A Dictionary Of Horse Racing Terms - H
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A Dictionary of Horse Racing Terms - H
Title:
A Comprehensive Guide to Horse Racing Terms - HSummary:
HandicapA Handicap race adjusts the weights each horse carries, ensuring every contender theoretically has an equal chance of winning. Much like in George Orwell's works, some horses appear "more equal" than others. Variability in a horse's daily performance often leads to a clear winner in these races.
Keywords:
horse racing terms, Betfair, betting exchange, Racing Post, handicap, hurdles, Hobday, hanging, chasesArticle Body:
Handicap
In a Handicap race, horses are assigned different weights to level the playing field and provide each horse with a theoretical chance of victory. This resembles the concept in George Orwell's books where some are "more equal than others." Horses vary in performance, but typically, there’s a decisive winner in these races.
Just like humans, horses don’t perform consistently every day. Handicapping accounts for this by adjusting weights based on age and the margin by which one horse surpasses another. Factors like track conditions and race pace are also considered.
Weight assessments are made based on finishing distances as follows:
- Five to seven furlongs: 3lb per length
- One mile to eleven furlongs: 2lb per length
- One and a half to two miles: 1.5lb per length
- More than two miles: 1lb per length
- National Hunt races: 1lb per length
For example, if Horse A carrying nine stone beats Horse B by a length over a sprint, Horse B is considered 3lbs inferior. In subsequent races, Horse A might carry nine stone while Horse B carries eight stone 11lb.
Official British Horseracing Board (BHB) handicappers perform these assessments using an updated central database. Horses receive handicap ratings to foster fair competition.
Handicaps may be tailored for horses rated zero to 70, allowing for competitive races among less experienced horses. Famous handicaps like the Cambridgeshire and the Ebor are open to horses rated 0-115.
Ratings are revised weekly and published in sports literature, making it important to follow these updates. Flat race weights range from 7 stone 7lb to no less than 10 stone, while National Hunt race weights range from 10 to 12 stone, except in races over three miles.
Renowned handicapper Admiral Rous famously remarked after a challenging handicapping session, "There, now none of them can win!" Handicapping is an art of precise judgment.
Private handicaps often appear in publications like the Racing Post, offering alternative views on a horse's chances compared to official assessments.
Handicappers
There are two types of handicappers:
1. Official BHB team who create handicaps.
2. Horses labeled as handicappers, implying they primarily run in handicap races.
Head Lad
The Head Lad, often not a "lad" at all, is second in command at a stable. Responsible for feeding horses and managing the yard, a competent Head Lad can significantly impact a stable's success. A Traveling Head Lad accompanies horses to and from racecourses. Notable trainers like Clive Britton and Barry Hills began their careers as Head Lads.
Hanging
Hanging occurs when a fatigued horse veers towards the rails or another horse near the race's end. Jockeys typically use the whip to correct this.
Hobdayed
A Hobday operation, named after Sir Frederick Hobday, can improve a horse's breathing if it has wind issues.
Homebred
A homebred horse is one raised at its owner’s stud rather than bought at auction.
Hunter Chases
Hunter Chases involve horses that compete in hunts, verified by a master of foxhounds. Although famous horses like Baulking Green competed in Hunter Chases, anti-hunting legislation has reduced this race type's prevalence.
Hurdles
Horses starting their National Hunt careers often begin with hurdle races before transitioning to fences. Horses must be at least three years old by July to start hurdling. Typically, flat racers over four years of age begin hurdling as their flat career wanes.
With hurdle races often surpassing two miles, horses with endurance are preferred. These races provide excellent opportunities for Betfair in-play betting.
Juvenile or novice hurdle races are open to horses under three that haven't won a hurdle by the season's start.
Hurdles must be at least 3 feet 6 inches high, comprising wooden bars interspersed with brush or gorse. Modern hurdles have cushioned tops to minimize injury from impacts.
Hurdle races are thrilling, marked by noise and speed. Although falls are frequent, they occur less often than in chases. Racing law mandates at least eight hurdle flights in a two-mile race, with additional flights for each subsequent quarter-mile.
Hurdle and chase horses are crowd favorites and hold a special place in racing history.
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