Time to give up weight in Racing?

Bryndu

Bryndu

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Hi all,
Watching the Welsh Grand National yesterday.....and not really understanding about weights in racing.....I was cheering on Teaforthree....who cam second.
Monbeg Dude came first...an excellent ride from the jockey.
As they finished and did the re runs.....it was pointed out that Teaforthree was carrying 15lbs more weight than Monbeg Dude.
My first question is....why do we need some horses to ride at heavier weights than others.
My second question is....why doesn't everyone just ride at the same weight.
Many thanks and Jaffa Cakes in advance.
Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Bryndu said:
Hi all,
Watching the Welsh Grand National yesterday.....and not really understanding about weights in racing.....I was cheering on Teaforthree....who cam second.
Monbeg Dude came first...an excellent ride from the jockey.
As they finished and did the re runs.....it was pointed out that Teaforthree was carrying 15lbs more weight than Monbeg Dude.
My first question is....why do we need some horses to ride at heavier weights than others.
My second question is....why doesn't everyone just ride at the same weight.
Many thanks and Jaffa Cakes in advance.
Best wishes
Bryndu
Click to expand...

The idea is that the better horses carry more weight, and the worse horses less. IN THEORY they should all arrive at the finish at the same time, thus making for a great race.

It mixes things up a little. Otherwise racing would be a bit more predictable.

Many types of races don't have this system (called handicapping) so all the horses do carry the same weight - although it's adjusted for their sex and age. So a 4YO would carry more than a 3YO, and a colt more than a filly.

Tell me if I got this wrong, race folk...
 
I'm very pleased Monbeg Dude came first my OH won 150 quid on him :). We backed him purely because of the weight he was carrying. In heavy testing ground it makes a difference and as explained above its to level out the field and make for an exciting race which it certainly did!
 
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