How to Read a Horse-Racing Racecard: A Beginner’s Guide
A horse-racing racecard contains almost everything you need to know about a race—but to someone encountering one for the first time, it can look like a wall of numbers, letters and unfamiliar abbreviations.
What do the form figures mean? Why do horses carry different weights? What are C, D and CD? And how can a horse be number three but start from stall seven?
Once you understand the basic layout, a racecard becomes much easier to read.
At Kevin Myles, we have been involved in independent on-course bookmaking since 1989. In this beginner’s guide, we explain the most important information displayed on a British horse-racing racecard and what it can tell you about each runner.
What Is a Horse-Racing Racecard?
A racecard is a guide to the races taking place at a particular meeting.
It normally provides:
The race time.
The racecourse.
The race title and type.
The race distance.
The class or grade.
The prize money.
The going.
The declared runners.
Each horse’s recent form.
The jockey and trainer.
The weight carried.
The horse’s official rating.
Equipment or headgear.
The available betting odds.
Printed racecards are available at racecourses, while racing publications, broadcasters and digital services produce their own versions.
The precise layout and symbols can differ between publishers, but the essential information is broadly similar.
Understanding the Race Heading
Before examining the individual horses, start with the information at the top of the race.
A typical race heading might show:
2:30 Newbury – Class 3 Handicap – 1 mile 2 furlongs – Good to Soft
This immediately tells you:
The race starts at 2:30.
It takes place at Newbury.
It is a Class 3 race.
It is a handicap.
The distance is one mile and two furlongs.
The official going is Good to Soft.
Each of these details can be relevant when assessing the runners.
What Does the Race Distance Mean?
British race distances are generally expressed in miles and furlongs.
There are eight furlongs in one mile, and one furlong is approximately 220 yards.
Common Flat racing distances include:
5 furlongs – a sprint.
6 furlongs – a sprint.
7 furlongs – between sprint and mile racing.
1 mile – eight furlongs.
1 mile 2 furlongs – ten furlongs.
1 mile 4 furlongs – twelve furlongs.
2 miles and above – staying races.
National Hunt races over hurdles or fences are generally longer and are often run over distances ranging from around two miles to more than four miles.
A horse’s previous performances over similar distances can be useful. Some horses possess the speed needed for sprinting, while others perform better when stamina becomes more important.
What Does the Going Mean?
The going describes the condition of the racing surface.
For turf racing, common descriptions include:
Firm.
Good to Firm.
Good.
Good to Soft.
Soft.
Heavy.
National Hunt meetings may also use descriptions such as Good to Soft or Soft, depending on the amount of moisture in the ground.
Artificial surfaces have their own descriptions, including:
Standard.
Standard to Slow.
Slow.
Fast.
Some horses consistently perform better on particular surfaces or ground conditions.
A horse that has produced its best performances on soft ground may not be as effective on a quicker surface—and the reverse can also be true.
However, past going preferences are evidence rather than guarantees. Race conditions, fitness, distance and opposition also matter.
What Do the Horse’s Number and Draw Mean?
Each horse is allocated a racecard number.
This number helps identify the runner and is usually shown alongside the horse’s name and racing colours.
In Flat racing, you may also see a separate number in brackets. This is the horse’s draw or starting-stall position.
For example:
4 (7) Racing Example
This usually means:
Racecard number: 4.
Starting stall: 7.
The draw can be significant in some races, particularly large-field Flat races over shorter distances or at courses where the starting position may favour a particular part of the track.
The effect of the draw varies by racecourse, distance, field size, ground and pace. A low number is not automatically an advantage, and a high number is not automatically a disadvantage.
Jump racing does not use starting stalls, so National Hunt racecards will not display a draw in the same way.
What Are Racing Silks?
The coloured jacket and cap worn by the jockey are known as the owner’s racing silks or colours.
Racecards display a small illustration of these colours to help spectators identify the horses during the race.
