Reverse Dictionary: HORSE RACING

ADJECTIVES
► ALIVE 1. said of a multiple-race bet in horse racing in which the first or early legs of the bet have been won → 1989 Aust. sl.
2. in horse racing; said of a horse subject to heavy betting → 1990 US sl.
► ALL ALONE in horse racing: leading a race by several lengths → 1951 US sl.
► CHOKED DOWN of a racehorse: experiencing difficulty breathing during a race → 1994 US sl.
► CLINKING excellent, admirable, first-rate; esp. used of racehorses → M19 sl.
► CRONK of a horse: unfit to run in a race; said also of the race → 1891 Aust.
► CROOK of a racehorse: not being run to win; of a jockey: not riding to win → 1895 Aust. sl.
► DEAD 1. of a racehorse: not run on its merits; ridden to lose deliberately → 1957 Aust. sl.
2. of a horse racing track: not conducive to fast racing → 20C Aust. sl.
► DEAD TO THE PAN in horse racing, of a horse: likely to win → 20C sl.
► DICKY-LEGGED of a racehorse: having weak legs or a poor galloping technique → 1863 Aust.
► HAIRY-HEELED of racehorses: fast → 1900s sl.
► HANDY in horse racing, of a horse: nimble, easily guided → sl.
► HELL-CLINKING excellent, admirable, first-rate; esp. used of racehorses → M19 sl.
► HOT backed up or generating heavy betting; hence, like to win → 1882 Amer. colloq.
► IN THE MONEY of a horse or rider: finishing in one of the top three positions in a race; broadly, finishing among the top winners → 1902 sl.
► NOT OFF of a horse, or jockey that is considered not to be trying to win a race → 1991 UK sl.
► ON A DEAD ONE betting on a horse that has no chance → L19 sl.
► ON THE LIMB in horse racing: said of a horse forced to the outside → 1964 US sl.
► ON THE NUT in horse racing: to have lost a large amount of money betting → 1951 US sl.
► ON THE WOOD in horse racing: racing along the rail → 1994 US sl.
► OUCHY of a racehorse: sore → 1976 US sl.
► PARKED OUT in horse racing: said of horses forced to the outside on turns → 1994 US sl.
► RANK in horse racing, of a horse: unruly at the starting post → 1951 Amer. dial.
► SMART of a horse or dog: fast; quick → 1760 chiefly horse racing; later also greyhound racing
► UNDERCOVER of a racehorse: trained in secret → 1951 US sl.
► WASHY said of a racehorse sweating, esp. with anxiety → 1976 US sl.

ADVERBS
► ACE-DEUCE riding a racehorse with the right stirrup higher than the left → 1948 US sl.
► HANDILY in horse racing, of the way a horse wins: in an easy manner when not under pressure
► WITH HIS MOUTH WIDE OPEN said of a racehorse that easily wins a race → 1951 US sl.

NOUNS – RACEHORSE
► ACCEPTOR in horse racing: a horse confirmed to start a race → 1839
► AIREDALE a worthless racehorse → 1923 US sl.
► BABY in horse racing: a two-year-old horse → 1976 US sl.
► BADGER in horse racing: an inexpensive horse that qualifies its owner for race track privileges → 1976 US sl.
► BANANA HORSE in horse racing: a horse that is part of a cheating scheme in a fixed race → 1973 US sl.
► BANGTAIL a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► BARRIER ROGUE a horse that is difficult to manage in starting barriers → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► BEAGLE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► BEETLE a race horse → 1934 US turf sl.
► BETTING TOOL a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► BIRD a certainty to win, a cert → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BOOM GALLOPER a horse whose previous performance has been outstanding, and thus is tipped to win this next races easily → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BUM a second-rate racehorse → 1915 depreciative
► BURRO a racehorse that does not perform well → 1947 US sl.
► CAGED LION in horseracing: a racehorse battling back from apparent defeat to win a race → 1989 Aust. sl.
► CAMEL in horse racing: an old or worthless horse → 1898 Amer. sl.
► CATTLE in horse racing: racehorses → 1821 sl.
► CAYUSE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► CERT in sports: a sure winner, as a racehorse → a1889 US sl.
