What is Racecard? Racecard Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
19/04/2026
What is a Race card?
Each race meeting in Britain has a race card, which lists the races on the programme and provides other information. Some tracks offer a free race card with admission but usually there is a cover price. Some race-goers like to keep the race card as a souvenir but many are dispensed with after the meeting.
Most race cards feature advertising which is dispersed amongst the race programme. And the sponsors of a race often take out an advert in the race card. These publications are usually quite small in size so it is convenient to carry them and read the form and race information.
How is a Race card used in Sports Betting?
The race card is an important element of a race meeting. The national and racing press print detailed form and information but the race card is designed for visitors to the track who may not be experts or regular racegoers. The first pages in a card list the officials at the meeting - such as the Clerk of the Course - and the track layout. The races are published in time order and the key details of a race are published. Some cards include tips and form analysis and there are often pictures of the competing horses.
For each race the race card will display the following information:
Time
Type of race
Prize money
For each horse the race card will include this information:
Name of horse
Age
Weight
The result of the race from the previous year is also shown after the details of the runners. A brief analysis will highlight the most relevant recent form and the most likely winner of the race. In some cases there will be a brief history of the race.
The race card from a prestigious meeting can become a collector’s item and the value will increase if it is signed by key individuals in the race.
