Every Turfling brief is written for people who have never been to a racetrack. These ten terms cover most of what you will meet. America, Europe and Australasia often use different words for the same thing, so each one gives all three.
Grade 1 and Group 1
The top level of racing. America calls its best races Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3. Europe and Australasia call the same tiers Group 1, 2 and 3. A Grade 1 or Group 1 win is the result that matters most on a horse’s record.
Stakes race and black type
Stakes races are the better races, including every Grade and Group race. Winning or placing in one earns black type: the horse’s name is printed in bold in sale catalogues, which raises the value of the horse and its relatives.
Furlongs and metres
A furlong is an eighth of a mile, about 201 metres. America and Europe measure races in furlongs and miles. Australia and New Zealand use metres, so a mile race there is 1600 metres.
Post position, draw and barrier
The starting stall a horse jumps from. America says post position, Europe says draw, Australasia says barrier. Starting near the inside rail can save ground, which is why it gets reported.
Purse and prize money
The money a race pays out to the placed horses. America says purse, Europe says prize money, Australasia says prizemoney. Bigger prize money usually means a stronger field.
Dirt, turf and synthetic
The surface a race is run on. America races on dirt and turf. Most racing in Europe and Australasia is on turf, with some synthetic tracks. Many horses are much better on one surface than another.
Going and track rating
How firm or soft the ground is. Europe describes the going in words, from firm to heavy. Australia gives a track rating from 1 to 10, where Good 4 is firm and Heavy 8 is very wet. Some horses only show their best on one kind of ground.
Scratch and non-runner
A horse withdrawn from a race after it was entered. America calls it a scratch, Europe a non-runner, Australasia a scratching. Late withdrawals can change how a race is likely to be run.
Yearlings and two year olds
Racehorses share an official birthday: 1 January in the northern hemisphere, 1 August in the southern. A yearling is a horse in its second calendar year, usually sold at auction before it has raced. Two year olds are the youngest horses that race.
Trainer, jockey, owner, breeder
The trainer prepares the horse day to day and picks its races. The jockey rides it. The owner pays for it and collects the prize money. The breeder bred it, often years before anyone else was involved.
Turfling publishes no odds, no tips and no wagering advice.