► CHERRY in horse racing: a horse that has yet to win a race → 1951 US sl.
► CHOICE in horse racing: the favoured horse in a race → 1960 US sl.
► COWARD a horse without spirit in a race → 1880
► DAMP SQUIB a racehorse or greyhound that starts well but runs out of steam → 20C Aust. sl.
► DARK HORSE 1. a horse whose form is unknown to the backers but which is supposed to have a good chance → c1830 turf sl.
2. a racehorse that has been trained in secret → 1877 Aust. sl.
► DEAD ‘UN a racehorse deliberately ridden to lose → 1877 Aust. sl.
► DEAD MEAT a horse that has no chance of winning a race → 20C sl.
► DEAD ONE a horse that seems not to have been raced to its full capacity → M19 sl.
► DOG a horse that is slow, worthless, or difficult to handle → 1893 US sl.
► DROP-DOWN in horse racing: a horse that has been moved down a class or down in claiming price → 1990 US sl.
► EAGLEBIRD in horse racing: a long-shot winner that nobody has bet on → 1947 sl.
► FACTOR in horse racing: a horse who is contending for the lead in a race → 1960 US sl.
► FUZZY in horse racing: a horse that is seen as certain to win a race → 1956 US sl.
► GALLOPER a racehorse → 1960 Aust. sl.
► GANDER a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► GEE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► GEE-GAW a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► GEEGEE a racehorse; often used in the plural, and somewhat euphemistically in the context of betting → 1941 sl.
► GLUEPOT a racehorse → 1950s US sl.
► GUN FROM THE GATE in horse racing: a racehorse that starts races quickly → 1951 US sl.
► HAIR-TRUNK in horse racing: a bad-looking horse that performs poorly → 1948 UK sl.
► HAIRY GOAT a racehorse which performs badly or is considered to be slow or useless → 1894 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► HEAVY DOER a race horse that’s a heavy eater → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► HIDE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► HOTPOT a heavily backed favourite → 1904 horse racing sl., chiefly Aust.
► HURRICANE LAMP JOB in horse racing; a horse that finishes last by a great distance; the horse is so far back that it is joked that a hurricane lamps is needed to find it → 1989 Aust. sl.
► JOB a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► JOCK PACKER a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► LIZARD a worthless animal, esp. a racehorse → 1907 Amer. sl.
► MAIDEN a horse that has never won a race → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► MARKET-HORSE in horse racing: a horse retained in the betting lists simply to attract bets → 1668 obs.
► MILK HORSE a horse entered in a race to make money on, and always scratched before the affair comes off → c1865 Brit. turf sl.
► MONTY a certainty; a horse considered a safe bet to win a race → 1894 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► MUDDER a racehorse which runs well on a wet or muddy course → 1903 sl., orig. & chiefly US
► MUDLARK a racehorse which runs well on a wet or muddy course → 1909 sl.
► MUT ► MUTT a racehorse, esp. a slow one; any horse in poor condition → 1899 sl., orig. US, derogatory
► NADGER in horse racing: a horse’s nose or head → 1989 Aust. sl.
► NAG a horse, esp. a racehorse → 1400
► NAGS, THE in horseracing: the horses → 1940s sl.
► NEDDY a horse, esp. a racehorse → 1887 sl.
► NINE OF HEARTS a racehorse that is not likely to win → 1951 US sl.
► NO-HOPER a racehorse with no prospect of winning; a rank outsider → 1943 sl., orig. Aust.
► NON-GOER a racehorse that is not being run to win → 1982 Aust. sl.
► NON TRIER a racehorse that is not being run to win → 1966 Aust. sl.
► NOSE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► NOW AND THENER in horse-racing: a horse that is an uneven or inconsistent performer → 1951 US sl.
► NUT in horse racing: a horse picked by a racing newspaper to win a race → 1951 US sl.
► OATBURNER in horse-racing: a racehorse that does not perform well → 1916 US sl.
► OATMUNCHER in horse-racing: a racehorse that does not perform well → 1916 US sl.
► OIL BURNER 1. a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
2. in horse racing: a fast horse → 1951 US sl.
