Inner Circle Insights

Horse Racing Jargon & Acronyms Guide

Horse racing uses a lot of shorthand. This guide explains the key terms you see in racecards, betting advice, selections, and results.

Our Tip Categories

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NAP of the Day

Our strongest selection of the day.

Strong Selections

Solid confidence selections below the NAP.

Value Plays

Selections where odds look bigger than true chance.

Race Terms

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  • Racecard: List of runners and key details.
  • Going: Track condition (Firm, Good, Soft, Heavy, etc).
  • Distance (f): Furlongs, where 1 mile = 8f.
  • Draw: Stall number in flat racing.
  • Class: Race quality (Class 1 highest to Class 6 lower).
  • Handicap: Weights adjusted to level competitiveness.
  • Maiden: Horses that have never won.
  • Novice: Horses early in their racing careers.
  • Listed: High-quality race below Group level.
  • Group (G1/G2/G3): Top-level racing, with G1 highest.

Horse Information

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  • Form figures: Finishing positions in previous races.
  • Age: 2yo, 3yo, etc (yo = years old).
  • Colt: Male under 5.
  • Filly: Female under 5.
  • Gelding: Castrated male.
  • Mare: Female aged 5+.

Betting Terms

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  • Odds: Potential return (e.g., 5.0 or 3/1).
  • Favourite (Fav): Shortest odds in the race.
  • Each-Way (EW): One win bet + one place bet.
  • Place: Finishing position that pays place terms.
  • SP: Starting Price at race off.
  • BSP: Betfair Starting Price.
  • ROI: Return on investment (profit ÷ total staked).

Racecard Acronyms

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  • OR: Official Rating.
  • RPR: Racing Post Rating.
  • TS: Topspeed Rating.
  • BF: Beaten Favourite.
  • CD: Course and Distance winner.
  • C: Course winner.
  • D: Distance winner.
  • LTO: Last Time Out.
  • PU: Pulled Up.
  • NR: Non-runner.
  • F: Fell.
  • UR: Unseated rider.
  • R: Refused.
  • BD: Brought down.
  • 0: Finished outside top 9.

Trainer & Jockey Indicators

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  • Trainer form: Often shown like “3 wins from last 14 runners”.
  • Jockey claim (e.g., 5): Apprentice allowance in pounds.

Race Type Terms

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  • Flat: No obstacles, speed-focused.
  • National Hunt (NH): Jump racing.
  • Hurdle: Smaller obstacles.
  • Chase: Larger fences.

Breeding Terms

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  • Sire: Horse’s father.
  • Dam: Horse’s mother.
  • Dam’s sire: Mother’s father.

Track Surface Types

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  • Turf: Grass surface (most UK racing).
  • AW: All-weather artificial surface.
  • Common AW types: Tapeta, Polytrack, Fibresand.