9-7 is the combined weight of the jockey and his equipment. The other horses carry less weight proportionate to their handicap ratings. So if a horse rated 80 in this race carries 9-7, then a 70-rated horse carries ten pounds less (that is 8-11) and a 66-rated horse 14 pounds less (8-7).
How does the handicap system work in horse racing?
A handicap race in horse racing is a race in which horses carry different weights, allocated by the handicapper. A better horse will carry a heavier weight, to give it a disadvantage when racing against slower horses.
What does 3lb out of the handicap mean?
Also called “out of the handicap” – that means the horse is running off a handicap mark which is so far below the top rated horse in the race that they are below the minimum weight allowed for the race that their weight has been raised.
How is a horse's rating calculated?
Before a horse can be assigned a rating, it needs to run a few races first, to give the judges an idea of how fast it is. An official rating will be assigned after one of the following happens: It wins a race. It doesn't win three races, but finishes in the top six in one of those races.
Does handicap weight include jockey?
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.
23 related questions foundHow are handicap weights calculated?
A rough rule of thumb is that one length (in terms of finishing positions) is equal to one 1lb of weight, or an increment of one in the horse's official rating. So, according to the example above, you might expect Horse 1 to be given an initial handicap mark of 79.
How are racing posts calculated?
Racing Post Ratings (RPR) are based on a horse's racing ability in relation to the weight carried i.e. if horse X beats horse Y carrying the same weight then it is awarded a higher rating. The ratings are expressed in pounds (lb) so a horse rated 140 is regarded as 10lb better than one rated 130.
What does BM stand for in horse racing?
Benchmark Races. A benchmark race is a Handicap race based on ratings. There is no upper or lower limit on eligibility. In simple terms, a benchmark race is open to all horses. The weights assigned to each entry relate to the benchmark rating assigned to the race.
What is a good official rating in horse racing?
Each horse will be assigned a number, which can rise and fall on a weekly basis depending on how the horse fares in races. Horses in the National Hunt have a rating of 0 to 170 and those in the Flat season have a rating of 0 to 140. The higher the rating, the higher the standard of race a horse can run in.
What does 6lb out of the handicap mean?
Beat The Boys, by the same method, should carry 9-8, but as the minimum racing weight for any national hunt horse is 10-0 (less any claim due to their rider) he actually carries 6lb too much. This is known as being 'out of the handicap'.
What does 2lb out of the handicap mean?
Thus, if a horse rated 45 was entered for the race, its rating would merit carrying 8st 1lb, or 1lb lower than the minimum weight applicable. Such a horse can compete, but must carry 1lb more than its 'true' handicap mark, and is said to be racing from '1lb out of the handicap'.
Is the Grand National a handicap race?
The Grand National is a handicap race, with weights ranging upward to 12 stone 7 pounds (175 pounds). The weights, the distance, and the big jumps demand horses of prodigious strength and stamina and usually of more than normal size.
What is a handicap running race?
The idea of the handicap is to give runners of different abilities the chance to compete equally. The slowest runners start first followed at regular intervals by faster runners, with the fastest runners starting last. If the handicapper gets it right, everyone will finish at almost the same time!
How do I know if my horse is well handicapped?
Just take a look at how many of his 2YO have 3 runs over sprint trips , then come out and run up a sequence as 3YO over longer trips because they're so well handicapped. Study those 3 runs above for a second longer. Because usually the trainer wants one run to give him an idea if the horse has enough ability.
Why do race horses carry weight?
Racehorses carry extra weights to meet the minimum weight assigned to them for a specific race. If a jockey and his tack weigh less than the weight assigned, weights are added to the horse to meet the required amount designated to carry during its race.
What is class 4 in horse racing?
Class 4 Handicaps 0-100 and 0-115 and Novice Handicaps 0-100 and 0-115. Class 5 Handicaps 0-85 and 0-95 and Novice Handicaps 0-85 and 0-95. Class 6 National Hunt Flat Races and Hunter's Steeplechases.
What is 58 benchmark in horse racing?
Benchmark 58 (3 - 4)
Normally reserved for country and provincial racing these are the lowest quality race for horses who have broken their maiden.
What does Listed mean in horse racing?
In horse racing, a Listed race is a race at a level just below Group level or, in other words, three steps down from the highest level, Group One, in terms of quality.
How is top speed calculated Racing Post?
The Topspeed rating follows directly from the race times and calculated going allowance using Racing Post standard times. These standard times are based on RPRs(standard= best achievable,RPR = 100, 9st, good ground).
What does RPR mean in horse racing?
RPR - Racing Post Rating (compiled by our private form handicapper), adjusted for that day's weights. TS - Topspeed. W1 - Horse having first run since wind surgery. W2 - Horse having second run since wind surgery. Form figures.
What does Group 3 mean in horse racing?
Group 1 - Minimum official rating of 115 (110 for 2 year olds) - Classics and other races of major international importance. Group 2 - Minimum official rating of 110 (105 for 2 year olds) - less important international races. Group 3 - Minimum official rating of 105 (100 for 2 year olds) - primarily domestic races.
Which number horse wins the most?
Fascinatingly, this system produces a clear favourite number; number 6. With eight wins over the last 51 years, it's five ahead of its nearest rivals with numbers 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 11 all boasting three wins each. Only 12 of the last 50 races have gone to horses in the bottom half of the handicap.
Is it better for a horse to be heavier or lighter?
In other words, the further a horse runs, the greater the slow-down effect of weight carried. Horses usually carry different weights to compensate for differences in ability. A better horse may have to carry more weight to give his lesser opponents a chance to compete.
How often do high odds horses win?
On average favorites win about 35% of horse races. But, that win percentage can fluctuate based on the distance, surface, class, etc. For example, favorites are more likely to win dirt races than turf races.