► OIL IN THE CAN in horse racing: a horse believed by its backers to be a sure winner → 1951 US sl.
► OLD BILL in horse racing: a rank outsider (horse) → 1920s sl.
► PEACOCK a horse with a showy action → 1869 racing colloq.
► PELT a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► PIG a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► PLATER in horse racing: a horse that competes in minor, low-paying races → 1923 US sl.
► PONIES, THE racehorses → 1896 sl., orig. & chiefly US
► PONY a racehorse; usually used in the plural → 1907 sl.
► PULLER a racehorse that strains to run at full speed → 1994 US sl.
► RABBIT ‘a horse that runs in and out’ → 1882 horse racing usage
► RACER-HORSE a racehorse → 1898 Sc.
► RACING MACHINE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► RACING TOOL a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► RAG in horse racing: an outsider, a horse considered unlikely to win a race → 1991 UK sl.
► RAGS, THE a bookmaker’s term for horses that ran, esp. those which ‘also ran’ → c1920 sl. obs.
► RAIL LUGGER in horse racing: a horse that prefers to run near or next to the inside rail → 1947 US sl.
► RINGER a horse, player, etc. fraudulently substituted in a competition to boost the chances of winning → 1890 sl., orig. US
► ROD IN A PICKLE, A a racehorse being unobtrusively prepared for a win and betting coup → Aust. sl.
► ROGUE a horse inclined to shirk on the racecourse or when hunting → L19
► ROTTER a half-trained horse → 1910s Aust. sl.
► RUNNING MACHINE a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► SHORT-HEAD. in horse racing: a horse that fails by a short head → 1883 colloq.
► SIDEWINDER an unknown but very fast horse → 1974 Can. sl.
► SILKY SULLIVAN in horse racing: any horse that comes from far behind to win a race → 1997 US sl.
► SKIN an inferior racehorse → 1923 Amer. sl.
► SKINNER a horse that wins a race at very long odds → 1891 Aust. sl.
► SLATER a horse that runs best on a dry, fast track → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► SPEED MERCHANT a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► SQUIB a racehorse lacking stamina → 1915 Aust. sl.
► STAYER in horse racing: a horse that performs well in longer distance races → 1976 US sl.
► STEAMER in horse racing: a horse that attracts heavy betting on the morning of a race, at a time before the odds being offered by bookmakers are reduced → 1991 UK sl.
► STICKOUT a racehorse that seems a certain winner → 1937 US sl.
► STRAIGHT-GOER a horse that naturally runs or races hard and fast → 1856 chiefly Aust.
► TAPE STRETCHER a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► THIEF in horse racing: a horse that runs worst when its chances seem best → 1976 US sl.
► TOP-SAWYER the favourite horse → 1923 turf sl.
► TRICK a racehorse → 1942 Amer. turf sl. (Bk.)
► WAGGONER a depreciatory name for a racehorse → 1859
► WAITER a losing horse → L19 Aust. sl.
► WEBFOOT a racehorse that performs well on a muddy track → 1951 US sl.
► WHIPPER-IN the horse last in a race or at any given moment of a race → 1892 horse racing sl.
► WRONG ‘UN a horse that has raced at a meeting unrecognized by the Jockey Club → 1895 racing sl.

NOUNS – OTHER
► ACROSS THE BOARD in horse racing: a bet that a horse will win, place (finish second), or show (finish third) → 1964 sl.
► AIRS AND GRACES horse-races → 1910s Brit. rhyming sl.
► ALLEY in horse racing: a stall in the starting barrier → 1982 Aust. sl.
► ALUMINUM, THE in horse racing; the inside rail → 1989 Aust. sl.
► ANGORA in horse racing: the totalisator → 1989 Aust. rhyming sl., from ‘tote’ to ‘angora goat’ to ‘angora’
► ARMCHAIR RIDE in horse racing: an easy victory → 1976 US sl.
► ARTICLES OF THE RACE rules governing horse racing → 1607
► ASCOT RACES ► ASCOTS the horse-races → 20C rhyming sl.
► ASK the asking price for a racehorse → 1989 Aust.
► ATTACK OF THE SLOWS in horse racing: an imaginary illness that plagues a horse midway through a race → 1951 US sl.
