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