Two horses owned by the same person may carry similar colours. When this happens, different-coloured caps or other distinguishing features are used to help tell the jockeys apart.
The silks identify the owner rather than the trainer or jockey.
How Do You Read Horse-Racing Form Figures?
Form figures provide a compact summary of a horse’s recent results.
A straightforward sequence might look like:
31425
Reading from left to right, with the most recent run usually shown on the right, this indicates finishing positions of:
Third.
First.
Fourth.
Second.
Fifth.
A figure of 1 means the horse won that race.
A figure of 2 means it finished second, and so on.
The number 0 normally means the horse finished tenth or lower.
Form figures can provide a quick overview, but they do not tell the complete story. A fifth-place finish in a strong race may be more encouraging than a victory against weaker opposition.
The distance, going, class, weight, pace and circumstances of each previous race all require consideration.
What Do the Letters in Horse-Racing Form Mean?
You may see letters mixed with the numbers in a horse’s form.
Common examples include:
SymbolMeaningFFellUUnseated riderPPulled upRRefusedBBrought downORan outSSlipped upCCarried out
These symbols are particularly common in National Hunt racing, where horses jump hurdles or fences.
A horse marked as P did not complete the race because its jockey pulled it up. This can happen for several reasons, including tiredness, jumping problems or the jockey deciding it was not appropriate to continue.
The circumstances behind the letter matter. A fall several races ago does not necessarily mean the horse will fall again.
What Do Dashes and Slashes Mean in Form Figures?
Racecards may use a dash or slash to separate different periods of form.
A dash usually separates racing seasons or calendar years.
A slash generally indicates a longer absence from racing.
The exact display can vary between publishers, but both marks help show that the runs did not all occur within one continuous period.
A lengthy absence is worth noticing. Some horses run well when fresh, while others improve after having a recent race.
What Do C, D and CD Mean on a Racecard?
Several useful letters may appear close to a horse’s name or form.
C – Course Winner
C means the horse has previously won at the same racecourse.
Course form can be relevant because racecourses differ in shape, gradients, surface and racing characteristics.
D – Distance Winner
D means the horse has previously won over the same distance as today’s race.
This provides evidence that the horse can cope with the required distance.
CD – Course-and-Distance Winner
CD means the horse has previously won at the same racecourse over the same distance.
Some racegoers pay particular attention to course-and-distance winners because they have already succeeded under broadly comparable conditions.
BF – Beaten Favourite
BF means the horse was the favourite for its previous race but did not win.
This does not necessarily mean it performed badly. It simply records that the horse was beaten after starting as the market favourite.
These symbols are useful shortcuts, but none should be used alone when assessing a horse’s chance.
What Does the Horse’s Age Mean?
The racecard displays each horse’s age.
Age can be particularly relevant because many races are restricted to certain age groups, such as:
Two-year-olds.
Three-year-olds.
Three-year-olds and upwards.
Four-year-olds and upwards.
Younger horses may still be improving, while an older horse may possess more experience.
In National Hunt racing, horses often compete at an older age than Flat horses because their careers can develop over a longer period.
Some racecards also identify the horse’s sex:
C – Colt.
F – Filly.
G – Gelding.
H – Horse.
M – Mare.
The exact format can vary between racecard providers.
What Does the Weight Mean?
The racecard shows the weight each horse is required to carry.
It may be displayed as:
9st 7lb
This means nine stone and seven pounds.
One stone equals 14 pounds.
The weight includes the jockey and the necessary equipment, with additional weights added where required to reach the allotted total.
Weight is especially important in handicap races, where horses are deliberately allocated different weights.
What Is a Handicap Race?
In a handicap, the official handicapper assigns each horse a rating based on its previous performances.
Those ratings are used to determine how much weight each runner carries.
In simple terms, the horses considered stronger are generally required to carry more weight, while lower-rated horses carry less.
The purpose is to give the runners a more equal theoretical chance.
