
When betting on horse racing you’re likely to hear plenty of jargon coming from the mouth of the commentator and fellow punters around you. This can feel somewhat intimidating if you’re new to racing betting – but it doesn’t have to be that way!
That’s why Paddy Power is here with a series of Demystifying Racing guides to help you understand the weird and wonderful intricacies of this sport. What’s more, these guides may also help you in your betting technique – and show off to your mates by using the correct terminology!
So what does the term ‘pushed out’ mean? It’s something you’re likely to hear from a commentator when the race nears its conclusion. Read on to find out more…
WHAT DOES PUSHED OUT MEAN?
When a horse is said to have ‘pushed out’ it is in fact moving ahead of its rivals in the final flings of a race. Often we see two or three horses battling for first place as the race nears the winning post – and usually one nudges ahead of the others.
This edging ahead can be done with the help of the jockey. Or, in instances where the horse ‘pushes out’, the horse does it on their own accord. Some horses just love racing and don’t need the encouragement of their jockeys and having a horse that knows when to push out and lead the charge to the line is a great asset for owners.
Naturally a horse that develops a reputation for its racing nous is one bettors are always looking to side with.

Sometimes a horse can push out after going over a hurdle or fence (GETTY)
IS IT GOOD FOR YOUR BET?
Generally yes. If you’ve bet on a horse and hear that it’s ‘pushed out’ then usually that means you’re on for a winner, especially if the race is on the final straight. However, pushing out too early could be bad for the horse. After all, the jockey will have a gameplan on when to let the reins slack and give freedom to the horse. If the horse goes too early it could use up valuable energy that is required later in the race for the sprint finish.
A good, experienced jockey will have control of their horse so it doesn’t push too early.
SO WHAT DOES DRIVEN OUT MEAN?
While a horse ‘pushes out’ on its own accord, the term ‘driven out’ is used to signify that the jockey has used the whip in order to incentivise their ride to move ahead of the pack. Of course, jockeys are restricted to the amount of whip use they can implement during a race.
Meanwhile, the term ‘ridden out’ is used when a jockey has used their hands and heels to incentivise a surge from the horse, but not the whip. This is a more subtle movement that horses may be more receptive to.
DEMYSTIFYING RACING
- What does it mean when a horse is On the Bridle?
- What is a Black type horse race?
- What are the different types of going in horse racing?
- What is a bumper horse race?
- What are blinkers and why do some horses wear them?
- What is an Allowance Race in horse racing?
- What is the difference between hurdles and fences in National Hunt racing?
- What is a halter and why do some horses wear them?
- What does it mean when a horse has spread a plate?
- What is the Rule 4 betting rule in horse racing?
- What is the difference between graded, handicap and selling horse races?
- What does a novice hurdle in horse racing mean?
- What is a listed horse race?
- What does a novice chase in horse racing mean?
- Why do race horses have different ratings and what do they mean?
- When does the National Hunt season start and when does it end?
- Why are there different grades of horse race?
- Why are there 3 different types of National Hunt race?
- Why are race horses given different weights and what does it mean?
- How many different classes of horse race are there?
- What is a claiming race and what do they mean?
- What is an optional claimer in horse racing?
- What is a shadow roll and why do some race horses wear them?
- Why do some races start from stalls and some not?
- What is the difference between Derby and Oaks races?
- What does it mean when a horse knuckles during a horse race?
- What is a stayer in horse racing?
- What is a yearling horse and when are they ready to race?
- What does it mean if a horse has won a point race?
- What does a maiden mean in horse racing?
- How are horses’ ages calculated and why is it not the same as humans?
- What advantages do apprentice jockeys get when riding against professionals?
- What is a conditional jockey?
- What does the term ‘connections’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear cheekpieces?
- Who are the stewards in horse racing?
- What does ‘weighed in’ mean at the end of a horse race?
- What is a nursery race?
- Why are some National Hunt races run without fences?
- Why are some horses given a tongue tie during races?
- How are horse racing ratings calculated?
- What does it mean when a horse has a ‘wind operation’?
- How high are the fences and hurdles in horse racing?
- What is an apprentice jockey?
- What is a Bull Ring in horse racing?
- What does the phrase ‘Look of Eagles’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear a ‘weight cloth’ during races?
- What is the Triple Crown in horse racing?
- What is a Steeplechase race in horse racing?
- How high are the Cheltenham Festival fences and hurdles?
- Why is the Champion Chase named after the Queen Mother?
- Why does Cheltenham racecourse have an Old Course and a New Course? What’s the differences between the two?
- What is the Cheltenham roar? What difference does it make in races?
- Why are there no jumps in the Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper?
- How many fans usually attend the Cheltenham Festival? How big is the capacity?
- What is a juvenile in horse racing?