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What Does It Mean?

We have hundreds of horse racing terms to bring you up to speed.

Home Media Centre Resources Guide To Betting Racing Jargon Buster

Racing Jargon Buster

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Betting

All the betting terminology you need to know to convince your mates you're a pro:

A

Accumulator

Betting Term: A bet than involves more than one horse or race, and usually offers a much higher return. All of your choices will need to be successful in order to win the bet.

Across The Board

Betting Term: Pick one horse who will either win, place or show in any race.

Ante Post

Betting Term: Placing bets prior to a race declaration. Usually used in major races, and can secure a bigger win due to a risk factor that the horse you bet on may not actually feature in the race.

B

Backed (Backed-In)

Betting Term: If a lot of bets have been placed on a horse subsequently lowering the odds offered.

Banker Exacta (Banker Forecast).

Betting Term: Pick one horse who win in any race, and any number of horses who will finish in second place.

Bar

Betting Term: The lowest odds for horses not mentioned in betting forecasts.

Bismarck

Betting Term: For a favourite that bookmakers actually expect to lose, so are therefore happy to take bets on.

Board Prices

Betting Term: The prices displayed on boards by official bookmakers at the course.

Bottle

Betting Term: Slang for 2-1 odds.

Bridge Jumper

Betting Term: A person who places large bets in the placepot pools on odds-on favourites.

Burlington Bertie

Betting Term: Slang for 100-30 odds.

C

Canadian

Betting Term: Pick five horses (selections), across five races, to create 26 bets. Includes 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and a fivefold accumulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return. AKA Super Yankee

Carpet

Betting Term: Slang for 3-1 odds. Double carpet is slang for 33-1 odds.

Cash out

Betting Term: If an online bet has been placed, you have the option to 'cash out' before the bet is complete to prevent any further loss.

Cockle

Betting Term: Slang for 10-1 odds.

Consolation

Betting Term: If a punter bets in a Pick Six and gets a portion of the bets correct, they will receive a consolation payout which is much smaller than the full payout if all of their bets were correct.

D

Daily Double

Betting Term: Pick two horses that will win in two sequential races.

Decimal odds

Betting Term: The odds used on the Tote instead of the traditional fractional odds.

Dividend

Betting Term: The amount that a winning or placed horse returns for every £1 bet.

Double

Betting Term: Pick two horses that will win in two different races. The winnings from the first bet becomes your stake for the second bet.

Drifting

Betting Term: When odds for a horse get bigger due to lack of support from the market, meaning the horse is 'on the drift'.

Dual Forecast

Betting Term: Pick two horses (in either order) who will finish in the top two places of the race.

E

Each Way

Betting Term: Pick one horse that will either win or place in any race. Counts as two bets one for the win, and one for placing).

Ear’ole

Betting Term: Slang for 6-4 odds.

Enin

Betting Term: Slang for 9-1 odds.

Even Money

Betting Term: When your betting stake returns the same amount in winnings (1-1 odds).

Exacta

Betting Term: Pick two horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top two places of the race. AKA First Two / Straight Forecast

F

First Three

Betting Term: Pick three horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top three places of the race. AKA Trifecta / Tricast

First Two

Betting Term: Pick two horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top two places of the race. AKA Exacta / Straight Forecast

Fold

Betting Term: Each 'fold' is a selection in an accumulator bet. For example, a fivefold would be 1 accumulator bet with 5 selections that all must win to get a return.

G

Goliath

Betting Term: Pick eight horses (selections), across eight races, to create 247 bets. Includes 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixholds, 8 sevenholds and an accumulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

H

Handful

Betting Term: Slang for 5-1 odds.

Hedging

Betting Term: Betting against your original outcome in order to guarentee a win - "Hedging your bets".

Heinz

Betting Term: Pick six horses (selections), across six races, to create 57 bets. Includes 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and an acummulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

I

In-Running

Betting Betting Term: Betting on the outcome of the race whilst the race is happening. Odds change rapidly as the race happens.

J

Jackpot

Betting Term: A type of tote bet that involves selecting the winners of the first six races at a selected race meeting. Similar to Placepot, but only available at selected meetings.

L

Lay

Betting Term: A term for when a bookmaker accepts a bet.

Long shot

Betting Term: A horse that is unlikely to win and has high odds.

