of time.
Furlong
Most horse races are measured in miles or furlongs. A furlong is one-eighth of a mile (220 yards).
Graded Race
Graded races are unrestricted U.S. horse racing events with a minimum purse of $100,000 or more. Races are run at least twice under identical track conditions and on the same track to achieve graded status as determined by the U.S. Graded Championship Committee.
Handicap
Handicap racing creates fair racing conditions by using different weights. Horses of different abilities compete against each other, with the better horses being required to carry more weight.
Interim Dividends
In pool betting (see Parlay betting), the winnings are called dividends and are shown as a decimal. You may see payouts referred to as interim dividends, which are held until the final result is officially announced. The reason for holding may be that there is some sort of directors’ inquiry.
Juvenile
Young horses are 2-year-old thoroughbreds that compete in flat races and 3-year-olds that compete in national show jumping events.
Lay
A “Don’t Win” bet is a bet on a horse not to win. This type of bet is the opposite of a bet on a winning horse.
Maiden Race
A horse that has not won a race is one that has not won a race. Races have multiple race lengths and race conditions. In these races, betting odds can be more volatile because the horses are generally average.
Nap
Nap is a term used to describe a bettor’s best bet of the day. Bettors will refer to their most likely winning bet of the day as winning their daily “Nap”.
Pari-mutuel
This type of system betting is also called “tote”, where the pool is made up of stakes provided by punters. The payout in the betting pool is determined by the total stakes, with less taxes and fees (which refer to the fees charged by the tote organizer).
Place
You can back a horse to both “get a place” and win the championship. The number of places offered depends on the size of the race. Races with 5 to 7 horses offer 2 places, races with 8 to 15 horses offer 3 places, and larger races often offer 4 or even 5 places, such as special races such as the Grand National.
Prep Race
A warm-up or preparatory race is usually held to help a horse find his form before an important race.
Barrier
The gate is the gate that the horses are in at the start. Most shorter races start from a gate, while longer races will have horses grouped closely together at the start. The starting positions on some tracks can vary, and runners on some tracks have a better chance of winning than on others.
Rail
White fence outside the track.
Silks
Livery refers to the colorful clothing worn by each rider participating in a horse race. Livery helps commentators and bettors distinguish competitors. Each owner of a racehorse has a specific livery color and can wear it in the race when any stable he/she is racing.
Stake
The amount you choose to bet on a horse. Some punters will split their bankroll into 100 parts and place only one bet on each horse, which is a responsible way to gamble.
Stewards
Directors oversee all elements of horse racing. They are responsible for ensuring that all of the rules of horse racing are followed and that they comply with the governing bodies that oversee the sport. They may also help decide the results of “photo sprints” or post-race penalties.
Stewards’ Inquiry/Protest
The directors investigate complaints of wrongdoing, for example, one horse unfairly interfering with another during a race.
Track Surface
The track surface is related to the type of surface the racecourse is on. There are all-weather tracks and turf tracks. The latter are more likely to become muddy and soft if it rains hard.
Trainer
A trainer is an individual who helps prepare racehorses for racing. Racehorses usually live in the trainer’s stable, and the trainer does most of the preparation, while a racing assistant usually oversees the running of the stable.
Trifecta
A top three bet (also known as a trifecta) involves correctly predicting the horses that will finish first, second and third in a race. The key is that the winning order must be the exact same; any other winning order will not be profitable. Check out our Specials guide for more information.
Wager
Betting on the outcome of a match
Weanling
A racehorse between 6 and 12 months old.
Weight
The weight differential in handicap races can create a more level playing field, with higher-rated horses being given a handicap and carrying more weight than their lower-ranked rivals.
Win
You can bet on the horse you think will cross the finish line first.
Winkers
A sheepskin face hoop attached to the cheek straps of the reins helps the horse focus on running forward.
Yearling
A racehorse between 1 and 2 years old.
Yielding/soft
The lawn surface has become soft due to rain.
For more information, read our How to Bet on Horse Racing blog and our guide to the biggest horse racing events around the world .
Remember that you can only bet with money that you can afford to spend, and bet safely at Stake . Use our Monthly Budget Calculator to predict your spending habits, and learn more online betting tips with our Responsible Gambling Guide .