► BABY RACE in horse racing: a relatively short race for two-year-old horses → 1976 US sl.
► BANANA RACE a fixed horse race → 1967 US sl.
► BARN MONEY in horse racing: money bet by purportedly informed track insiders → 1994 US sl.
► BATTERY a concealed device for giving an electric shock to a horse in a race → 1936 Aust. sl.
► BIG APPLE, THE in horse racing: the New York metropolitan racing circuit, including the major Long Island tracks → 1921 US sl.
► BIG ASK the asking price for a racehorse that is considered over-priced → 1989 Aust. sl.
► BILL DALEY a long lead in a horse race, esp. a long lead early in the race → 1941 US sl.
► BOAT RACE a fixed race; a horse race in which one entry is allowed to win by the others → 1956 US sl.
► BOILOVER a race won by an outsider → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BOUNCE in horse racing: a poorly run race followed by a well-run race → 1997 US sl.
► BUG in horse racing: a weight handicap → 1941 US sl.
► BUILD-UP in horse racing: betting at the track designed to increase the odds on a bet made away from the track → 1960 US sl.
► BURSTER in horse racing: a heavy fall, a cropper → 1863 sl.
► CANAL BOAT the Totalizator → 1960s rhyming sl. for ‘tote’
► CAREER the ground on which a race is run; a race-course → 1580 obs.
► CART a racecourse → M19 sl.
► COLD DOPE in horse racing: information based on empirical evidence → 1951 US sl.
► CON in horse racing: a concession wager → 1989 Aust. sl.
► COUP in horse racing: a secret betting plunge in which a great deal of money is bet at favourable odds → 1895 Aust. sl.
► CRIMP MATCH a horse race in which the result is fixed → 1684 obs.
► DAYLIGHT in horse racing: the non-existent second-place finisher in a race won by a large margin → 1989 Aust. sl.
► DEAD, THE horse as dead certainties → c1870 turf sl.
► DEAD BIRD in horse racing: a certainty → 1889 Aust. sl.
► DEAD CERT an absolute certainty, esp. in race-course betting → L19 sl., orig. racing usage
► DOPE-SHEET a sheet of paper bearing information or instructions, esp. written or printed information about racehorses → 1903 US sl.
► EAGLEBIRD in horse racing: a long-shot winner that nobody has bet on → 1947 US sl.
► EARLY FOOT speed in the initial stages of a horse race → 1960 US sl.
► EDISON in horse racing: a hand battery used illegally by a jockey to impart a shock to his horse → 1947 US sl.
► EDUCATED CURRENCY in horse racing: bets placed on the basis of what is believed to be authentic empirical tips → 1951 US sl.
► EGG FLIP a piece of inside information in horseracing → 20C Aust. rhyming sl. for ‘tip’ 
► FAST PILL in horse racing: a stimulant given to a horse → 1947 US sl.
► FLASH in horse racing: a last-minute change in odds → 1951 US sl.
► FOOT ON THE TILL in horse racing: used for describing the position of a horse that is racing well → 1989 Aust. sl.
► FRESH MONEY in horse racing: the cash actually brought to the track and bet on a given day → 1947 US sl.
► GAD in horse racing: the whip used by jockeys → 1976 US sl.
► GAFF a race meeting → L19 racecourse cant
► GALLOPS horse racing → 1950 Aust. sl.
► GUN in horse racing: an all-out effort by a jockey → sl.
► GUTS in horse racing: a combative and competitive spirit → sl.
► GUTTER space in front of a race-course totalisator → 20C Aust. sporting sl.
► HANDBOOK in horse racing: a place, other than a legal betting office, where bets are made away from the racetrack → 20C Amer. sl.
► HANDLE in horse racing: the total money bet by all players on one race or meet, or for the entire season → sl.
► HAND RIDE in horse racing: a workout or race in which the jockey does not use the whip → sl.
► HOLIDAY in horse racing: the term of a suspension from competing → 1989 Aust. sl.
► KICK the start of a horse race → 1988 Aust. sl.
► LEATHER-PLATE a race for inferior horses → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MACARONI-STAKE a horserace ridden by a ‘gentleman jockey’ → M18 sl.