Lucky 15

Betting Term: Pick four horses (selections), across four races, to create 15 bets. Includes 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 fourfold. Only 1 horse needs to win to get any return.

Lucky 31

Betting Term: Pick five horses (selections), across five races, to create 31 bets. Includes 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and a fivefold accumulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

Lucky 63

Betting Term: Pick six horses (selections), across six races, to create 63 bets. Includes 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and an acummulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

M

Minus Pool

Betting Term: When there are enough bets on a horse that the pool is insuffcient to pay out for winning tickets after the track take. The track would be required in this situation to make up the difference and pay out for the winnings.

Monkey

Betting Term: Slang for £500

N

Neves

Betting Term: Slang for 7-1 odds.

O

Odds Against

Betting Term: The case for the majority of horses each race, where the money you receive back will be of a greater amount than the original stake.

Odds On

Betting Term: Where the winnings of the bet you place will be less that the stake you put on.

P

Patent

Betting Term: Pick three horses (selections), across three races, to create 7 bets. Includes 3 singles, 3 doubles and a treble. Only 1 horse needs to win to get any return.

Placepot

Betting Term: Pick six horses that will place in each of the first six races.

Pony

Betting Term: Slang for £25.

Q

Quadpot

Betting Term: Pick four horses that will place in race 3, 4, 5 and 6.

R

Return

Betting Term: The total amount you receive from winning your bet (the original stake and your winnings)

Roof

Betting Term: Slang for 4-1 odds.

Rule 4

Betting Term: A commonly invoked betting rule, for if a horse has withdrawn without enough time to change odds for that race, so all other odds are reduced to compensate for the horse that withdrew.

S

Short Price

Betting Term: When there are low odds, meaning you will get very little back from your initial stake.

Shortening odds

Betting Term: When a bookmaker reduces the odds on a particular horse.

Shut out

Betting Term: When a punter fails to make their bet before the gates open and the race begins.

Single

Betting Term: Pick one horse who will win any race. AKA Win Only Bet

Starting Price

Betting Term: Also known as SP, Starting Price are the final odds just as the race is about to begin.

Steaming

Betting Term: Describes the change in the price of a horse that has seen significant shortening in its odds.

Straight Forecast

Betting Term: Pick two horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top two places of the race. AKA Exacta / First Two

Super Heinz

Betting Term: Pick seven horses (selections), across seven races, to create 120 bets. Includes 21 doubles, 25 trebles, 21 fivefolds, 7 sixfolds and an accumulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

Super Yankee

Superfecta

Betting Term: Pick four horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top four places of the race.

T

Treble

Betting Term: Pick three horses that will win in three different races. The winnings from the first bet becomes your stake for the second bet, and your winnings from your second bet become the stake for your third bet.

Tricast

Betting Term: Pick three horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top three places of the race. AKA First Three / Trifecta

Trifecta

Betting Term: Pick three horses (in the correct order) who will finish in the top three places of the race. AKA First Three / Tricast

Trixie

Betting Term: Pick four horses (selections), across four races, to create 4 bets. Includes 3 doubles and a treble. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

Two from three

Betting Term: Pick two horses who will finish in the top three places of the race.

W

Win Only Bet

Betting Term: Pick one horse who will win any race. AKA Single.

X

Xis

Betting Term: Slang for 6-1 odds.

Y

Yankee

Betting Term: Pick four horses (selections), across four races, to create 11 bets. Includes 6 doubles, 4 trebles and a 4 fold accumulator. At least 2 horses need to win to get any return.

Racing

As well as some horse racing terminology to get through the day:

A

Abandoned

When a race meeting has to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

All-Weather Track

An artificial racing track that can be raced on all year round, incuding in adverse weather conditions. ARC has four all-weather tracks - Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton.

Allowance

Allowance is a weight concession granted to novice riders, to compensate for inexperience compared to other riders.

Also Eligible (AE)

Horses that are eligible and entered into the field but won't run unless another horse drops out.

Apprentice

A young jockey who is associated with a licensed trainer. Apprentices are granted allowance when racing against professional jockeys.

At The Post

When the horses arrive at the starting point prior to the race, they are 'at the post'.

B

Banker

The favourite horse to win the race.

Bit

Part of the equipment worn by the horse during a race, the bit is the metal part of the bridle that sits inside the horses mouth.

