Most horse races are handicapped. The handicap is the weight a horse carries. The goal is to make the event competitive by assigning a burden for each animal per their talent level. Theoretically, less talented horses have lighter weight during the race. Why are some horse races handicapped? Why do Read more…
Kentucky Derby Our credibility would have crumbled if we didn’t put the planet’s most famous horse race on the number 1 spot. The Kentucky Derby started in 1875, is the primary leg of the Triple Crown, and is held on the first Saturday of May every year. What are the Read more…
How are horses given weights? Race horses running in handicap or allowance races will be given a weight before they run. This is a combination of lead weights strapped to the horses saddle plus the weight of the jockey and their equipment. How do they add weight for horse racing? Read more…
The main Classics and Championship races (such as The Derby and Cheltenham Gold Cup), are all run off level weights and are not handicaps. The most famous handicap in the world is the Grand National but other notable handicap races include the Lincoln Handicap and Melbourne Cup and Lincoln. Is Read more…
A handicap is a race where each horse is allocated a weight, according to its ability, in an attempt to equalise every horse’s chance of winning. Handicaps are run on the flat and over jumps. Handicapping is based on the idea that the weight a horse carries ultimately affects the Read more…
34 inches to 38 inches. The “B” division recognizes horses over 34 inches to 38 inches. Horses in this registry are given temporary registrations when they are juveniles. They receive permanent registration at three years of age after being measured for height to determine what division they will be placed Read more…
Most racehorses retire by the time they reach seven. However, others continue racing successfully past that time. Horses can keep running until they are no longer competitive; horses have no specific retirement age. What is the lifespan of a racehorse? 25-30 yearsThe majority of racehorses will have a racing career Read more…
Start Type (Harness racing only) – MS = mobile start and SS = standing start (tab.com.au, DFS Form, Harness racing Form, Newspaper Form). Handicap – applies to Harness and occasionally greyhound racing and refers to the distance in metres from the front row or front boxes. What does M mean Read more…
The use of the designation “b” indicates a claiming race that has multiple conditions. The race is written for both non-winners of a number of races over a period of time and non-winners of a number of races lifetime. If the horse meets either of these conditions, they are eligible Read more…
If your horse comes home first (wins), both the ‘Win’ and ‘Place’ parts of your bet will pay out. But if your horse only places, you will lose the ‘Win’ part of your bet. You will still collect on the ‘Place’ part of your bet if your horse finishes 2nd, Read more…