Handicap Race (Horse Racing)

A handicap race is a type of horse race in which the horses are assigned weights based on their past performance records. The aim is to level the playing field and give all horses a fair chance of winning. The better the horse has performed in previous races, the more weight it will carry in the current race. The horses with the highest weight carry the heaviest handicaps, and those with the lowest weight carry the lightest.

Handicap races are popular in many countries and can be found at both the flat and jump racing meets. The weights for the horses are usually assigned by a professional handicapper, who takes into account the horse's past performance, its age, and other factors that may affect its performance in the current race.

The purpose of a handicap race is to provide an equal chance of winning for all horses, regardless of their previous performance. This makes handicap races a popular choice among horse racing enthusiasts who enjoy the challenge of predicting the winner of the race. It also makes for exciting races, as horses with different weights are competing on a level playing field, and any horse can emerge victorious.