Terms For Horses Ages

Foal - A newborn horse who is no older than one year.

Yearling - A horse who is now over the age of one, but not older than two.

Colt - A young male horse that is usually two years old, but no older than four.

Gelding - A male horse that has been castrated, usually to make their temperament a little more calm.

Filly - A young female horse that is usually two years old, but no older than four.

Mare - A female horse that is usually older than four years old.

Sire - Father of a horse.

Dam - Mother of a horse.

Stallion - A male horse used for breeding purposes.

Broodmare - A female horse used for breeding purposes.

Broodmare Dam - A female horse who has offspring who are also now Broodmares.

Broodmare Sire - A male horse who has female offspring that have now gone on to become successful Broodmares.

Types Of Racehorses Depending On The Distance They Run At

Sprinter - A horse that is usually better over the shortest trips available, and tends to be speedier over a shorter distance than the others.

Miler’s - A horse that usually runs at or just below the mile trip, can also run at 7 furlongs or 1 mile 2 furlongs.

Middledistancer - A horse who tends to operate between the mile and 2-mile trip, so they usually run in races around the 1-mile 4-furlong mark.

Stayer (Flat) - A horse who usually runs around the furthest flat trip of 2 miles plus, but can also be seen at 1 mile 6 furlongs.

Hurdler - A horse that runs over the smaller jumps obstacles at any distance.

Steeplechaser - A horse that runs over the largest obstacles at any distance.

Stayer (Jumps) - A horse that runs in Hurdle or Steeplechase races from 3 miles up to 4 miles.

Types Of Races A Horse Can Run In

Flat - When a horse runs on the turf or all-weather with no obstacles to jump, usually in the summer months.

Hurdle - When a horse runs in a race and jumps over smaller obstacles called Hurdles. They are typically made of a series of panels made of brush and are flexible. They must be a minimum of three and a half feet high.

Novice Hurdle - Horses who begin the season having not won a hurdles race can compete in novice hurdles, usually a younger National Hunt horse.

Steeplechase - When a horse runs in a race and jumps over larger obstacles called Fences, They are made from a mix of birch and spruce or 'other material' and are designed to test a horses timing ability. They must be a minimum of 4ft 6in. 

Novice Steeplechase - Similar to novice hurdlers, these are horses who begin the season having not won a Chase race can compete in novice chases.

National Hunt Flat Races - A flat race commonly referred to as a Bumper, usually over the 2-mile trip on a National Hunt card for prospect jump horses.

Colours Of Racehorses

Grey (Gr) - Ranging from a bright white colour to a grey-coloured coat

Bay (B) -  A range of brown and black coated horses, essentially horses who are neither brown or black but very much in between the two. They usually have black manes and tails, not brown

Chestnut (CH) - A ginger/reddish coloured coat, with the mane and tail to match

Roan (Ro) - A horse with an even match of white hairs and another coloured coat (usually black or brown)

Brown (Br) - A horse that is purely brown coated, with a main and tail to match

Black (Bl) - A horse that is purely black coated, with a main and tail to match - These are pretty rare

White (Wh) - Another rare coat, most horses that appear to be white will be classed as Grey, with black skin. Grey horses tend to get lighter in colour as they get older.