► MACHINE 1. a Totalizator → L19 NZ sl.
2. in horseracing, a battery-powered device used to impart a shock to a horse during a race → 1976 US sl.
3. in horseracing, a pari-mutuel betting machine → 1976 US sl.
► MAYNE NICKLESS JOB in horse racing: an extremely large bet → 1989 Aust. sl.
► MONEY POSITION the winner of a contest, esp. a horse race → 1934 Amer. sl.
► MUG MONEY in horse racing: money bet by uninformed bettors → 1989 Aust. sl.
► NANNY (GOAT) the Totalizator → 1920s rhyming sl. for the ‘tote’
► NAP in horse racing: a tipster’s best bet → 1991 UK sl.
► NEDDIES, THE the sport of horseracing → 1965 Aust. sl.
► NIGHTCAP in horse racing: the last race of the day → 1951 US sl.
► NOSE in horseracing: any very short distance that separates the winner from the loser → 1908 US
► NOSTRIL in horseracing: any very short distance between winner and loser that is shorter even than a nose → 1951 US sl.
► NURSERY RACE in horse-racing: a relatively short distance race for two-year-olds → 1976 US sl.
► NUT in horse racing: the tax levied on bets by the track and the state → 1990 US sl.
► OIL in horse racing: confidential and reliable information about a horse → 1989 Aust. sl.
► ONE FOR THE BOY in horse-racing: a bet placed on a horse by the owner and given to the jockey before the race → 1951 US sl.
► OUIJA BOARD in horse racing: the official odds board at the racetrack → 1951 US sl.
► PAGODA in horseracing: the stand where race officials are seated → 1951 US sl.
► PAINT the inside rails of a horseracing track → 1965 Aust. sl.
► PAIR OF BRACES horse-races → 1910s rhyming sl.
► PANELS OF FENCES in horse racing: a long lead → 1989 Aust. sl.
► PAPERWEIGHT in horse racing: a very small weight allowance in a weight-handicapped event → 1989 Aust. sl.
► POLE the rails; hence, the starting position closest to them → 1851 horse racing usage
► QUICKIE the act of backing a horse after the result of a race is known → 1934 sl.
► RAILS that part of a racecourse where the rails bookmakers are situated; hence, big-time bookmaking → 1981 Aust. sl.
► RUN-IN the final stage of a race; the home stretch → 1799
► SAFEY in horse racing: a riding assignment for a jockey on a horse that stands little chance of winning → 1989 Aust. sl.
► SANITARY RIDE in a horse race: the tactic of riding away from the rail to avoid the mud flung up by the pack of racehorses near the rail → 1978 US sl.
► SCENIC ROUTE in horse racing: running outside the pack on turns → 1978 US sl.
► SIT in horse racing: a contract for a jockey to ride a race → 1989 Aust. sl.
► SIT-STILL in horse racing: a style of riding based on patience → 1976 US l.
► SKINNER a big win on an unbacked horse or other race competitor; a betting coup → 1874 UK sl.
► SKINNY END in horse racing: a third place finish → 1989 Aust. sl,
► STING a narcotic drug; a drug injected into a racehorse → 1949 Aust. sl.
► SWIFT HORSE RUNNING horse racing → a1513 obs.
► TEA a stimulant, often cocaine or strychnine, given to a racehorse to increase its speed → 1951 US horse-racing usage
► TURF, THE the racing world → 1755
► TOWN DOLLARS in horse racing: money bet at a betting operation away from the track → 1951 US sl.
► TURF, THE the racing world → 1755
► TURFDOM the racing community → 1864
► WALKOVER in horse-racing: a race in which all but one of the entries are withdrawn  → 1965 US sl.
► WIRE TO WIRE in horse-racing: the entire distance of the race, from start to finish → 1951 US sl.

NOUNS – PERSON (also see JOCKEY)
► ACCUMULATOR a person who backs one horse, and then if it wins results (sometimes including original stakes), goes on to some other horse → 1889 UK sl.
► ASPARAGUS in horse racing: a bettor who arrives at the track with an armful of racing forms → 1989 Aust. sl.
