Horse racing ratings in the UK can seem a bit puzzling at first glance. If you’ve come across terms like OR (Official Rating), TS (Topspeed), and RPR (Racing Post Rating) on racecards, you might be unsure what they really show.
This blog will explain the main ratings you usually see, what each one means, and how you can read them. The aim is to help you better understand horse racing – whether you follow as a fan or use ratings when thinking about betting.
Once you’re familiar with these ratings, you can begin to make sense of form guides and race previews with much more confidence.
Breaking Down Official Rating (OR) in Racing
The Official Rating, often called OR, is a number given to each horse by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). This score shows how well a horse has performed in the past and is used as the key measure to compare one horse’s ability to another, especially in UK handicap races.
A higher OR means a horse has shown a higher level of ability, based on race results. Most flat racehorses are rated between 0 and 120, while top jump horses can go higher. Every week, the BHA’s official handicapper reviews results and changes ORs if horses have improved or underperformed.
In handicap races, weights are then added or taken away depending on a horse’s OR. This is aimed at giving each runner a similar chance on the day. If you notice a horse carrying a lot more or less weight, it’s likely due to a difference in OR.
While the OR is a reliable guide to ability, it’s only part of the picture. Plenty of other details, like the going or course, can affect what happens in a race.
What Topspeed Rating (TS) Tells You About a Horse
Topspeed (TS), found on Racing Post racecards, is all about how fast a horse completed a race, compared with the usual time for that distance at a particular course.
TS ratings are based on race times, with adjustments for ground conditions and the shape of the track. A higher TS score points to a quicker run on those specific terms. For example, a TS of 90 suggests a faster performance than a TS of 75, in similar conditions.
TS ratings can reveal horses that may do well in races, run at a brisk pace or whose recent faster runs could be missed, especially if the odds do not reflect their speed. As with OR, many factors affect every race, so use TS to highlight points of interest rather than as a guarantee.
The way TS approaches performance is more focused on speed and the actual time a horse recorded, rather than overall race quality.
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Racing Post Rating (RPR) – What It Really Means
The Racing Post Rating, or RPR, is worked out by private handicappers at the Racing Post. It’s a single figure, shown on racecards, that sums up how well a horse ran in a given race, taking into account position, weight carried, and the standard of rivals.
Unlike the official OR, RPR is an independent view. It uses the same kind of information, but weighs up a horse’s performance using the Racing Post team’s own criteria. The scale goes from single figures up to 130 or more for the very best.
Because RPR is updated after each race, it can draw attention to horses whose performance may be improving more quickly – or dipping more sharply – than their official OR suggests. Using RPR alongside the OR gives you a different viewpoint on form, rather than relying on official figures alone.
How to Use OR, TS and RPR to Assess Horses
When looking at a race, these three ratings together help you spot a horse’s possible strengths or spot trends that one rating on its own might not show.
Key Differences Between Popular Racing Ratings
- Official Rating (OR): The “official” BHA score based on a horse’s past results, mainly used to set weights in handicap races.
- Topspeed (TS): Measures how quickly a horse completed a race compared to the course and distance average, adjusted for ground and track.
- Racing Post Rating (RPR): A view provided by Racing Post staff, weighing up form, finishing position and rivals’ standard.
By comparing these, you may spot horses that might seem underrated if their TS or RPR is better than their OR. Likewise, sometimes you might see a horse with a solid OR, but middling TS, which might hint at stamina over outright pace.
Why Ratings Matter for Horse Racing Fans
Having ratings at your fingertips makes it much simpler to compare horses. You can see at a glance which runners have shown high ability, exceptional speed, or reliable recent form.
Ratings can also help you question race odds, spotting horses that stand out in at least one rating. Combining ratings with other details (like track conditions or recent trainer form) can help give a fuller view of each race.
If you decide to bet, be sure to check the terms and conditions with each bookmaker, as they may differ between sites.
Understanding ratings is all about giving you more ways to try and enjoy the sport and view races with more knowledge on hand.
Tips for Interpreting Horse Racing Numbers
- Look for any patterns: Check if a horse’s ratings are rising, staying the same or falling across its last few runs.
- Make comparisons: Horses with much higher or lower numbers than others may be worth a second look, but nothing is certain.
- Account for conditions: Ratings like TS are shaped by the going and the course – a good run on heavy ground isn’t the same as the same score on quick turf.
- Read them together: Bringing the OR, TS and RPR together can help show if a horse may be more of a speed type, or if it might stay well at a strong pace.
Bookmakers and betting markets sometimes weigh up these ratings differently, which is why you may notice different odds across sites. Always read the rules before you place a bet, and be sure to gamble responsibly.
