Ad
related to: horse speed index
Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Speed index (sometimes speed rating) is a system of rating the performance of Quarter Horse racehorses. The American Quarter Horse Association (or the AQHA) has used two systems over the history of Quarter Horse racing to evaluate racing performances. The original system used a letter grade, starting at D, then C, B, A and the highest AA.
For American Quarter Horse racing, the Speed index rating system is used. The Beyer Speed Figure is calculated by looking at the final time and distance of the race, adjusted by the track variant, which is a measure of the inherent speed of the racetrack in question.
Interest in determining which sires of race horses transmit raw speed, and which sires transmit stamina (defined as the ability to successfully compete at longer distances) to their progeny dates back to the early 20th century, when a French researcher, Lt. Col. J. J. Vuillier, published a study on the subject (called Dosage), which was subsequently modified by an Italian breeding expert, Dr ...
A Register of Merit is awarded when a horse attains a speed index of 80 or above. A Superior Race Horse is achieved when the horse earns 200 racing points. A Supreme Race Horse award requires the horse to satisfy the following three criteria: (1) win over $500,000 in earnings, (2) win two Grade 1 stakes races and (3) win a total of ten races. [13]
Barbara Meyers started six times and earned an 89 speed index and $1,082 (equivalent to $8,100 in 2023). [7] [1] Barbara L's 1969 foal, Peggy Rollins, did not race, but her last foal, Barbara El, a bay mare also by Kid Meyers, started 16 times and won 3 races. Barbara El won $4,522 (equivalent to $31,000 in 2023) and an 80 speed index. [7] [1]
A Superior Race horse must have earned at least 200 AQHA racing points by winning races, and even more in stakes races. A Race Register of Merit is the lowest level of racing award earned from the AQHA, and is gained when a horse attains a speed rating of 80 in a race, whether or not it wins the race. [10]
Speed figures have come into general usage and many racing forms include them in their publications. Andrew Beyer is the author of four books on racing and was The Washington Post 's horse racing columnist [ 2 ] from 1978 to his retirement in 2016.
The most common are 1/2 mile, 5/8 mile, and 1-mile tracks. Certain horses are better on the smaller tracks and others are better on the 1-mile tracks because there are fewer turns. Also, on the shorter tracks, early speed is important, while the longer stretch run of a mile track favors horses with late speed for come-from-behind wins.
Ad
related to: horse speed index