Terminology related to the horse:
Colt: A male horse under 5 years of age.
Dam: The mother of the horse.
Filly: A female horse under 5 years of age.
Foal: Newly born thoroughbred, or until weaned. Can be a male horse or a female horse.
Gelding: Castrated male horse.
Maiden: A horse who has not won a race. Also used to describe a non-winning rider.
Sire: The father of the horse.
Stallion: An entire male horse.
Stud: Male horse used in breeding. Also is a breeding farm.
Yearling: Thoroughbred between the first New Year’s Day after being foaled and the following January 1.
Terminology related to the track:
Paddock: A structure or area where the horses are saddled and viewed before post time.
Post: The starting point of the race or a position in the starting gate.
Post Parade: Horses going from the paddock to the starting gate passing the stands.
Post Position: The location of the stall in the starting gate from which a horse will start the race.
Totalisator: Machine used to sell and record betting tickets and shows odds. Also figures and displays payoff figures on a totalisator board.
Track Record: The fastest time at various distances recorded at a particular track.
Terminology related to the jockey:
Bug Boy: Apprentice jockey.
Jockey: The rider on the horse.
Silks: Jacket and cap worn by the jockey which designates the owner of the horse.
Set Down: To describe when a jockey has been suspended.
Stick: A jockey’s whip.
Terminology related to the race:
Also Ran: A horse that finishes out of the money.
Dead Heat: Two or more horses finishing in an exact tie at the wire.
Entry: Two or more horses owned by the same stable or in some cases trained by the same trainer and thus running as a single betting unit. A bet on one is a bet for both.
Field: The horses in a race.
Furlong: One eighth of a mile; 220 Yards; 660 feet.
Claiming Race: The horses may be purchased by a qualified, licensed person for the claiming price listed in that race.
Fractional Time: The time of the race at points before the finish line.
Splits: See Fractional Time.
Stakes Race: A race, usually a feature race, for which an owner must pay a fee to run a horse.
Terminology related to betting/wagering:
Daily Double: Type of wagering calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second races.
Box: Every combination of several horses.
Exact: A wager picking the first two finishers in exact order.
Trifecta: A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order.
Wheel: List of horses bet to finish first, second, and/or third.
Terminology related to horse racing occupations:
Ferrier: Blacksmith.
Valet: Person who attends riders and keeps their wardrobe and equipment in order.