What does it mean when a horse is ‘pushed out’?

Horse racing betting features a lot of jargon that can be difficult to understand – especially when the race commentator is spouting off about this, that and the other.

If you’re new to horse racing then we don’t mind admitting that the sport can feel a little daunting. There’s so much terminology in horse racing betting that some people just never get to grips with it all.

Well, that’s where Paddy Power is here to help. Today we’re looking at what “pushed out” in horse racing means. The term is one you might hear midway through a race or towards the final few fences.

“Pushed out” is usually good for your racing bet, so long as it comes at the right moment.

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WHAT DOES PUSHED OUT MEAN?

A horse is said to have “pushed out” when it moves ahead of its rivals, usually in the final flings of a race. Say you’re watching a Cheltenham race and four horses are vying for the win with three hurdles left to jump.

One horse gradually moves forward beyond the others and, by the last hurdle, is two lengths clear and almost cantering to the line. That horse has “pushed out” from the pack.

Now, 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.

Indeed, pushing out can also happen midway through races without jockeys even realising it. A horse may choose to up the ante a little bit and weave into a better, more comfortable position among the pack. It’s pushed out and is now naturally in a more favourable spot.

A horse that develops a reputation for its racing nous is one bettors are always looking to side with. So, if you keep hearing about a horse that pushes well towards the end of races, then keep a firm eye on them.

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Sometimes a horse can push out after going over a hurdle or fence

IS PUSHED OUT GOOD FOR YOUR BET?

If your horse has “pushed out” then that’s probably good for your bet, so long as it does it at the right time. Do it in the final third of a race and the horse could easily be on for a win. Remember, a horse pushes out without any encouragement from the jockey, so it also has that extra boost in its legs too, if needed.

However, if a horse pushes out too early then this could spell trouble. 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 – perhaps in the middle of a race – then 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. The jockey will also know when to slacken the reins and allow the horse to push on its own accord.

It’s also worth noting that “pushed out” is also used when describing betting odds that have recently expanded. For example, Shishkin’s odds may be pushed out from favourite to second favourite before a race.

SO WHAT DOES DRIVEN OUT MEAN?

If you hear a horse being “driven out” then it usually means 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.

A horse being “driven out” isn’t necessarily bad. It’s just about ensuring the incentive is there.

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.

HORSE RACING PUSHED OUT EXAMPLES

Here’s a great example of a horse pushing out towards the end of a race.

Jango Baie won on good-to-soft ground at Cheltenham with a magnificent ride over the last four jumps. The “light bulb moment” came and the horse steadily pushed out on the final two fences to saunter home to victory.

Pushing out is often seen in the final third of a race when the horses are beginning to sprint just a little bit faster. However, you can also spot it happening much earlier in the race, if you follow the coverage live.

You might spot a horse steadily pushing out as the jockey finds a nice position to be in at the front of the pack. The horse doesn’t need to break away but merely glides along until the jockey gives the go-ahead to charge.

Another example came at the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2016, when Annie Power pushed out with two hurdles remaining. The bolt was truly remarkable and jockey Ruby Walsh barely had to do any work to coax the horse over the line.

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