What is Pedigree? Pedigree Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
26/06/2026
What is Pedigree?
The pedigree of a horse is the lineage, or family tree. Race horse breeding involves matching a mare and colt to produce offspring suited to thoroughbred racing. Some couplings work well and others do not and it is not an exact science.
A horse will inherit some of the attributes of its male and female parent. The pedigree of a horse will determine the type of race and going that suits it best. It naturally follows that if the two parents of a horse act with cut in the ground their children will also be suited to soft going. When horses are racing for the first time there is no form so its chances are dependent on the pedigree.
How is Pedigree used in Sports Betting?
Horses that race against each other in organised racing are thoroughbreds. They have a known lineage and parents that have been trained to race or been retired to stud. A horse’s stud value depends on form on the track and its pedigree. Some horses with a good pedigree may not be suited to racing but the line can continue when they are used to breed the next generation. If a horse has performed well on the track the pedigree is enhanced and the stud value goes up.
Horses that go to sales that have not run before are in great demand if they have a proven pedigree. Market forces determine the price of a horse in the sales ring and the stud value after its racing career. A horse’s bloodlines determine its pedigree which is dependent on the sire and dam or the male and female parent.
The family of a horse is its pedigree and a horse with black type pedigree has a family member who has won a Listed or Group race. Black type horses are in great demand and the sales and stud value increase accordingly.
