30 Must-Know Horse Racing Terms, Phrases and Slang

Saddle up, young equestrians, and gallop into the thrilling universe of horse racing!

Ever wonder what makes race watchers shout and jockeys hustle for the finish line?

From “Furlong” to “Trifecta,” these 30 snappy terms will turn your cheers into the talk of the track.

Ready to talk the trot? Hold your horses, ’cause here we go!

Must-Know Horse Racing Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Blinkers
2. Colt
3. Dam
4. Furlong
5. Gait
6. Handicap
7. Infield
8. Jockey
9. Maiden
10. Mare
11. Neck
12. Odds
13. Paddock
14. Post position
15. Quarter pole
16. Rail
17. Saddle
18. Silks
19. Stakes
20. Stud
21. Tote board
22. Track
23. Trifecta
24. Whip
25. Win
26. Yearling
27. Breakaway
28. Claiming race
29. Daily double
30. Harness racing

#1 Blinkers

A piece of horse tack that limits a horse’s range of vision to prevent distractions, allowing it to focus on the race. This gear is especially useful for horses that are prone to spooking or losing concentration.

#2 Colt

A young male horse under the age of five; once a colt turns five, he is referred to as a horse. In racing, colts are often considered for their potential as both racers and later as sires.

#3 Dam

The female parent of a horse. In breeding terms, the dam’s lineage is carefully considered as it significantly contributes to the traits and potential ability of the offspring.

#4 Furlong

A measure of distance in horse racing; one furlong equals 1/8th of a mile or 220 yards. Races are often described by the number of furlongs they cover, such as a ‘six-furlong sprint.’

#5 Gait

The manner or pace at which a horse moves, particularly when racing. Common gaits include the walk, trot, canter, and gallop, with the latter being the fastest and used in flat racing.

#6 Handicap

A race where horses carry different weights assigned by a handicapper, based on their past performances, to level the field. The theory is that all horses then have an equal chance of winning.

#7 Infield

The area within the racetrack’s oval, often used for spectator activities and viewing. In many racetracks, the infield is a popular location for picnics and social gatherings during races, providing a unique vantage point of the competition.

#8 Jockey

A professional rider trained to race horses, typically in thoroughbred horse racing. Jockeys are key figures in racing strategies, using their skills to guide and motivate the horse, manage speed and stamina, and navigate through the field to win races.

#9 Maiden

A term used for a horse that has never won a race. Maiden races are reserved for these horses to give them a chance to break their winless status against other non-winners.

#10 Mare

A female horse over the age of five. Before this age, she would be referred to as a filly. Mares often compete in races specific to their gender and can later become broodmares.

#11 Neck

A margin of victory or distance between horses in a race. One horse winning by a neck means it was a close race, with the victor only ahead by the length of its neck.

#12 Odds

The betting ratio that reflects the likelihood of a horse winning a race. Lower odds indicate a higher chance of winning, while higher odds suggest a less favored horse.

#13 Paddock

The area of a racetrack where horses are saddled and kept before the race. It’s a space for last-minute preparations and where spectators can view the horses up close.

#14 Post position

The starting spot of a horse in the gate. Post position can affect a horse’s strategy and chances; for example, an inside post can be advantageous in a short race.

#15 Quarter pole

A marker on the racetrack indicating one quarter of a mile is left to the finish line. It’s a critical point where jockeys begin their final push.

#16 Rail

The innermost boundary of the racetrack, closest to the infield. Being on the rail is often considered advantageous in horse racing because it represents the shortest path around the track. However, it requires skillful navigation by the jockey to maintain position and avoid being boxed in by other competitors.

#17 Saddle

A piece of equipment placed on a horse’s back to provide the jockey with a secure seat during the race. It is lightweight and designed to not impede the horse’s performance.

#18 Silks

The brightly colored and patterned jacket and cap worn by jockeys to distinguish themselves and the horse’s owner. Each set of silks is unique and registered to the owner.

#19 Stakes

A term used for races where the owners of the participating horses contribute to the prize pool by paying an entry fee. Stakes races are typically high-level competitions with larger purses.

#20 Stud

Refers to a male horse used for breeding purposes. A successful racehorse may retire to become a stud, producing offspring that can inherit their speed and ability.

#21 Tote board

The large digital or electronic display board found at racetracks that shows information such as betting odds, race results, and payouts to bettors.

#22 Track

The oval course where horse races are run. Tracks can have different surfaces, like dirt, turf, or synthetic materials, each affecting the race differently.

#23 Trifecta

A type of bet where the bettor must predict the first, second, and third place finishers of a race in the exact order. It’s a high-risk, high-reward wager that can yield substantial payouts.

#24 Whip

An essential tool in horse racing, a whip is carried by jockeys during races to encourage horses to run faster toward the finish line. Its use is controversial and subject to strict regulations to prevent animal abuse.

#25 Win

In horse racing, a win bet is the most straightforward wager where the bettor picks a single horse to finish first in the race. It offers higher payouts than place or show bets but with greater risk.

#26 Yearling

A yearling is a young horse between one and two years old, not yet old enough to race. At this age, they often enter training and may be sold at yearling auctions for future racing prospects.

#27 Breakaway

In harness racing, a breakaway refers to a situation where a horse breaks its stride and starts to gallop, which is against the rules. Horses must quickly return to the approved gait or risk disqualification.

#28 Claiming race

A claiming race is a type of horse race where all the horses running can be purchased (claimed) for a set price before the race begins. It’s a way to keep competition level by matching similarly valued horses.

#29 Daily double

A wager in horse racing where bettors must correctly pick the winners of two consecutive races, typically the first two of the day. It’s a popular betting type for its potentially higher payouts from a single stake.

#30 Harness racing

A type of horse racing where horses race at a specific gait, either trotting or pacing. Harness racing emphasizes the endurance and speed of the horse at a controlled gait, and the skill of the driver in managing the race strategy.

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