Horse Racing Handicapping

The principle behind horse racing handicapping is to basically give each horse in a race an equal opportunity to win. Weights carried are adjusted according to the ability of each horse racing, so those with a better chance of winning are given heavier weights and those less likely to win lower weights. The horse racing handicapping is carried out by the British Horseracing Authority, they provide all the handicap ratings making sure that all legislation is stringently adhered to, and providing continual checks on performance so that ratings can be amended and the key principles remain true and fair to all horses entered for each and every race. These ratings are carried out by a team of twelve horse racing handicapping experts who analyse the form of each and every horse in the UK, the results of which will decide which races a horse can be entered into. Basically the higher the rating given by the horse rating handicapping team means the better the horse performs with resultant heavier weight.

The horse racing handicapping experts perform many other valuable services such as advising on issues that may arise in disciplinary or other matters to do with horse racing and also to assist stewards at race meetings. They also liaise with world racing organisations to determine rankings and also to help select top runners in worldwide race meetings. The services that the British Horseracing Authority performs are essential to maintaining fair play and ensuring the standards and integrity which is associated with British racing continues.

As with all rules and regulations it is inevitable that sometimes there will be attempts to ‘manipulate’ the ratings slightly, not of course that we are inferring that there is any dishonesty at play but that there are ways that those in the know can allow the system to work in their favour for short periods of time. As an example, ratings are only carried out once a week so any major improvements in form will not be able to be adjusted until the following week allowing for a horse to have the opportunity to race at an advantage, and even when reassessed the horse can only be weighted an extra 3, 5 or 7 pounds when in reality the rating should possibly be much higher. This clearly can give a horse quite substantial opportunity to win races. That said, the horse racing handicapping ratings system is one of the best regulated and monitored in the world and comes very close to allowing for an even playing field.