Are you fond of horse racing, and have you ever put a bet on any horse, then one of the first things that you will be considered while choosing the horse is the horse racing ratings. This rating reflects the past performance of the horse. It shows which horse is the best for a particular race. Here we would like to mention that horse race ratings should not be the sole criteria to determine whether or not the horse is good enough, the type of race, and the ground on which the horse is performing also plays an important role. It shows the performance of the horse. Let’s explore more about horse racing ratings in this blog.
How is Horse Racing Ratings Constructed?
There are many people who like to delve a bit deeper into the concepts and want to know how the horse racing rating is constructed, what forms the core of it and what influences it. So, let’s expand this topic ahead:
First, we would like to mention that the rating is different, and they can change. But the fact is that conventionally, the horse racing is decided on three parameters:
- Race Strength
- Beaten margin adjustments
- Weight carried adjustments
Race Strength
The first thing that we need to consider is race strength. Although there are set standards for this, the fact of the matter is that every race is different and dynamic.
Beaten Margin Adjustment
The next parameter that impacts the horse racing ratings is the beaten margin adjustment. Any horse that has finished just behind the winner has been beaten by some margin, and this reduces its rating. For example, if the scale was 1.5 points per length, then a horse that has been beaten twice will have its ratings reduced by 3 points. They deduct these points from the race strength measure. Any horse that finished behind the winner must have their rating reduced for the margin they were beaten.
Weight Card Adjustment
The next factor that affects the horse race ratings is the weight card adjustment. Every horse in a race carries a certain amount of weight which affects the performance of the horse. Hence for the calculation of the weight, the two horses are carrying a similar weight must be compared.
Other Factors:
There are other factors that may impact the ratings:
- Interference at any point in the race.
- Horse and jockey may sometime take advantage of the track pattern, and sometimes it may prove disadvantageous.
- Tactics used by the jockey, which may have a negative impact on performing the race.
Summing up the Factors that contribute to Horse Race Ratings:
Race Strength + Beaten Margin Adjustment + Weight Carried Adjustment + Subjective Adjustment (if any) = FINAL RATING
By now, you have gained information about the different factors that contribute to horse rate ratings, now the next point that we will highlight, in brief, is how to choose the horse in a race.
Factors to consider while choosing a Horse for the Race:
- Track the history of the horse and how it has performed previously.
- Even the best-rated horse, if they don’t have the expertise on a particular ground may lose. Hence, you must choose the horse based on the ground condition.
- Check their horse race tips. Besides the above factors, you must also check the horse race ratings, so you get the best horse.
Hope this information was useful, and now you can easily interpret the meaning of horse racing ratings, and the factors affecting it.
