A racecard is the list of runners and their details for a race. Once you know what each column means, it tells you almost everything you need to size up the contest. Here is each element, in the order you will usually meet it.
The runner number and the draw
Every horse has a racecard number (its saddle-cloth number), which is simply how the horse is identified. In flat races you will also see the draw in brackets: the number of the starting stall the horse breaks from. On some tracks the draw matters a lot, especially in big-field sprints, where a low or high number can be an advantage. See does the draw matter? for more.
Form figures
Next to the horse's name you will see its form: a string of numbers and letters showing recent finishing positions, most recent on the right. So 3-121 means the horse finished (reading left to right) third, then unplaced across a season break (the dash), then first, second, first.
- 1 to 9 the finishing position; 0 means it finished outside the top nine.
- - separates racing seasons; / a longer break.
- P or PU pulled up, F fell, U or UR unseated rider, R refused, BD brought down (all jumps terms).
Weight, jockey and trainer
Each horse carries a weight, shown in stones and pounds (for example 9-07 means nine stone seven pounds). In a handicap, better horses carry more weight to level the field. The card also names the jockey and trainer; an apprentice or conditional jockey may claim a weight allowance, shown as a small number after their name.
Official rating (OR)
The official rating is the handicapper's mark for the horse, a number that measures its ability. Higher is better. It is the basis for the weights in a handicap. We explain it fully in official rating explained.
Headgear and other letters
Small letters after a horse's name flag equipment or status:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| b | blinkers |
| v | visor |
| h | hood |
| p | cheekpieces |
| t | tongue tie |
| 1 (superscript) | first time in that headgear |
| C / D / CD | course winner / distance winner / course-and-distance winner |
| BF | beaten favourite last time |
The odds
Finally, the odds (the price) show what the market thinks of each runner's chance. Shorter odds (for example 2/1) mean a stronger chance in the market's view; longer odds (16/1) a weaker one. The odds move as money is placed, so the card you see in the morning may look different by the off.
Reading a racecard is really about combining these: recent form, the class and type of race, the weight and rating, the going and, at some tracks, the draw. With practice you can weigh them in seconds.