As known from:
The SunFootball365Sportskeeda
Alerts
Latest Deals
Write a Review
Write a Review
Nothing Found
About betting.net
  • Betting.net on YouTube
  • About betting.net
  • The betting.net Crew
  • How We Rate
  • Play Responsibly
  • Contact us
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Contains commercial content
Alerts
Latest Deals
Write a Review
Write a Review
Nothing Found
About betting.net
  • Betting.net on YouTube
  • About betting.net
  • The betting.net Crew
  • How We Rate
  • Play Responsibly
  • Contact us
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Betting.net / What is Weight Allowance? Weight Allowance Explained in 2 minutes

What is Weight Allowance? Weight Allowance Explained in 2 minutes

Publish Date: March 31, 2021
Fact checked by: Jesse M Cox

What is a Weight Allowance?

Horses are allocated a weight in a race. In handicaps weights are decided based on past form and the objective is to equalise the chances for each horse.

In theory weights in a handicap mean every horse should finish close together but this rarely happens. In non-handicaps horses carry the same weight and then allowances are applied.

The purpose of a weight allowance is to level the playing field. Allowances are based on sex, age and the number of winners that the jockey has ridden. Weight allowances are clearly stated in the race conditions and appear on racecards so people betting on a race know how the weights have been adjusted.

How is Weight Allowance used in Sports Betting?

Generally in flat and jump races female and younger horses will receive an allowance from the male runners and older horses. The reverse of a weight allowance is a penalty, which is applied when a horse has won at a higher level. Even in the championship races, weight allowances are given to fillies and mares and young horses.

There is a debate about whether weight allowances should be applied in the very best races or all horses should carry the same weight so the best horse is identified. In same sex races the only weight allowances are based on age.

There have been some high profile cases of weight allowances being factors in the outcome of races. In the 2016 Champion Hurdle Annie Power received seven pounds form the male horses and won the race by less than five lengths. Enable won some major all-weight flat races in 2017 in receipt of an age and sex allowance.

The thinking is that young female horses are naturally weaker and slower than older male horses but weight allowances clearly affect the result of many races.

See also:

Level Weights

Overweight

Weight Cloth

Weights

Read Also
What is Level Weight? Level Weight Explained in 2 minutes
Horses are assigned a weight to be carried in each race. In ...
What is Overweight? Overweight Explained in 2 minutes
Horses are allocated a weight to carry in a race. The weight ...
BetMGM Promo
What is a Claimer in Horse Racing? Claimer (Jockey) Explained
A claimer is a jockey who can claim an allowance when riding ...
What is Weight Cloth? Weight Cloth Explained in 2 minutes
A weight cloth is a special saddle cloth with pockets to carry ...
What is Handicapper? Handicapper Explained in 2 minutes
The handicapper assesses the relative merits of the horses entered in a ...
Sportsbook of the month
DraftKings - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.7/5
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.7/5
FanDuel
FanDuel
FanDuel Review
4.6/5
Caesars
Caesars
Caesars Review
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 OR Bet $5 and Get $150
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
At bet365 we don't do ordinary, that's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
100% up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Latest News
Nevada Casinos kick off 2024 with record-breaking start
The gaming industry in Nevada started 2024 with ...
North Carolina Gubernatorial Candidates: their stances on casinos
As the North Carolina gubernatorial race heats up, ...
Gates of Bitcasino grants a max win, worth $2.5 million
A lucky player won $2.5 million on Gates ...
Thunderkick partners with Betway, strengthening foothold in UK
Independent slot developer Thunderkick signed a partnership deal ...
Delaware Park re-opens with new Vegas glamor after $10M upgrade
The Delaware Park Casino recently unveiled its upgraded ...
All Odds Categories
Show More
Get the latest updates in Sports and Casino via our Newsletter
Poker & Bingo

Full coverage of poker and bingo, from reviews of providers to guides and much more besides!

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Trading financial products carries a high risk to your capital, especially trading leverage products such as CFDs. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$55 Stake Cash + 260K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: BETCRYPTO
  • Drake loves this social casino!
  • Play for free with Gold Coins!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Bonus Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site