Horse Racing Terms

noun an instance of refusing to proceed or act

verb to hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking

• The company decided to balk at the proposed merger due to potential risks involved.
• I saw him balk at the idea of going to the party alone.
• She always baulks at doing her homework on time.
• Don't balk at the opportunity to travel and explore new places.

noun a wager or gamble

verb to risk something on the outcome of an event or a contest

• I am willing to place a bet on the outcome of the stock market.
• I bet you can't finish that pizza in under 10 minutes!
• I'm gonna bet on the Lakers winning the championship this year.
• She's willing to bet her reputation on the success of this project.

noun a person who bets, especially on horse races or other sporting events

• The bettor carefully studied the odds before placing a wager on the horse race.
• The bettor was feeling lucky and decided to put some money on the game.
• The bettor was feeling like a high roller and went all in on the poker hand.
• As a bettor in the game of life, he took risks and made bold decisions to achieve success.

noun A person or company that takes bets on sporting events and sets the odds for those bets

• The bookmaker set the odds for the upcoming horse race.
• I heard the bookmaker is taking bets on the football game this weekend.
• The bookmaker is the go-to guy for placing bets on the fights.
• In a way, the author acts as the bookmaker of their own stories, determining the outcomes for their characters.

noun a young female horse, usually under the age of four

adjective relating to or characteristic of a filly

• The filly showed great potential on the racetrack.
• I can't wait to see that filly race next weekend!
• That filly is a real speed demon!
• She's just a young filly trying to find her way in the world.

noun a person hired to take care of horses or other animals

• The groom looked dashing in his tailored suit on his wedding day.
• The groom was all smiles as he waited at the altar for his bride.
• Man, the groom was totally rocking that tuxedo!
• As the project manager, he had to groom the team to meet the deadlines.

noun informal: a person or thing that is outstanding or surpasses others in some way

• The contestant was accused of being a ringer in the talent competition.
• I heard that new guy is a real ringer when it comes to fixing cars.
• She's a total ringer when it comes to playing video games.
• The unexpected arrival of her old friend was a real ringer in her otherwise mundane day.

noun a person who competes in steeplechase races, typically a long-distance runner who clears obstacles such as hurdles and water jumps

• The steeplechaser gracefully navigated the obstacles on the racecourse.
• Did you see that steeplechaser jump over the hurdles? They were so fast!
• That steeplechaser is a total pro at clearing those jumps!
• In life, we all have to be like steeplechasers, overcoming obstacles to reach our goals.

noun a sum of money or something else of value that is staked on the outcome of a contest or event

verb to risk something on the outcome of a contest or event

• He placed a sizable wager on the outcome of the horse race.
• I bet you $20 that I can finish this puzzle before you.
• I'm gonna put some money down on the game tonight, wanna join?
• She decided to wager her reputation on the success of the project.

adjective describing something that is without a rider

• The riderless horse galloped through the field, its reins flapping in the wind.
• I saw a riderless bike parked outside the store, I wonder where the owner went.
• The riderless skateboard zipped down the hill, narrowly avoiding a collision.
• The team felt like a riderless ship without their leader to guide them.

noun the act or sport of engaging in races or competitions

• The evidence presented makes it a racing certainty that the defendant is guilty.
• With all the witnesses against him, it's a racing certainty that he'll be found guilty.
• It's a racing certainty that she'll win the competition with her skills.
• The dark clouds gathering in the sky are a racing certainty of an approaching storm.