Handicap (horse racing) handicapping a horse race: Handicap (horse racing) A handicap race in horse racing is a race in which horses carry different weights, allocated by the handicapper. A better horse will carry a heavier weight, to give it a disadvantage when racing against slower horses. The skill in betting on a handicap race lies in predicting which horse can overcome its handicap. Although most handicap races are run for older, less valuable horses, this is not true in all cases; some great races are handicaps, such as the Grand National steeplechase in England and the Melbourne Cup in Australia. In the
Horse racing in Thailand place no more than once a week in Bangkok. Toward the end of the twentieth century, horse racing experienced a gradual decline as races became more restricted and other forms of (illegal) gambling gained popularity. Several racecourses underwent restructuring and/or change of ownership in the 1990s. Today, seven of eight racecourses throughout the country remain operational. In addition to the two in Bangkok, there are racecourses in Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Roi Et and Chiang Mai provinces. (The one in Maha Sarakham has since closed down.) Horse racing in Thailand Horse racing was introduced to Thailand in the