In horse racing, the going refers to conditions underfoot, which has a huge effect on how the horses run, and to how trainers and jockeys approach their race strategy.
It is usually described with a few standard terms, which have accepted definitions among race venues.
The Going
Firm
Also known as “Fast”. More common in summer during the Flat season, this is ground that is sunbaked and very dry. This makes for the fastest races and quickest race times, with some horses specialised to running on hard ground.
Firm going might mean a fast race but it is not suited to a broad range of horses. Some courses may spray water (known as “irrigating”) onto the track to soften the going, according to their preference, especially if the weather is set to stay dry.
Good to firm
If it rains on hard ground, then conditions are more likely good to firm. Still a quick surface, it yields slightly more and allows the horses a slightly easier race. This natural state is what courses that add water are aiming for.
Good
This is the most common type of ground and is perhaps the one that suits the widest range of horses. The solid but still yielding ground makes it an easy surface to run on and this lends itself most easily to racing. Also known as “Standard”.
Tracks will often do their utmost to create good going on their course, as it suits a wider range of horses, bigger fields and so more racegoers. However, despite technological advances that help ground stay in good condition, there is only so much that can be done against the unpredictability of the weather!
Good to soft
Wintry weather means higher rainfall, leading to good to soft conditions. The ground is mostly good but still holding a fair amount of water, leading to soft conditions in places. This is known as “Yielding” in Irish racing.
Soft
In the winter period and National Hunt season, lower temperatures and higher rainfall can lead to soft, muddy ground that makes for slower and more difficult racing conditions.
That being said, some horses prefer it when the going is soft and deep, and some will even run exclusively on softer ground to maximise their skills. This is also known as “Slow” going, which is often used more commonly in everyday speech.
Heavy
The superlative of “soft”, and often used to describe parts of courses rather than the going throughout. In fact, heavy going throughout can lead to race cancellations.
All these terms can be used together to provide a more accurate description of the course conditions. For example, “Slow, Heavy in places” or “Good, Good to Firm in places” and so on.
Other terms
All-weather going
All-weather tracks have an artificial racing surface and have their going described differently; as “Fast”, “Standard” or “Slow”. Synthetic tracks in the UK are made of one of two things –
Polytrack – A wax-coated mixture of sand and other components
Tapeta – made of similar materials, but made to imitate the root structure of natural turf
Artificial tracks are not subject to quite the same variation as turf ones, but the weather does still have an effect on the speeds that can be achieved.
How is it measured?
Traditionally, the Clerk of the Course would “measure” the going using the heel of his or her wellies, or the end of a walking stick. This required a lot of judgement and experience to measure correctly.
This method was replaced in 2007 by the introduction of the “GoingStick”. This device is poked into the ground and calculating the depth to which it sinks, will tell the user how much moisture is underfoot. This makes for much more accurate and standardised measurements, quantifying what was once left to judgement.
Is there a “best” going?
In short, there is no “best”. Horses can prefer a softer or firmer ground and some are specialists for a certain type of going, while others are more versatile. While Good going will probably suit the widest range of horses, and Firm going will provide faster times, there are also many exceptions to these rules. You may hear people talking about horses “acting on the ground” or “acting on the going”, which generally means that the horse is taking to a surface in a certain way, usually with a positive effect on their performance.
Armed with a little knowledge, you can approach your next race visit forewarned of what the race is likely to entail. With the subtleties in approach almost endless, the going is a key piece of information that everyone involved in a race needs to know.