Allowance
Race |
A race
in which a horse is entered according
to eligibility conditions, usually
the number of races it has won or
money it has earned. Allowance races
are a level above claiming races but
a level below stakes races. |
Blacksmith |
A person
who trims and shoes thoroughbred’s
hoofs (also known as a farrier). |
Broodmare |
A female
horse in foal or previously used
for breeding. |
Claiming
Race |
A race
in which each thoroughbred carries
a price tag indicating the amount
for which another owner can buy the
thoroughbred out of the race. |
Class |
The level
of quality and difficulty of a race,
or in reference to a thoroughbred,
its ability to be competitive with
quality horses. |
Closer |
A thoroughbred
race horse that prefers racing with
a rallying trip, coming from behind
late in a race. |
Colt |
A male
thoroughbred under 5 years old. |
Conformation |
The
structure of a thoroughbred’s
body, as determined by the arrangement
and harmony of its parts. |
Dam |
The female
parent of a thoroughbred. |
Fast |
The condition
of a dirt track when it is dry and
firm. |
Filly |
A female
thoroughbred under 5 years of age. |
Firm |
The condition
of a turf track when it is dry and
relatively hard. |
Foal |
The young
offspring of a thoroughbred. |
Fractions |
A race’s
internal time splits, measured at
regular intervals such as a furlong. |
Furlong
|
One-eighth
of a mile, the basic unit of distance
in thoroughbred horse racing. |
Gelding |
A castrated
male thoroughbred. |
Good |
The condition
of a dirt or turf track when it has
absorbed some rain but maintains a
relatively even, firm surface. |
Horse |
A male
thoroughbred 5 years old or older
that has not been castrated. |
In
foal |
A pregnant
broodmare. |
Length |
A distance
equal to the size of a thoroughbred’s
body. |
Maiden |
A thoroughbred
race horse who has never won a race. |
Mare |
A female
thoroughbred 5 years old or older. |
Muddy |
The condition
of a dirt track when it has absorbed
enough rain that the surface is saturated. |
Optional
Claimer |
A race
in which a thoroughbred may enter
either under the Allowance conditions
stated or for the designated claiming
price. |
Place |
When a
thoroughbred race horse finishes second. |
Purse |
The amount
of money allotted to a race with a
typical payout of 60% to the winner,
20% to 2nd place, 10% to 3rd place,
5% to 4th place, 3% to fifth place
and 2% to 6th place. |
Route |
A race
of a mile or longer. |
Show |
When a
thoroughbred finishes third. |
Sire |
A stallion
that has produced a foal. |
Sloppy |
The condition
of a dirt track when it has absorbed
enough rain that the surface is soft
and uneven. |
Soft |
The condition
of a turf track when it has absorbed
enough rain that the surface is saturated. |
Soundness |
The physical condition
of a thoroughbred. |
Speed
Horse |
A thoroughbred race
horse that prefers racing in front
of other runners at a rapid early
pace. |
Sprint |
A race
less than a mile long. |
Stakes
Race |
The most
prestigious race level run for a high
purse and frequently requiring nomination,
entry and starting fees. |
Stallion |
A male
thoroughbred used for breeding. |
Stalker |
A thoroughbred that
prefers racing a bit behind the speed
horses, then surging at a critical
stage in a race. |
Starter
Allowance |
An allowance
race in which a thoroughbred may enter
only if it has run in a recent claiming
race at or below a designated claiming
price. |
Trip |
The course
of action a thoroughbred encounters
during a race. |
Turf
Race |
A race
run on grass, as opposed to the majority
of (North American) races, which are
run on dirt. |
Variant |
The difference
from average time for races of the
same distance by the same class horses
at the same track on different days,
due to weather and track condition. |
Weanling |
A foal
that is less than 1 year old. |
Yearling |
A 1 year
old thoroughbred. |
Yielding |
The
condition of a turf track when it
has absorbed enough rain that the
surface is soft and uneven. |
