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| G.P.B.D. |
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Group Preferential Barrier Draw: Indicates the computer shall divide the field in half and then apply N.P.D. to each half of the field.
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| Gait |
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Harness horses are divided into two distinct groups, pacers or trotters, depending on their gait when racing. The gait is the manner in that a horse moves its legs when running. The pacer is a horse with a lateral gait, whereas a trotter or square-gaiter has a diagonal gait.
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| Gallop |
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A horse's fastest gait. This term is also used to refer to a workout. In slang terms it refers to an easy race or workout, compared with one in which the horse is urged ("My horse in the second race just galloped!")
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| Gap |
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An opening in the rail where horses enter and leave the racetrack.
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| Garrison Finish |
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Drawing a fine finish on a winner, usually coming from off the pace, Derived from "Snapper" Garrison, old-time rider given to that practice.
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| Gastric Ulcers |
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Ulceration of a horse's stomach. Often causes symptoms of abdominal distress (colic) and general unthriftiness.
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| Gate |
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A shortened term referring to the starting gate. It is also used to refer to the physical entrance of the track. Track management will use this term to refer to attendance for the day.
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| Gate Card |
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A card, issued by the starter, stating that a horse is properly schooled in starting gate procedures.
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| Gear |
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The equipment carried by trotters and pacers. Gear can generally be split into three categories: pads on the legs to prevent self-inflicted injury; equipment to balance a horse in its stride; and equipment to correct waywardness or erratic behaviour. The equipment also helps a driver maintain control. Some horses are not as well-mannered or gaited as others and may require a lugging pole, shadow roll, headcheck, shin boots and/or knee boots.
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| Gelding |
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A Gelding is a male that has been castrated to correct behavior that would make them difficult to train for racing, or to encourage bodily growth.
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| Get into |
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The act of a rider when he takes the whip to the horse and gives him full head.
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| Gimmick Bets |
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A slang term, referring to exotic bets, that is, any bets other than straight win, place and show bets. The term comes from the philosophy that it's tough enough to pick one horse, let alone more than one.
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| Gimpy |
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This term describes a horse that is slightly lame.
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| Girth |
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An elastic and leather band, sometimes covered with sheepskin, that passes under a horse's belly and is connected to both sides of the saddle.
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| Go on |
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When referring to a horse, to win at a new, longer distance.
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| Goggles |
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Equipment worn by jockeys, over the eyes to protect them from flying material kicked up from horses in front of them. Jockeys can be found to wear several pairs of goggles in one race, disposing of them as their vision is impaired during the running of the race.
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| Going |
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The condition of a racing surface. When referring to a horse, going is it's stride ("way of going").
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| Going-Away |
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A race animal winning a race while increasing the lead.
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| Gone |
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A horse which has lost all chances of winning in a race, or after racing well for part of the race, then runs out of energy and falls back in the field.
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| Good (Track) |
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Condition between fast and slow, generally a bit wet. A dirt track that is almost fast or a turf course slightly softer than firm.
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| Good Bottom |
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Track that is firm under the surface, which may be sloppy or wet.
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| Good Track |
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A racing surface rated between slow and fast. Moisture remains in the strip but the footing is adequate.
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| Grab |
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This is the act of a horse catching his foreleg with a hind foot, because of faulty conformation. Causes stumbling and loss of stride.
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| Grab a Quarter |
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Injury to the back of the hoof or foot caused by a horse stepping on itself (usually affects the front foot). Being stepped on from behind in the same manner, usually affects the back foot. A very common injury during racing. Generally, the injury is minor.
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| Grade |
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A letter rating describing how a greyhound compares to other greyhounds in ability. Grades range from Grade AA, the top grade, through Grade D.
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| Graded Race |
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Established in 1973 to classify select stakes races in North America, at the request of European racing authorities, who had set up group races two years earlier. Always denoted with Roman numerals I, II, or III. Capitalized when used in race title (the Grade I Kentucky Derby). See 'Group Race' below.