Blinkers

Equipment worn by the horse, over the head and around the eyes that limits the horses vision with the aim of reducing distractions and increasing focus.

Bookmaker

An inidividual or company who is licensed to accept bets.

Boxed in

During a race when a horse cannot overtake due to other horses blocking their way.

Break Maiden

The name given when a horse or rider obtain their first win.

Breeze

When a horse is galloping at a reasonable speed without further encouragement from the rider.

Bridle

Equipment worn by the horse during the race and used by the jockey to control it.

Broodmare

Thoroughbred horses who are used for breeding.

Bug Boy

Another term for an apprentice.

Bumper

A National Hunt Flat Race, where inexperienced jump horses can gain experience before attempting jumps.

Bumping

An occurence in a race where two horses collide. Can result in a Stewards Enquiry if it takes place during a crucial part of the race.

C

Carryover

Is any money left unclaimed within a parimutuel (tote) pool for a Pick Six wager, that carries over to the next race days pool.

Chaser

A horse that runs in National Hunt Steeplechase races.

Checked

A moment during a race where a horses run is temporarily blocked by another horse.

Classics

A group of 5 historic flat races - the 1,000 Guineas, the 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks, the Derby and the St Leger.

Clerk of the Course

The racecourse official responsible for the racecourse management, and running each race day.

Co-Favourite

Horses that are equally likely to win, and share the lowest odds. Also known as "Joint-Favourites".

Colt

A male horse below five years of age.

Conditional Jockey

A jockey at the same level as an apprentice but also allowed to jump.

Course Specialist

Is in relation to a horse that has a good track record at a specific race.

Cut in the ground

Ground condition: When the racing surface has been softened by rain.

D

Dam

The mother of a horse.

Declared

When a horse is confirmed for a race during the final declarations stage.

Deductions

When a horse is withdrawn from a race after betting has already started, deductions are taken out of the bets in proportion to the odds of the horse.

Dog

An obstruction (usually a cone) that keeps horses from damaging certain portions of grass.

Draw

Refers to the starting position in the stalls of a flat race. Having an advantageous draw is said to be 'Well Drawn'.

Dwell

When a horse starts a race slowly.

E

Eased

Refers to a horse that is stopped before it can finish the race.

F

Fancied

Term for a horse who is expected to win.

Favourite

The horse with the best odds, who is expected to win the race.

Filly

A female horse that is up to four years old.

Fixture

Another name for the race meeting.

Flat Racing

Racing on a track without any obstacles.

Foal

A newborn horse before it becomes a yearling.

Form

The previous record and current condition of a horse.

Front Runner

A horse that attempts to take the lead in a race and stay there.

Furlong

A measurement - 220 yards or an eighth of a mile.

G

Gelding

A male horse that has been castrated so it is easier to train. Some top flat races do not allow geldings to compete, as the race is important for identifying potential breeders.

General Stud Book

Is a register of all thoroughbred horses, which is maintained by Weatherbys.

Going

Describes the condition of the racing surface. This can range from heavy to firm.

Green

The name given to an inexperienced or immature horse.

Group / Graded races

The term for the classifications of races depending on their prestige and prize money.

Group 1 (Flat) / Grade 1 (Jumps)

The highest category of race in UK racing.

H

Hacked Up

A term for a horse who is winning easily.

Handicap

A racing category where each horse is allocated a rating on previous performance, and carries a corresponding weight to their rating to ensure fair competition out on the track.

Handicapper

The BHA official responsible for allocating a handicap rating to each horse, and the corresponding weight that needs to be carried.

Heavy Track

When a turf track has taken on a large amount of water, making the ground muddy and bog-like.

I

In The Money

Referring to a horse being in the top four, as this usually means the owners will be entitled to some prize money.

J

Jolly

Another term for a favourite horse in a race.

Judge

The Racecourse official who decides the finishing order and is responsible for declaring it.

Juvenile

A two-year-old horse.

Juvenile hurdler

The youngest category of hurdlers for horses that turn four years old during the time they start hurdling.

L

Left-handed track

Race track where races are run in an anti-clockwise direction.

Listed Race

A classification of race just below Groups and Grades.

Lug In

Refers to when a horse drifts on the track towards the rail during the final run. Is generally regarded to be a sign of a tired horse.

