15 Words that mean something different to Racing fans
Features | 21st January 2020
The racing universe is a world littered with jargon, colloquialisms and terms that can be immensely confusing to anyone not entirely au fait with the sport.
Here are 15 words that mean something different to racing people.
Dam
Normal language: A barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply.
Racing language: A horse’s mother.
Sire
Normal language: A respectful form of address for someone of high social status, especially a king.
Racing language: Father of a horse.
Chaser
Normal language: A person or thing that pursues someone or something.
Racing language: A horse taking part in steeplechase races (over fences).
Groom
Normal language: A man who will soon be or has recently been married.
To racing people: A person employed to take care of horses.
Tack
Normal language: A small, sharp broad-headed nail.
Racing language: Essentially, what horses wear. Saddles and bridles are tack.
Chestnut
Normal language: A glossy hard brown edible nut which develops within a bristly case and which may be roasted and eaten.
Racing language: Horse colour varying from light, washy yellow to dark liver orange, and in between are red, gold and liver shades.
Bumper
Normal language: A horizontal bar fixed across the front or back of a motor vehicle to reduce damage in a collision.
Racing language: A Flat race run under Jump Rules, used to educate young prospective jumps horses before they tackle hurdles or fences. Officially called National Hunt Flat Race.
Draw
Normal language: Produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper with a pencil, pen.
Racing language: A horse’s starting position in the stalls allotted in races on the Flat.
Nursery
Normal language: A place where young children and babies are cared for while their parents are somewhere else.
Racing language: A handicap on the Flat for two-year-old horses.
Banker
Normal language: A person who manages or owns a bank or group of banks.
Racing language: The horse expected to win – usually a short priced favourite. The strongest selection in a multiple selection.
Green
Normal language: Of the colour between blue and yellow in the spectrum; coloured like grass or emeralds.
Racing language: Used to describe an immature or inexperienced horse.
Drifter
Normal language: A person who is continually moving from place to place, without any fixed home or job.
Racing language: A horse whose odds get bigger just before the race due to a lack of support in the market. Often referred to as being “on the drift”.
Hand
Normal language: The end part of a person’s arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb.
Racing language: A unit of measurement of a horse – a hand is four inches, and horses are measured from the ground to the withers (the part of the horse where the back and neck meet.)
Nap
Normal language: A short sleep, especially during the day.
Racing language: The best bet of the day from a particular tipster.
Yard
Normal language: A unit of linear measure equal to 3 feet (0.9144 metre).
Racing language: A trainer’s premises from where racehorses are trained.
