Racing Glossary 'o - p'
An alphabet of racing terms
We hope you find this glossary useful and informative. With this knowledge we hope you find that you can pick winners that little bit easier.
Odds: Price at which a bookie lays bets, prices are Odds Against, Even Money or Odds On. see racing odds page
Off : The off is the start of the race, officially timed off course bookies will not usually take bets after this time but with betting exchanges you can usually get a bet right upto the winning post..
Off The Bit : or off the bridle, horses in the earlier stages of a race are held hard by the jockey and travelling well they are said to be 'on the bit' or 'on the bridle' when given their head or 'let down' and urged for an effort they are said to be off the bit or off the bridle.
On : betting term meaning that a bet or sidebet has been struck
Overweight: if a jockey can't get his weight down to the weight due to be carried the difference between that weight and the weight shown on the weighing room scales is called overweight.
Paddock : Before each race horses are led round the parade ring in the paddock area this is a good opportunity to assess them for looks, temperament and fitness.
Pattern Races : the most important flat races have been formed into coherent 'pattern' throughout the season to give suitably space opportunities for the best horses according to age, sex and racing distance.
Penalty: This term refers to extra weight added to a horse's original weight in a race as a consequence of it having won a race in the period between having entered for this race and actually taking part in it. This penalty is usually applied when the handicapper has not had time to assess the original weight allocation.
Photo Finish: first used in Epson in April 1947 a camera is installed in line with the winning post which then photographs the finish of a race and where several horses cross the winning line together allows the judges to decide which horse crossed the line first.
Pitch: where the bookmaker places his pitch this is not a random choice there is a system in place for each course. the best pitches are in the front rank of Tattersalls Ring.
Place: a horse that wins, is second or third or in big race fields finishes fourth, or sometimes fifth and sixth. is a placed horse.
Point to Point: amateur races run over fences under the auspices of individual hunts also known as racing between the flags.
Pony: in betting terms a stake of £25
Pressure: a horse that when off the bit has to be driven to keep his place or to make further effort is said to come under pressure.
Prize Money: this is the sum total of the fees paid in entries, forfeits and declaration by the owners and a sum added by the racecourse executive commercial or other sponsors.