M

Maiden

Can refer to both a horse that has yet to win a race, and a race which is strictly for horses who have yet to win a race.

Marathon

The term for a race that is longer than a mile and a quarter long.

Mare

A female horse that is aged five years old or above.

Middle Distance

A race on a flat track that is between seven furlongs and 1 mile 6 furlongs are classes as middle distances.

Minimum trip

Is the shortest race distance possible, which is five furlongs on a flat track, and two miles on a jump track.

N

Nap

The best bet of the day from a tipster on any given day.

National Hunt

Also known as Jumps Racing, where horses race over obstacles on the track.

Non Runner

A horse that was declared to race, but has to withdraw prior to the race beginning.

Nursery

A handicap flat race for horses that are under the age of two.

O

Objection

When a jockey makes a complaint about another jockey's conduct during a race.

Odds

Shows the chance of that selection (horse) winning, and indicates how much money you will get back for your stake if that horse wins.

Off the Bit / On the Bit

Refers to if the horse still has the bridle in its mouth whilst racing.

Off The Pace

Term for when a horse falls behind the front runners at the start of a race.

Open Ditch

An obstacle in jump racing, that has a ditch on the approach to the fence.

P

Paddock

Part of the course which contains the parade ring and winner enclosure, and where people affliated with the racing horses will gather before each race.

Parade Ring

A circular area where horses are paraded around before the race, so that racegoers can see them, before being released to get in starting positions.

Parimutuel Betting

The technical term for betting in to a pool which is split between the winning bets and a percentage taken by the track.

Plate

The name for a horse's racing shoe.

Post

The starting gate for the start of the race.

Punter

Is a person who places a bet or gambles.

R

Racecard

The programme for the day's races, and includes loads of valuable information such as time, jockeys, horses and their previous racing history.

Rate

The term given to when a jockey makes a horse hold back early on in a race so that it can conserve energy for later on in the race.

Right-handed track

Race track where races are run in a clockwise direction.

S

Scope

The potential of any given horse.

Scratch

Term for when a horse is withdrawn from a race.

Shadow roll

Part of the equipment used on the horse during a race. A piece of cloth rolled up and placed across the horses nose to block its view of the ground, which should stop it jumping at shadows.

Sire

The father of a horse.

Spit the bit

A term that describes when a tired horse stops running hard.

Sprint

A form of race that is a distance of seven furlongs or less.

Stallion

A male breeding horse.

Stalls handler

A member of the track team who move the stalls to the correct place, and load horses into the stalls for flat races.

Starter

The track official who is responsible for starting each race.

Staying on

A term for when a horse has a strong finish to a race. Which can be an indicator of good stamina.

Steeplechasing

A form of Jump Racing where horses race over different obstacles like fences and open ditches.

Stewards

The officials that ensure the rules are adhered to, and make the final say in if there have been any violations.

Stewards’ Enquiry

Held by stewards to deliberate and decide if rules of racing have been broken during a race.

Stipendiary Steward

AKA a Stipe. Professionals employed by the BHA that attend each racing fixture to offer knowledge and support to the stewards.

T

Thoroughbred

The breed of horse which is used for racing. Fun fact - all thoroughbreds birthdays are on the 1st January.

Tic-Tac

Refers to the sign language or hand signals used by bookmakers to communicate with each other about changes to odds.

Tote

All betting stakes for a particular bet are pooled together, and winnings are split out from the pool. Profits made from the Tote are put back into the horse racing industry.

Track Take

The money that is taken from each pool by the track revenue and taxes.

Trainer

The licensed individual who is responsible for training, preparing and looking after a horse.

Triple Crown

Refers to a colt that wins the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger, or a fillie that wins the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Leger. An extremely rare feat.

Turn of foot

Refers to the ability for a horse to accelerate during the final stages of a race.

U

Under Order

Refers to before the race begins when the horses are waiting in the stalls.

Under wraps

Refers to when a jockey is intentionally holding a horse back from racing at it's top speed.

V

Visor

A similar piece of equipment to blinkers, but with an additional slit in each eye cup.

W

Walkover

A race that only involves one jockey and one horse. Both must pass the winning post to be declared the winner.

Weighed in

The term shouted to officially declare the race result.

Weighing in/out

Every jockey must be weighed on the official weighing scales before and after the race to confirm they are carrying the correct weight for their horse.