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| Graded Stake |
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This is a race in which eligibility is limited to horses in one or another classification, as determined by the Racing Secretary. Graded allowances and grade handicaps are common. A more current use of this term was born out of the establishment of a National Grading Committee who picks out the best stakes across the country. Of these prime events they are "graded" from Grade I down to Grade III.
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| Graduate |
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Winning first time, horse or rider. Also, graduate of the claiming ranks-a horse, that has moved up to allowance, stakes or handicap racing.
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| Grand |
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GBP£ 1,000 (also known as a Big'un).
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| Grand Circuit |
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A selection of group one races which are contested by the best pacers in Australia and New Zealand. The Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile, Australian Pacing Championship, Victoria Cup, Queensland Championship and New Zealand Cup are some of the races included in the Australasian Grand Circuit. Points are awarded to the winner and placegetters in each grand circuit event, with the highest point scorer being declared the Grand Circuit Champion for that season of racing.
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| Grandsire |
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The grandfather of a horse; father ("sire") of the horse's dam or sire.
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| Grass Slip |
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Used in some areas, permission to exercise a horse on the turf course.
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| Gravel |
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Infection of the hoof resulting from a crack in the white line (the border between the insensitive and sensitive laminae). An abscess usually forms in the sensitive structures and eventually breaks at the coronet as the result of the infection.
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| Gray |
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A horse color where the majority of the coat is a mixture of black and white hairs. The mane, tail and legs may be either black or gray unless white markings are present. Starting with foals of 1993, the color classifications gray and roan were combined as "roan or gray." See roan.
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| Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation |
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A charitable organization, established in 1989, which combined the Grayson Foundation (established 1940) and The Jockey Club Research Foundation (established 1982). The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is devoted to equine medical research.
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| Green |
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Immature or inexperienced. Young horses, such as two-year-olds may be referred to as being green. As well, a horse of any age which does not have much racing experience, may be referred to as having raced greenly. This generally means the horse in question does a few things wrong when racing.
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| Green Osselet |
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An inflammation and swelling in the fetlock joint of young horses, particularly on the front of the joints where the cannon and long pastern bones meet. See arthritis.
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| Groom |
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A stable employee who cares for horses and performs daily chores such as grooming, bedding stall, bandaging, feeding, tacking and preparing for a race.
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| Group Race |
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An elite group of races. Established in 1971 by racing organizations in Britain, France, Germany and Italy to classify select stakes races outside North America. Collectively called 'Pattern Races'. Equivalent to North American graded races. Always denoted with Arabic numerals 1, 2, or 3. Capitalized when used in race title (the Group 1 Epsom Derby). See 'Graded Race' above.
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| Group Races |
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An elite group of races. A group one race is a grand circuit event, free-for-all, handicap or classic event of national importance, which offers minimum prizemoney of $50,000 with respect to pacing events. A provisional group one race is one that has a history of less than ten years. A group two race is a handicap, free-for-all or classic event of major or State importance, where with the exception of Sires' Stakes Finals, the primary eligibility of horses is not restricted by any conditions. Minimum prizemoney must be $20,000 in respect of races for pacers.
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| Growth Plates |
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Located at the end of long bones where they grow in length. See physis.
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| Grunting |
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This term describes the noise that most roarers make when they tense their abdomen. It is heard when they jump a fence, roll in their stall and when they make any quick move.
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| Guaranteed Purse |
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When a purse is advertised as guaranteed, it is saying, regardless of any added monies contributed by horsemen or sponsorship, a fixed amount will be paid. In the event there is money left over it is either retained by the track or disbursed to breeders or other finishers in the race. In the event there is a shortage of funds, the track makes up the difference.
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| Guttural Pouch |
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A sac in the side of the head that may become infected. The sac is a pouch that is part of the eustachian tube, a passage between the pharynx and the inner ear and is unique to the horse.
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| Gymkhana |
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A further step toward the full race meeting situation, very similar to a trial. The conducting club often offers non-monetary prizes for winners and placegetters.
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| Gypsy |
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A term to refer to an itinerant owner or trainer; "gyp".
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