It’s Monday again and time for the final installment (R-Z) of horse racing terminology, if you haven’t seen them already be sure to check out A-E and F-P. It’s the horse terms for the horse people & without all of the betting lingo.
Race Caller
The person who calls the race to spectators at the racecourse.
Racing Plate
A light, aluminum horse shoe (often with cleats for better traction) that is used for racing.
Rail Runner
A horse that likes to run on the inside of the track next to the rail.
Rank
A horse that is problematic or difficult to manage.
Ridgling
A male horse that is partially castrated.
Ringer
A runner entered in a race using another horse’s name. Generally a better runner replacing a worse one.
Roughie
An animal with a rough chance of winning a race.
Route
A race that is generally longer than 1 1/8 miles.
Router
A horse that likes and performs well over longer distances.
Saved Ground
When a horse has a lucky race, essentially they are able to travel inside on the inner rail & experienced no traffic.
Scale Of Weights
The fixed weights that are carried by a horse during a race. This is determined by age, distance of the race, sex and the time of year.
Scope
The future potential of a horse.
Scratch or Scratched
When a horse is taken out of a race before it starts, generally due to bad track conditions or poor health. A veterinarian has the authority to scratch a horse at any time.
Second Call
A horse on the deck for a jockey to ride should his primary mount be scratched.
Selling Race
A race in which the winner is sold immediately afterwards by auction.
Shadow Roll
A wool roll that is placed halfway up a horse’s face to keep them from spooking at their shadow.
Short Runner
A horse who has trouble staying the full distance of a race.
Show
The third finish position.
Sleeper
When a horse that has previously performed poorly is underrated in a race and unexpectedly wind.
Sloppy Track
A track condition when there is moisture & standing water on the surface, but the bottom footing is still firm.
Slow Track
A track condition between good & heavy, when both the surface and base are wet.
Soft Track
Used to describe a turf course that contains a large amount of moisture that causes horse’s feet to sink as they run.
Sprint
A short race that is less than a mile in distance.
Stakes Horse
A horse who runs mainly in stakes races.
Stakes Race
A racing event in which the owner generally pays a fee (or must be invited) to run their horse.
Stake
The prize purse for winning a stakes race that is paid to the owner.
Standing Start
Used in harness racing where runners start from a standing position with a barrier across the track instead of a starting gate.
Starter
The track employee who starts the race.
Starting Gate
A mechanical device with individual stalls that sits at the starting line of a race. The race starts when the doors are opened and the horses released.
Stayer or Slayer
A horse that excels at racing over long distances.
Steeplechase
A race course in which the horses must jump over a series of obstacles to reach the finish line.
Stewards
The track officials that manage the day’s racing by ensuring fair competition and imposition of penalties for breach of racing rules.
Stewards Enquiry
An inquiry into a race made by a steward.
Stickers
Caulks on horse shoes which give them better traction on muddy or soft race tracks.
Strapper or Attendant
A trainer’s assistant who works hands on directly with the horse, providing care and managing equipment.
Stretch Runner
A horse that speeds up as the race progresses.
Stretch Turn
The bend in the track just before the homestretch.
Sulky
A modern harness racing vehicle or driving rig.
Switch Leads or Change Leads
When a horse shifts their weight to one side or the other while they are in running stride. This can be done at will or on cue by the rider.
Track Condition
The overall condition of the racetrack surface.
Track Record
The fastest time run over a specific distance at a particular track.
Trail or Sit
When a horse races just behind another horse.
Trainer
The person who is responsible for a horses care and training for a race. They must hold a license or permit to be allowed to train race horses.
Trotting
Used for harness racing in general, but it also describes a specific (diagonal) gait of a racehorse.
Under Wraps
When a horse is held under tight restraint during a workout or a race.
Walkover
A race in which there is only one runner.
Washed Out or Lathered Up
When a horse becomes extremely nervous before a race and sweats heavily prior to starting.
Weigh In or Out
The certification of a rider’s weight before & after a race by the clerk of scales. Jockeys are weighed fully dressed with their equipment (which can vary by location). They must weigh the same before and after or they can be disqualified from the race.
Weight-For-Age
The weight a horse is allocated to carry varies based on several factors, one of them being age. This allows horses of different ages & sexes to compete on more equal terms.
Win
A first place finish.
Wire
The finish line.
Yearling
A horse in their second calendar year of life. This starts after January 1st of the year after they are born.
Yielding
Used to describe a turf course that is holding a great deal of moisture that causes the horses feet to sink into it.
Final Installment
That’s it for the racing terminology (and be sure to visit A-E and F-P before you go. If it’s other horse terminology you are looking for why not try some general terms, dressage terminology or if you prefer western show lingo.