► AUTUMN LEAF a jockey, apprentice, etc., who has often fallen from his mount → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► AUTUMN LEAVES in horse racing: a steeplechase jockey who has suffered a series of falls → 1989 Aust. sl.
► BATTLER a gambler who tries to make a living by gambling; a habitual punter who is always struggling; also, a struggling horse owner-trainer → 1895 Aust. sl.
► BELL-RINGER one who seeks to make a wager after the horses have left the starting gate → 1968 US horse racing usage
► BOYS, THE the thieves and swindlers that frequent racecourses → a1889
► BUMPER an amateur rider in a horse race → 1900 Irish English, colloq.
► CALCULATOR in horse racing: a parimutuel clerk who calculates odds → 1976 US sl.
► CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG a dishonest jockey → 1864 turf sl.
► CHALK EATER in horse racing: a bettor who bets only on favourites → 1937 US sl.
► CLEANSKIN in horse racing: a jockey who has never been disqualified in a race → 1989 Aust. sl.
► DAGGER a jockey’s general helper → c1925 Aust. sporting sl.
► EARLY SHOPPER in horse racing: a bettor who places a bet as soon as the betting windows open → 1989 Aust. sl.
► EMU a racecourse idler who picks up discarded tote tickets in the hope of finding one that has not been cashed → 1960s Aust. sl.
► FACE in racecourse gambling: a bettor who is believed to have useful information regarding the likely outcome of a race → 2001 UK bookmakers’ usage
► FLY-FLAT one who really knows little or nothing about racing, but fancies himself thoroughly initiated in all its mysteries → 1889 turf sl.
► GALLOP BOY in horse racing: a person who exercises horses → 1985 (Bk.)
► GENTLEMAN JOCKEY in horse racing: an amateur jockey, esp. in a steeplechase event → 1947 US sl.
► GINNY a groom in a horseracing stable → 1952 US sl.
► GYP in horse racing: a small-scale usually migratory stable owner who trains and races his own horses → 1938 Amer. sl.
► GYPSY in horse racing: a small-scale usually migratory stable owner who trains and races his own horses → 1939 Amer. sl.
► HACK DRIVER in horse racing: a jockey → 1951 US sl.
► HALTERMAN in horse racing: a person who claims a horse → 1985 (Bk.)
► HANDICAPPER a person who sets a handicap or handicaps; spec. a racecourse official who determines what weights the different houses are to carry in a handicap race → 1751
► HARDBOOT in horse racing: a trainer or stable owner who is a Kentuckian → 1923 US sl.
► HARDHEAD a regular gambler at horse racing → 1900 Aust. sl.
► HAWK a racetrack scout → 1985 US sl.
► HEART in horse racing: a rider who shows great determination and desire to win → 1985 (Bk.)
► HERDER in horse racing: a jockey who forces the other horses to bunch up behind him → 1951 US sl.
► ICEMAN in horse racing: a jockey who rides without using the whip or vigorous kicks → 1989 Aust. sl.
► IDENTIFIER in horse racing: the person that is responsible for the identifications of all horses coming into the paddock, which includes checking the tattoo number, colour, markings, etc. → 1985  (Bk.)
► KID IN THE KHAKI SHIRT in horse racing: an imaginary jockey who wins races on horses not favoured to win → 1989 Aust. sl.
► MAN WITH THE MINTIES a racing tipster → 1930s Aust. sl.
► MARKETEER a betting man who devotes himself, by means of special information, to the study of favourites, and the diseases incident to that condition of equine life → 1874 horse racing sl. (Bk.)
► MONEY RIDER a jockey who is well-known for riding winning horses → c1961 Amer. sl.
► MONTE ► MONTY a racecourse tipster → 1887 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► MONTE-MAN ► MONTY MAN a racecourse tipster → 1909 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► MOTH in horse racing: a groom or racehorse attendant who is attracted to the bright lights of nightlife → 1989 Aust. sl.
► NIGHT RIDER in horse racing: someone who takes a horse out for a night workout in the hope of lessening its performance in a race the next day → 1951 US sl.
► NOBBLER in horse racing: a person who lames, drugs, or otherwise tampers with horses→ 1847 sl.
