Horse Racing Terminology Part 2: Thoroughbred Classifications

If you are new to horse racing betting, you may be in need of an introductory course, which is why I decided to write this series on horse racing terminology.  In our first installment, I talked about the different types of horse races.  I will also shortly introduce the different types of straight and exotic horse racing wagers.  Now I want to tell you more about the different types of thoroughbreds and how they are classified. 

It is important to be familiar with these terms, since certain types of races are only for certain types of horses.  Familiarity with these classifications will also help you to understand the histories and parentage of different horses in the races, which is essential if you want to understand their breeding and capabilities and be successful when gambling on horse racing betting sites.

• Broodmare:  This is a female horse used for breeding racehorses. 
• Stud:  This is a male horse used for breeding racehorses.
• Broodmare sire:  This is the sire of a broodmare.
• Colt:  This refers to a non-gelded male horse under five years of age.
• Filly:  This is a female horse under five years of age.  An “Oaks” race is a race specifically for three-year-old fillies. 
• Gelding:  This is a male horse which has been castrated.
• Dam:  This is a horse’s mother.
• Sire:  This is a horse’s father.
• Foal:  This is a baby horse.
• Horse:  This, believe it or not, is a highly specific term, and refers to a non-gelded male that is five years of age or more.
• Juvenile:  This is a horse that is two years old.
• Maiden:  A horse that has never won a race.  There are races specifically for these horses called “maiden” races.
• Mare:  This is a female horse age five or older.
• Stallion:  This is a non-gelded male horse of any age.
• Yearling:  This is a one-year-old horse.

Now you should have a better understanding of what you are reading when you are researching different horses which will be running in races.  You will know the age and sex of the horse, whether or not it has won a race, and you will have a better understanding of its breeding.  You also will know exactly the types of horses that will be running in certain races. 

In our next installment on horse racing (Part 3), I will introduce you to more of the general terminology that goes with betting on horse races, as well as teach you more about how to bet on horse racing in general.