Horse Race Glossary T To Z

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Racing Glossary

TACK
Riders' racing equipment, also applied to stable gear worn by a horse.

TAKE (or TAKEOUT)
Commission deducted from mutual pools which s shared by the track and local and state governing bodies in the form of tax.

TAKEN UP
A horse pulled up sharply by his rider because of being in close quarters.

TATTOO
A letter and a group of numerals applied to the underside of the upper lip of each registered thoroughbred.

THOROUGHBRED
A thoroughbred is a horse whose parentage traces back to any of the three 'Founding Sires' (the Darley Arabian, Byerly Turk and Godolphin Barb), and that has satisfied the rules and requirements of The Jockey Club and is registered in 'The American Stud Book' or in a foreign stud book recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee. Any other horse, no matter what its parentage, is not considered a thoroughbred for racing and/or breeding purposes.

TICKET
The betting slip or ticket that is received by the bettor from the bookmaker or totalisator, as proof of his or her wager. The ticket is necessary to collect the dividends.

TONGUE TIE
Strap or tape bandage used to tie down a horse's tongue to prevent it from choking in a race or workout.

TOPWEIGHT
Highest weight assigned or carried in a race.

TOTALISATOR
Machine that sells and records betting tickets and shows odds. Also figures out and displays payoff figures.

TOUT
One who gives tips on racehorses, usually attaining some personal reward in return; to give tips.

TRACK RECORD
Fastest time at various distances recorded at a particular track.

TRIFECTA (or TRIPLE)
A wager picking the first three finishers of one race in exact order.

TRIPLE CROWN
In the United States, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. In England the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger. In Canada, the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes.

TURF COURSE
Racecourse on the grass.

TURN DOWN
A protrusion on the bottom of a horseshoe added to give traction.

TWITCH
A device usually consisting of a stick with a loop of rope at one end, which is placed around a horse's nose and upper lip and twisted to curb fractiousness.

UNDERLAY
A horse racing at shorter odds than it should; a bad bet.

UNTRIED
Not raced or tested for speed. Also, a stallion that has not been bred.

UPSET
When a heavy favorite is beaten by another horse, once thought to have originated from a horse named Upset who beat Man O' War. The great horse ran second that day; it would be the only time in its 21 career starts it would lose. However, the term was mildly in use relating to sporting events before that date.

WALKOVER
Race that scratches down to only one starter who merely gallops the required distance. A formal gesture required by the rules of racing.

WARMING UP
Galloping/jogging a horse before post time.

WASHY
Horse breaking out in nervous sweat from head to tail.

WEIGH IN (Out)
The certification, by the clerk of scales, of a rider's weight before (and after) a race. A jockey weighs in fully dressed with all equipment except for his/her helmet, whip and (in many jurisdictions) flak jacket.

WEANLING
A foal that is less than 1 year old that has been separated from its dam.

WHEEL
Betting all possible combinations in an exotic wager using at least one horse as the key.

WIN
The term used to describe a 1st place finish.

WIRE
The finish line of a race.

WITHERS
The highest point of a horse's shoulder.

WITH THE FIELD
Having one horse linked with all the other horses in an event. It can apply to forecasts or in doubles.

WORK
Exercise run timed by clockers to go on to a horse's record, can be seen on past performances.

YEARLING
Thoroughbred between the first New Year's Day after being foaled and the following January 1.

YIELDING
Condition of turf course with a great deal of moisture.