► PADDOCK CRITIC in horse-racing: a person who judges horses by their appearance in the paddock before a race → 1897
► PADDOCK JUDGE in horse racing: the official who is in charge of the paddock, who inspects all horses and equipment prior to each race → 1985  (Bk.)
► PLATER in horse racing: a farrier → 1976 US sl.
► RACE BIRD an enthusiastic fan of horse racing → 1971 US sl.
► RACECOURSE EMU a person who scours the racecourse grounds for discarded winning tickets → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► RACE-GOER a frequenter of race-meetings → 1880
► RACETRACKER in horse racing: a person who makes their living in some capacity at racetracks → 1951 US sl.
► RACING-LOSER one who loses in or by horse-racing → 1680 obs.
► RACING TOUT one who surreptitiously watches the trials of racehorses so as to gain information for betting purposes → 1812
► RAILBIRD an ardent horse-racing fan; one who watches morning workouts, carefully clocking performances → c1890 US sl.
► STOOPER a person who forages for betting tickets on the ground at racetracks → 1960s US sl.
► TALE-TELLER a confidence trickster; a fraudulent racecourse tipster → 1900 sl., orig. Aust.
► TATTLER a racecourse tipster, presumed to be fraudulent → 1907 Aust. sl.
► TOUT 1. in horse racing: someone who sells generally worthless advice with the promise of inside information bound to help bettors win → 1865 UK sl.
2. a horse racing enthusiast who closely watches workouts and is generally disliked by those on the inside of the sport → 1989 Aust. sl.
► TRACK LAWYER in horse racing: someone who constantly resorts to claims of technical rule violations, the pettier the better → 1947 US sl.
► TURFITE a racing man; a frequenter of the turf → 1836
► URGER a race tipster who seeks a bonus from the winnings of others → 1924 Aust. sl.
► VALET in horse racing: a person who attends to a jockey and keeps the equipment in order → 1985  (Bk.)
► WRINKLENECK in horseracing: a seasoned and experienced horse handler → 1951 US sl.

PHRASES
► HE COULDN’T WIN IF HE STARTED THE NIGHT BEFORE said of a slow racehorse → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► IN TOWN in horse racing: on major metropolitan tracks → 1989 Aust. sl.
► IT’S RABBITS OUT OF THE WOOD! it’s ‘splendid’ or sheer profit or a windfall! → 1932 racing catchphrase
► ON HIS OATS of a racehorse: racing without the benefit of a stimulant → 1994 US sl.
► ON THE WOOD in horse-racing: racing along the rail → 1994 US sl.
► SEEN MORE TAILS THAN HOFFMANN said of a horse which is continually unsuccessful, or a horse which usually finishes at the back of the field → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)

VERBS
► BACK THE FIELD to bet on the rest of the horses against the favourite
► BATTLE to attempt to make a living a the racecourse, either by running or gambling on horses → 1895 Aust. sl.
► BATTLE THE IRON MEN in horse racing: to bet using pari-mutuel machines → 1951 US sl.
► BET ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE POST to bet on a losing horse → 1823 turf sl., obs.
► BLAST in horse racing: to tout a racehorse while misrepresenting oneself as having inside information → 1956 Amer. sl.
► BLITZ in horse racing: to win convincingly → 1989 Aust. sl.
► BUTTOCK in horse racing: to overtake a horse → 1607 obs.
► CALL FOR A CAB of a jockey: to make jerky arm movements as he battles to remain in the saddle → 1961 UK sl.
► CARRY THE SILKS in horse racing: to race for a particular owner → 1951 US sl.
► CARRY THE TARGET in horse racing, to run in the last position for an entire race → 1976 US sl.
► COLLAR in horse racing: to run neck and neck → 1951 US sl.
► COME CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG in horse racing: to ‘pull’ a horse and thus prevent him from winning → 1891 turf sl. (Bk.)
► COME DOWN LIKE TRAINED PIGS in horse racing: to finish a race exactly as predicted → 1951 US sl.
► COME HOME EARLY in horse racing: to establish and hold an early lead to win a race → 1951 US sl.
