CAME AGAIN
A phrase used in the formbook to indicate a horse that has renewed its effort after dropping back in a race
CAMERA PATROL
First officially used at Newmarket, and 30th of June, 1960.
Cameras originally photographed the closing stages of a race from different angles, including head on, and later the coverage was extended to provide, by means of a mobile camera, complete visual record of a race.
The overall aim is to provide evidence when of an objection is launched or there is a Stewart’s inquiry. With widespread use of closed circuit television on race courses, the video re-run reinforces the evidence of the camera patrol.
Together their use has been instrumental, in recent years, in discouraging the skulduggery and malpractice in race riding that often occurred in days gone by.
CARD
Abbreviation for race card, the official program of runners on sale on race courses.
Also appears in newspaper headings such as Chepstow card or card for Uttoxeter.
Used in such phrases as the best bet on the card is, also”going through the card”. This means, specifically, Selection, or association with every winner on the card.
CARPET
For anyone bemused by C4’s presentation of betting with John McCririck’s slow motion tic tac and use of strange betting terms may be interested to know that carpet one of his favourites, derives from criminals slang for a three month stretch in prison.
Hence, carpet is three to one in the betting. The late John O’Neill had a far wider grasp of esoteric betting terminology, however, and his return of the starting price in the press room of northern race courses is much missed.
CAST IN HIS/HER BOX
Horses which have lain down in their stable loose box or travelling horse box, and have difficulty in getting up again off the straw are said to be cast in the box;
Not a welcome happening on the day of a race.
CHALK JOCKEY
A phrase used to describe a rider who is not successful enough, or, in the case of apprentices, a rider who has not yet ridden enough winners to justify having his or her name painted on one of the jockeys and riders boards, which fit into the numbers board on the racecourse.
Instead, the name is chalked or whitewashed on a blank board.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jockeys and trainers championships are decided, respectively, by the greatest number of winners ridden and the largest amount of win prize money earned in a season.
Moreover, these are titles simply by tradition. There is no official recognition of championships whatsoever, although the jockeys championships used to generate plenty of betting on the outcome.
CHASE
Common abbreviation for steeplechase, which, in turn, is derived from the fact that in Ireland in 1752, Mr. Edmund Blake was challenged by Mr. O Callahan to race their home turf four and a half miles across country from Buttevant church to that at St Ledger, the steeple of the latter being the winning post.
From that event was evolved eventually national hunt racing, the cornerstone of which is the steeplechase, but without the steeples.
A chase, these days, is a race over fences, at a distance from two miles to four miles plus, the most commonly three miles. The fences, constructed of birch, consist of plain fences, open ditches, and a water jump, which is spectacular but considered by many an unnecessarily dangerous obstacle which has cost the lives of chasers in the past.
Under the rules of racing, horses cannot be put to fences until at least July of the year in which they are four years old. In practice, it is common for chasers not to appear in public until they are five or six, often after they have had a hurdling career.
CLAIMING RACE
Also known as a claimer. This is a race in which any runner may be claimed after the race for an advertised sum or more.
If the owner of any runner wishes it to carry less than the maximum weight, the price at which it may be claimed is reduced accordingly. The rules of racing stipulate that the median price for which a horse may be claimed out of a claiming race is the figure published next to its name on the race card.
Since the weight actually carried by the horse in the race depends on this minimum amount for which it may be claimed, the trainer handicaps his own horse. After the race, any claims must be made in writing. Any claim must be higher or equal to the race claim figure.
A friendly claim may be made by connections of a runner in the race. It is an attempt to retain a charge by making a bid higher than any competing claim. All claims must be sealed and placed into claims box on the clerk of the scales table, not later than ten minutes after the all right signal has been authorized by the Steward’s.
Claims may not be withdrawn or altered. The horse goes to the person submitting the highest claim above the minimum price. Lots are drawn in the event of a tie.
The owner receives 15% of any surplus above published minimum claiming price as well as 90% of that minimum. The racecourse receives the remaining 85% of the surplus and 10% to a book published minimum.
Connections submitting a friendly claim must therefore pay 85% of the surplus and 10% of the minimum in order to keep their horse if the bid is successful
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