How are handicap weights calculated?

What is the weight-for-age scale in horse racing?

The weight-for-age scale dictates the allowance received by younger horses. It varies according to the time of year and race distance. The linked table incorporates revisions made to the weight some 3yos and 4yos now receive from older horses following a BHA study into its racing data.

What is the minimum weight for a horse race?

When competing against older horses in Metropolitan races, the Handicapper will determine an appropriate allowance, if any when assessing their overall form against that of the current WFA scale. The minimum weight at night meetings shall be 55kg. All weights at Picnic meetings relate to a 63kg minimum.

What is the BHA’s horse racing handicapping?

According to the BHA, it has 11 handicappers who work tirelessly to ensure the sport remains competitive. It publishes a list of updated ORs every single week. The higher the rating, the better the horse.

What does the “+” after a horse’s rating mean?

Western Australia places a “+” symbol after the race rating. Horses whose benchmark rating is above that of the race are assigned an additional ½ kg. for every point by which it exceeds the race rating, up to the maximum permissible weight. The other states are basically similar, with SA and WA being fairly similar.

What is the minimum weight for a horse race in England?

The minimum weight was last raised in 2002, from 7 stone 10 lb to 7 stone 12 lb. Dr Michael Turner, Chief Medical Advisor to the British Horseracing Authority, said:

What is the minimum top weight for a horse race?

The minimum top weight of 59kg is still used for 2yo races where there can be a lack of exposed form and in many cases, unraced colts and geldings are often required to carry top weight.

What is the purpose of the age limit in horse racing?

In theory it allows horses of different ages to run against each other on equal terms.

What is the weight for age scale on horse racing?

The weight for Age (WFA) scale has been in use for many years now. Here is the basic scale brought to you by Pureform. The weight for age scale on thoroughbred horse racing has been in existence since the 19th century and was devised originally by Admiral Rous, a handicapper with the English Jockey Club.

What does the BHA do for handicap racing?

The BHA Handicapping department will conduct research and analysis to ensure its policies are optimal in achieving a fair outcome for horses racing in British handicaps. Why do we have handicap races?

What happens when a horse’s rating is raised?

As a general rule of thumb when a horse performs better than its assigned current rating then it will probably be raised. And if the revised mark is larger than it current handicap band it will have to step up in class for its next race.

What is the weight for picnic horse racing?

All weights at Picnic meetings relate to a 63kg minimum. The minimum top weight at the declaration of handicaps at Picnic races is 67kg. Minimum top weight at acceptance time is 66kg. In horse racing, weight-for-age (WFA) is a definition of the conditions for a race.

Why do horses have different weights in horse races?

In some races, horses are assigned different weights to carry to reflect differences in ability, a process known as handicapping.

How are horse races decided by the merit rating?

Now when the race is run the horses will beat each other by a certain number of lengths, which can be translated into half-kilos using the formula. If all horses carry the same weight, then calculated difference from lengths-behind into half-kilos will equal the difference in Merit rating between the horses.

Can a horse with a rating of 85 be entered?

For example, a horse with a rating of 85 could not be entered in a handicap for horses rated 50-75 or for a classified race for horses rated 0-65. We update our handicap ratings every Tuesday in order that a horse’s current rating is a fair reflection of its current form.

Does BHA regulate horse racing?

Please note BHA regulates horseracing and point to pointing in Great Britain. It also approves Rules for Pony and Arab racing. It does not comment on specific matters relating to sports it does not regulate. These are a matter for the regulator of that sport.

What happens if a horse wins a race under a penalty?

If a horse wins a race and has subsequent entries before the handicapper has the chance to reassess the runner, it is allowed to race under a penalty. The penalty is dictated to by the conditions of the race, but is most commonly 6lbs for flat races and 7lbs for jumps.

How many times can a jockey win a horse race before losing?

This reduces to 5lb once they have won 20 races, to 3lb once they have won 50 races and disappears when they have won 95 races. Over Jumps, there is a difference for conditional jockeys in that their 5lb allowance reduces to 3lb once they have won 40 races and disappears after 75 career successes.

What happens when a horse fails to complete a race?

In jumps racing there will of course be occasions when a horse fails to complete a race and a percentage of these incidents will occur in the later stages of the contest. As Handicappers, we are duty bound to assess where we think these non-completers would have finished in relationship to those horses that did complete the race.

How much profit do you get from backing top rated horses?

By adding in a drop in class, backing top rated horses goes from a loss of 6.75% to a loss of just 0.39%; even though the win ratio drops slightly. Horses that drop to Class 3 races (from Class 2) provide 42% profit since 2015, but alas, this figure is a mirage as it is boosted by a remarkable 2015.

What is the average age of a horse to race?

These horses are raced at very young ages, usually beginning at around 2 years of age. Thoroughbreds are not physically mature until 5 years of age, at which point most have been retired from racing.

What is the advantage of a weight rise in horse racing?

The weight rise horses have a much bigger advantage when the going is the same. The handicapper has a tough task. He has to allocate a rating for every horse that runs. His task is to assign a rating such that all the runners in a handicap will finish in one big dead heat.

What is the penalty for winning a horse race after weights?

In the Grand National, for example, there is no penalty for winning a race after the weights have been published. In some Pattern races and conditions races horses are also required to carry a penalty depending on the level of any recent victories.

What is a merit rating in horse racing?

Each horse has a Merit Rating (MR), an assessment of the ability shown on the track. The Merit Rating is expressed in half-kilos. Horses with the same MR are assumed to have similar ability. Each Merit Rating point equals half a kilo. Merit Ratings are calculated by comparing the performances of horses in a race. One horse beats another.