How does the handicap system work in horse racing?

A handicap race in horse racing is a race in which horses carry different weights, allocated by the handicapper. A better horse will carry a heavier weight, to give it a disadvantage when racing against slower horses. The skill in betting on a handicap race lies in predicting which horse can overcome its handicap.

What is a horse handicapper?

The one in charge of allocating the weights is called a ‘Handicapper. ‘ It is their job to analyze a horse’s previous performances and deliberate how much weight they need to carry. Each racehorse is assigned an official rating by the horse rating executive.

Is the Gold Cup a handicap?

The Gold Cup is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain, and in 2021 it offered a total prize fund of £468,750.

What does out of the handicap mean in horse racing?

Also called “out of the handicap” – that means the horse is running off a handicap mark which is so far below the top rated horse in the race that they are below the minimum weight allowed for the race that their weight has been raised.

What is the most important factor in handicapping a horse race?

Speed handicapping factors are among the most predictive because (and this will shock nobody) fast horses win races. But what factor is the most predictive? We have found that taking the best 2 speed figures from a horse’s last 3 races and averaging those 2 numbers is the best indication of speed.

What is a nursery handicap?

A nursery race is a handicap for two-year-old racehorses. They are also known as a juvenile race. They are officially-sanctioned races that are open to two-year-old horses only. Two is the age horses must be before they can officially compete, but that doesn’t mean all horses are on an equal footing.

What does down in trip mean in horse racing?

Drop in class/trip. A horse racing in a lower class of race than he has recently run in/running over a shorter distance.