All-weather racing Generally low-grade action staged on an artificial surface
Ante-post Relating to betting on a race before the day it is run
Apprentice Inexperienced jockey who receives a weight allowance (7lb, 5lb, 3lb) from senior riders
At The Races One of the two satellite TV channels (the other being Racing UK) that broadcast from all British racecourses
Betfair Internet betting exchange, in which punters bet with each other rather than a bookmaker
Betting tax Now obsolete, a percentage payable on bets in betting shops at time of placing or at time of collection. For much of its use until its removal in 2001, tax was nine per cent.
BHA British Horseracing Association, racing’s rulers
Blinkers, eyeshield, visor Equipment worn by a horse to aid concentration
Breeze-up Sale for horses in the spring of their two-year-old careers where they cover a distance at racing pace (are breezed) before being sold
Claimer Usually low-grade affair in which any horse can be claimed for a price set and published pre-race
Draw bias Situation where the ground on one side of a racecourse is faster than on the other side, whether through artificial watering or track topography, and thus horses in stalls (drawn) on that side are deemed to be favoured
Goffs Irish sales company
Group 1 race Flat race of the highest quality, eg Derby, 2,000 Guineas, July Cup, King George; followed by Group 2 and Group 3 levels
Handicap mark Rating allotted to all horses by the official handicapper as a benchmark of ability
Jackpot Tote permutation bet that requires punters to select a horse to win each of six races at a meeting
Knavesmire Historical name for York racecourse
Listed race Race straddling the divide between Group 1, 2 and 3 races and handicaps
Maiden Race for horses who have yet to win
Nursery Handicap race for two-year-olds
Penalty Extra weight allotted for a given race if horse concerned is successful after the weights for that race have been framed
Placepot Tote permutation bet that requires punters to select a horse to be placed in each of six races at a meeting
Point-to-Point Amateur jump racing
Pricewise A column in the Racing Post that highlights horses considered to overpriced in the morning betting
Racing UK One of the two satellite TV channels (the other being At The Races) that broadcast from all British racecourses
Rails As in rails bookmaker, an individual or firm at a race meeting that stands at the rail dividing Members and Tattersalls and takes larger bets than the rest of the Tattersalls bookmakers
Reverse forecast To combine two horses in a bet that pays out whether A finishes second to B or B finishes second to A
Scoop6 Tote permutation bet that requires punters to select the winners of six previously determined races on any given Saturday
Seller Low-quality race in which the winner is sold at auction immediately afterwards
SP Starting Price
Talking horse Horse whose ability rests on reputation rather than deeds
Tattersalls British sales company based in Newmarket
The Morning Line Saturday morning Channel 4 programme devoted to racing
The Sporting Life Racing daily with a wide orbit of fame until it was closed down in May 1998
Timeform Firm of form and ratings experts
Tote, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred Major bookmaking chains in Britain
Union Jack ‘Exotic’ bet involving nine horses in various combinations
Yankee ‘Exotic’ bet involving four horses in various combinations