Horse Racing Abbreviations Explained

Understanding these abbreviations can potentially make your experience more enjoyable, and even help you make better decisions when placing a bet.

In this Bet442 blog post, we’ll break down some of the most common horse racing abbreviations, making them easy to understand. You’ll soon be reading racecards like a pro!

Horse Racing Abbreviations & Their Meanings

AR – Ability Rating

This measures a horse’s overall ability based on past performances.

AW – All Weather

Races held on synthetic surfaces that can be run in all weather conditions.

BF – Beaten Favourite

Indicates a horse that was the favourite to win, but lost.

b – Brought Down

Shows that a horse was brought down by another horse during the race.

C – Course Winner

A horse that has previously won at the current racecourse.

CD – Course and Distance Winner

A horse that has won over the same course and distance before.

d – Distance Winner

Indicates a horse that has previously won over the same race distance.

DISQ – Disqualified

A horse that was disqualified from the race for breaking rules.

F – Fell

Shows that a horse fell during the race.

h – Hampered

Indicates that a horse was impeded or blocked in its run.

hr – Hood Removed

A notation used when a hood is taken off a horse for the race.

ht – Hood Tried

Shows that a horse is running with a hood for the first time.

L – Left at Start

Indicates that a horse stayed in the stalls when the race started and didn’t compete.

MR – Merit Rating

A rating that reflects a horse’s overall performance and ability.

PU – Pulled Up

Shows that a horse was stopped and did not finish the race.

R – Refreshed

Indicates that a horse has been rested and is now returning to racing.

RO – Ran Out

Shows that a horse ran off the track and did not complete the race.

RR – Race Rating

A rating based on the horse’s performance in a particular race.

SU – Slipped Up

Indicates that a horse slipped during the race, but did not fall.

t – Tongue Strap On

Shows that the horse is running with a tongue strap for the first time.

tp – Tongue Strap Off

Indicates that the horse is running without a previously worn tongue strap.

U – Unseated Rider

Shows that a horse unseated its jockey during the race.

UR – Unseated Rider

Another way to indicate a horse has unseated its jockey.

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