That does not mean all horses genuinely have the same chance or that the race will finish in handicap order. Horses can improve, decline, be suited by different conditions or run above or below their previous form.
Handicap races often produce competitive betting markets because several runners may appear capable of winning.
What Is the Official Rating?
The Official Rating, often abbreviated to OR, is the rating allocated by the racing handicapper.
A horse rated 90 is considered, in handicap terms, superior to one rated 80.
The difference between their ratings influences the difference in the weights they are asked to carry in a handicap.
Racecards may also display ratings produced by racing publications or analysts. These are not necessarily the same as the official handicap rating.
Always check the column heading so you know which rating you are reading.
What Does the Jockey Information Show?
The jockey’s name appears beside or beneath the horse.
Some jockey names are followed by a number in brackets, such as:
J. Smith (5)
This normally indicates that the jockey is entitled to claim a weight allowance—in this example, five pounds.
Claiming jockeys are less experienced riders who receive an allowance to compensate for that difference in experience. The size of the claim usually reduces as the jockey rides more winners.
A claim can reduce the effective weight carried by the horse, subject to the rules of the race.
Racecards may also highlight a late jockey change.
Why Is the Trainer Important?
The trainer is responsible for preparing the horse for the race.
Racecards normally display the trainer’s name and may provide statistics covering:
Recent winners.
Runs during a particular period.
Course record.
Strike rate.
Previous results in the race.
Performance with similar horses.
Trainer form can provide useful context. A stable producing several recent winners may be described as being in form.
However, every horse must still be judged on its own circumstances. A trainer’s recent record does not guarantee how an individual runner will perform.
What Do the Headgear Letters Mean?
Small letters beside a horse’s details may indicate equipment being worn.
Common abbreviations include:
SymbolEquipmentbBlinkerspCheekpiecesvVisorhHoodtTongue-tieeEyeshield
Headgear may be used to help a horse concentrate, settle or perform more effectively.
A small 1 beside the equipment symbol commonly indicates that it is being worn for the first time.
For example:
b1 – first-time blinkers.
p1 – first-time cheekpieces.
Symbols and presentation can differ between racecard publishers, so consult the card’s key if anything is unclear.
Equipment is not a guarantee of improvement. It is another piece of information to consider.
What Does Wind Surgery Mean on a Racecard?
You may see a symbol indicating that a horse has undergone a breathing operation, commonly called wind surgery.
A first run following wind surgery may be marked separately by the racecard provider.
The procedure is intended to address a breathing issue, but it does not mean the horse will automatically improve or win.
As with headgear, it is relevant information rather than a prediction.
What Are the Main Types of Horse Race?
Understanding the race type helps put the runners’ form into context.
Flat Race
Flat races are run without obstacles and range from short sprints to long-distance staying contests.
Hurdle Race
Hurdle races require horses to jump a series of relatively low obstacles.
Steeplechase
A chase is run over larger, more rigid fences. Jumping ability and experience can be particularly important.
National Hunt Flat Race
Often called a bumper, this is a Flat race for horses bred or intended for National Hunt racing. It gives inexperienced horses racing experience before they compete over obstacles.
Maiden Race
A maiden is generally for horses that have not previously won a race under the relevant rules.
Novice Race
A novice race is for horses at an early stage of their career in that racing discipline, subject to the conditions of the particular race.
Handicap
Horses carry different weights according to their official ratings.
Conditions Race
The weights are determined by the conditions of the race rather than solely through the standard handicap system.
What Does the Race Class Mean?
British races are organised into different classes.
On the Flat, the structure generally runs from Class 1, containing the highest-quality races, down through the lower classes.
National Hunt racing also uses classes and graded races.
A horse moving into a stronger class may face better opposition than previously. A horse dropping in class may find the competition less demanding, although the circumstances of the race still matter.
Comparing finishing positions without considering race class can be misleading.
How Do You Read the Betting Odds?
The racecard or accompanying betting market may display prices such as:
2/1.
