Horseracing Terminology | G - H - I

G

Gait

Harness horses are divided into two distinct groups, pacers or trotters, depending on their gait when racing. The gait is the manner in that a horse moves its legs when running. The pacer is a horse with a lateral gait, whereas a trotter or square-gaiter has a diagonal gait.

Gate

Another term for barrier, or position a horse will start from.

Gelding

A male horse that has been castrated.

Gentleman Jockey

Amateur rider, generally in steeplechases.

Going

The condition of the racecourse (firm, heavy, soft, etc.).

Good(track)

Condition between fast and slow, generally a bit wet. A dirt track that is almost fast or a turf course slightly softer than firm.

Graded Race

Established in 1973 to classify select stakes races in North America, at the request of European racing authorities, who had set up group races two years earlier. Always denoted with Roman numerals I, II, or III. Capitalized when used in race title (the Grade I Kentucky Derby). See 'Group Race' below.

Graduate

Winning for the first time.

Grand

GBP£ 1,000 (also known as a Big'un).

Green

An inexperienced horse.

Group Race

An elite group of races. Established in 1971 by racing organizations in Britain, France, Germany and Italy to classify select stakes races outside North America. Collectively called 'Pattern Races'. Equivalent to North American graded races. Always denoted with Arabic numerals 1, 2, or 3. Capitalized when used in race title (the Group 1 Epsom Derby). See 'Graded Race' above.

H

Hand

Four inches. A horse's height is measured in hands and inches from the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g., 15.2 hands is 15 hands, 2 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands.

Handicap

1) Race for which the track handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. Each horse is allocated a different weight to carry, the theory being all horses then run on a fair and equal basis.. 2) To make selections on the basis of past performances.

Handicapper

The official who decides the weights to be carried in handicap events, and the grading of horses and greyhounds.

Hand Ride

The jockey urges a horse with the hands and arms without using the whip.

Hard (track)

A condition of a turf course where there is no resiliency to the surface.

Head

A margin between horses. One horse leading another by the length of its head.

Head Of The Stretch

Beginning of the straight run to the finish line.

Heavy (track)

Wettest possible condition of a turf course, similar to muddy but slower; not usually found in North America.

Hedge

The covering of a bet with a second bet.

Hedging

A bet made by a cautious bookie on a horse on which he has accepted large bets - in order to cut his losses if the horse wins (also known as a 'lay-off bet').

Heinz

A Heinz is a multiple bet consisting of 57 bets involving 6 selections in different events. The multiple bet breakdown is 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15x4-folds, 6x5-folds and one 6-fold.

High Weight

Highest weight assigned or carried in a race.

Home Turn

The final turn a horse must travel around before entering the home straight in the run to the finish line.

Horse

When reference is made to sex, a 'horse' is an ungelded male five-years-old or older.

Hung

A horse holding the same position, unable to make up distance on the winner.

I

Impost

Weight carried or assigned.

In Hand

Running under moderate control, at less than best pace.

Inquiry

Reviewing the race to check into a possible infraction of the rules. Also, a sign flashed by officials on the tote board on such occasions. If lodged by a jockey, it is called an objection.

In The Money

Describes the horses in a race that finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd (and sometimes 4th) or the horses on which money will be paid to bettors, depending on the place terms.

In The Red

Are odds shown in red on the betting boards because they are Odds-On bets.

Investor

A bettor. A person at a licensed race meeting who bets with a bookmaker or the totalisator, or a person not present at the meeting, but places bets on the horses engaged at that meeting with the off-course totalisator.