Horse Racing Terminology

Broodmare – a female horse used for breeding or in foal.

Center of Distribution (CD) - The balance between the speed and staying ability of a horse based on the Dosage Profile.

Claiming race – a race in which you can buy a horse for the indicated price.

Closer – a horse who comes from off the pace.

Colt – a male horse under 5 years of age.

Dosage Index (DI) - Mathematical reduction of the Dosage profile to a number reflecting a horse's potential for speed or stamina. The higher the number, the more likely the horse is suited to be a sprinter. The average Dosage index of all horses is about 4.0.

Dam – the mother of a horse.

Filly – a female horse under 5 years of age.

Furlong – one-eighth of a mile.

Gelding – a castrated male horse.

Horse – male horse 5 years old or older.

 



In foal – a pregnant broodmare.

Length – a distance, which is equal to the size of a horse’s body.

Maiden – a horse who has never won a race.

Mare – a female horse 5 years old or older.

Purse – the amount of money allotted by the racetrack, of which the entrants of the race are running for a specific percentage, according to their finish position. Winner usually gets 60% of purse.

Sire – the father of the horse.

Sprint – a race less than a mile long.

Stallion – a male horse used for breeding.

Speed horse - a horse who prefers racing in the front of the pack.

Stalker – a horse who prefers racing behind the speed horses, then taking the lead once in the stretch.

Yearling – a Thoroughbred that is 1 year old. 

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