7/2.
5/1.
10/1.
20/1.
With fractional odds, the first number indicates the potential profit relative to the second number.
At 5/1, a successful £1 win bet produces £5 profit plus the original £1 stake.
At 5/2, every £2 staked can produce £5 profit plus the returned stake.
Shorter odds generally indicate that the market considers a horse more likely to win than a runner at longer odds. They do not guarantee the result.
Read How Do Horse-Racing Odds Work? A Bookmaker Explains for a full explanation.
Why Do the Odds Change?
Prices can shorten or drift before the start as bookmakers respond to betting activity, new information and movements across the wider market.
For example:
8/1 → 6/1 → 4/1
means the horse has shortened in price.
A movement such as:
3/1 → 4/1 → 5/1
means the horse has drifted.
A price movement shows how the market has changed. It does not reveal the result in advance.
Our guide How Do Bookmakers Set Horse-Racing Odds? An On-Course Bookmaker Explains explores this process in more detail.
What Does SP Mean on a Racecard?
SP stands for Starting Price.
It is the official industry price returned for a horse when the race begins.
If a qualifying bet is placed at SP rather than at a fixed price, the bet is settled using the official Starting Price.
Read What Is Starting Price in Horse Racing? A Bookmaker Explains for more information.
Can You Use a Racecard to Find the Winner?
A racecard provides information, not certainty.
It can help you examine:
Recent form.
Race class.
Distance record.
Course record.
Going preferences.
Weight and official rating.
Trainer and jockey.
Equipment changes.
The betting market.
However, horse racing includes uncertainty. Horses can improve, underperform, encounter trouble during a race or react differently to the conditions.
No individual statistic, symbol or price guarantees a winner.
A Simple Racecard Checklist for Beginners
When reading a racecard, work through these questions:
What type of race is it?
What is the distance?
What is the going?
Has the horse competed at this level before?
What do its recent form figures show?
Has it won at the course or distance?
Is it moving up or down in class?
What weight is it carrying?
What is its official rating?
Is the jockey claiming an allowance?
Is the horse wearing new equipment?
Has its price shortened or drifted?
This will not predict the winner, but it provides a structured way to understand the information in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse-Racing Racecards
What does 0 mean in horse-racing form?
A zero generally means the horse finished tenth or lower.
What does P mean on a racecard?
P means the horse was pulled up and did not complete the race.
What does F mean in horse-racing form?
F means the horse fell.
What does U mean on a racecard?
U means the horse unseated its rider.
What does C mean next to a horse?
C normally means the horse has previously won at the course.
What does D mean next to a horse?
D means the horse has previously won over the same distance.
What does CD mean?
CD means the horse has previously won over both the same course and distance.
What does BF mean?
BF means the horse was the beaten favourite on its previous run.
What does OR mean?
OR stands for Official Rating—the rating allocated by the racing handicapper.
What does the number in brackets after a jockey’s name mean?
It normally shows the number of pounds the jockey is entitled to claim as an allowance.
What does b1 mean?
It normally means the horse is wearing blinkers for the first time.
What does SP mean?
SP stands for Starting Price, the official price returned when the race starts.
Horse-Racing Racecards Explained: The Simple Version
A racecard is a compact guide to the race and every declared runner.
Start with:
The race type.
The distance.
The going.
The horse’s recent form.
Course-and-distance records.
Weight and rating.
Trainer and jockey.
Equipment.
Betting odds.
Do not rely on one figure or symbol alone. The value of a racecard comes from combining several pieces of information and placing them in context.
Horse Racing Explained by Kevin Myles
Kevin Myles has been involved in independent on-course bookmaking since 1989.
Our A Bookmaker Explains series helps racegoers and customers understand horse-racing odds, terminology and betting markets in straightforward language.
Continue reading:
What Does Each-Way Mean in Horse Racing? A Bookmaker Explains
What Is Starting Price in Horse Racing? A Bookmaker Explains
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