Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions engrossed by the action across the planet. 

Not only that, but the sport is also one of the biggest economic sectors, with racing employing hundreds and thousands of people. 

However, it is most famous for being one of the most entertaining sports to bet on, with passionate fans keeping tabs on prep races ahead of the Breeders’ Cup here: https://www.twinspires.com/breeders-cup/prep-races/

But, betting on racing isn’t as straightforward as wagering on other sports, as there is almost a different language used within the sport. You can learn more about some of the most important phrases and sayings in racing here. 

Words For The Horse

Of course, the stars of racing are the equines themselves, but even they have slightly different names depending on their age and sex. Foals are younger horses, while they develop into colts or fillies depending on their sex.  

The former represents a male horse, while the latter is a younger female horse. Female horses aged four and older are called mares. Meanwhile, male horses that are castrated are called geldings. In racing, there will be specific races for horses depending on their age and experience. For example, the Epsom Derby, which is run annually in the UK in June, is run only by horses aged three, and it was won in 2025 by Aidan O’Brien-trained Lambourn. 

Areas Of The Horse

Before wagering on racing, it is also important to learn more about the names of places on the body of the animal. Firstly, the equines are measured in ‘hands’, which is an old metric system that is still used in this modern day. 

One hand measure to around four inches, with horses measured from the top of their shoulder to the front of their saddle. The mane of the horse is the hair running down the length of the equine’s back. A forelock is the hair that grows over the forehead, almost like a human fringe. Finally, a hoof is the name given to the foot of a horse. 

Types of Movement

Like humans, horses also have different names for the type of exercise that they are completing. Walking is the gentlest form of exercise completed by a horse, as they will typically travel under 4 mph. 

A trot is slightly quickly, almost like a human jog, with the equines travelling at 8 mph. A canter is one of the most popular forms of exercise in racing, with equines using more energy when travelling up to 17 mph. 

The most intense form of exercise completed by a horse is a gallop, which enables a runner to cover ground quicker at up to 30 mph. However, Sovereignty would have run quicker than this speed when winning the Kentucky Derby. 

Equipment Used on a Horse

Getting involved in equestrian sports also means that newcomers will need a deeper understanding surrounding the equipment that is used. 

Firstly, a tack is the equipment use on horses, while a head collar fits behind the ears to help lead and tie up a horse. An important piece of equipment when riding a horse is the bridle, which allows the rider to control the equine. 

Riders will also hold the reins when aboard a horse, and this is attached to the bit and loops around the horse’s neck. Riders will sit on a saddle when aboard a horse, and this is supported by the girth, which runs behind the front legs to ensure that there is no movement when the equine is running at high speeds. 

Racing-Specific Equipment

There are a number of pieces equipment specific to horse racing, and all can have an impact on the eventual outcome of a race. Blinkers are a piece of headgear that can be worn by a horse to cup around the eyes. 

This will limit the vision of the equine, ensuring that it doesn’t get distracted by the horses around it. This will help a horse focus on the task in front of them, and it is typically marked in a race card with a ‘b’. 

Cheekpieces are another piece of racing-specific equipment that can be utilised to improve performance. These are attached to a horse’s bridle, and they obscure the rear vision of a horse. Like blinkers, these are attached to improve concentration of a runner, and are marked in a race card with a ‘p’. 

The final piece of equipment that can be used by a trainer is a hood. This tool is similar to blinkers, but the exception of covering a horse’s ears. This is typically used on younger horses, as it limits the noise to ensure that the equine isn’t spooked and is able to concentrate on the race that they are competing in.