► COME ON STRONG in horse racing: to gain steadily and rapidly in a race → 1940s Amer. sl.
► COME ROUND ON THE PAINT of a racehorse: to take a bend on the inside → 1953 Aust. sl.
► CRAB in horse racing: to belittle a horse’s performance → 1948 UK sl.
► CRACK in sports (of a racehorse or human competitor) : to lose a lead as a result of loss of stamina → 1880 Amer. sl.
► DROP ANCHOR of a jockey: to restrain a running racehorse → 1945 Amer. horse racing usage
► FACE THE BREEZE in horse racing: to be in the position immediately behind and outside the leader → 1997 US sl.
► FAKE to tamper with; to dope a horse → c1830 sl.
► FALL IN in horse racing: to barely hold off challengers and win a race → 1989 Aust. sl.
► GAG to fix a horserace → 1910s sl.
► GALLOP TO A STANDSTILL in horse racing: to tire out → 1892
► GO BADLY TO MARKET to lose money betting on a horse race → 1812 obs.
► GO FOR THE DOCTOR 1. to make a great effort, or move very fast esp. in a horse race → 1949 Aust. sl.
2. to use a whip on a horse during a race → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► GO TO THE DOCTOR to place a large wager on a horse → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► GUARD to see that horses or hounds from one stable are separated in a race → 1893 sporting sl.
► GYM to travel or to gain admission to, usually a racecourse, without paying the full charge .,..1930s UK criminals’ sl.
► HALTER in horse racing: to claim a horse → sl.
► KICK 1. of a horse: to speed up in a race → 1980 Aust. sl.
2. of a jockey: to urge a horse on in a race → 1982 Aust. sl.
► LIP in horse racing: to win by the slightest of margins → 1989 Aust. sl.
► LUG IN of a racehorse: to tend to run toward the rail → 1964 US sl.
► MUD of a racehorse: to run well on muddy track conditions → 1978 US sl.
► NIGGLE in horse racing: to urge a horse with hands and rein → 1948 UK sl.
► NOBBLE in horse-racing: to interfere with a horse in order to spoil its chance of victory → 1859 sl.
► PAD THE RING in horseracing: to place many small bets on several horses in a race while placing a large bet on one horse away from the track, hoping that the small bets on other horses will drive the odds on you horse up → 1951 US sl.
► PADDLE in horseracing: to try hard without success → 1989 Aust. sl.
► PLAY THE NEDDIES to gamble on horses → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► POACH in horse racing: to gain unfairly or illicitly an advantage, esp. a start in a race → c1891 sl.
► PULL A HORSE’S HEAD OFF to check a horse’s progress that he does not win → c1860 sl.
► PULL ► PULL UP of a jockey: to deliberately ride a racehorse to lose → 1895 Aust. sl.
► PUT THE ARM ON in horse racing: of a jockey: to illicitly restrain a running horse → 1984 US sl.
► ROMP in horse racing: to move rapidly, and with ease → c1890 sl.
► ROMP AWAY WITH in horse racing: to win a race easily → c1890 sl.
► ROMP HOME ► ROMP IN in horse racing: to win very easily → 1888 sl.
► RUN A DRUM of a racehorse: to run a winning race, as tipped or expected → 1933 Aust. sl.
► RUN DEAD in horse racing, of a horse: to be deliberately pulled up so that it does not run at its best; to deliberately lose → 20C Aust. sl.
► RUN LIKE A HAIRY DOG of a racehorse: to perform badly in a race → 1912 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► RUN LIKE A HAIRY GOAT of a racehorse: to perform badly in a race → 1919 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► SALUTE THE JUDGE to win a horse race → 1977 Aust. sl.
► SCORE of a horse or rider: to win a race → 1969 Aust. sl.
► SHOWER DOWN to whip a racehorse → 1974 Amer. jockey usage (Bk.)
► SNUG in horse racing: to rein the horse in to preserve energy for a sprint later in the race → 1951 US sl.
► WAKE UP in horse racing: to stimulate a horse illegally by electric shock or drugs → 1947 US sl.
► WHIPSAW in horse-racing: to correctly pick both the winner and second-place finisher in a race → 1947 US sl.