Speed index

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Speed index (sometimes Speed rating) is a system of rating the performance of Quarter Horse racehorses. The American Quarter Horse Association (or the AQHA) has used two systems over the history of Quarter Horse racing to evaluate racing performances. The original system used a letter grade, starting at D, then C, B, A and the highest AA. Later AAA was tacked on the top, and later still AAAT (for TOP AAA) was made the top speed. Eventually, this system became too cumbersome, and a new system was introduced: the Speed Index system, which used a number system, with 100 being roughly equivalent to the old AAAT. This change occurred in 1969. [1]

American Quarter Horse Association American horse breed registry for Quarter Horses

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry. The organization also houses the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum and sponsors educational programs. The organization was founded in 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas and now has nearly 350,000 members.

Contents

The actual calculation of the speed index starts with taking the three fastest winning times at a particular distance for the past three years at a given track. These times are averaged together, which is then the 100 speed index for that distance at that track. If the average doesn't meet the minimum standard time given by the AQHA for that distance, then the minimum standard time is used instead of the specific track average. To calculate a specific speed index for a specific horse in a specific race, the time the horse finished in is compared to the averaged speed for the distance the race was, and points are added or subtracted based on whether the time was faster or slower than the average. The number of points subtracted or added varies according to the distance of the race, and is based on a chart put out by the AQHA. [2]

The AQHA's award Race Register of Merit is awarded to any horse that achieves a Speed Index of 80 or higher during an approved AQHA race. [3]

See also

The Beyer Speed Figure is a system for rating the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America designed in the early 1970s by Andrew Beyer, the syndicated horse racing columnist for The Washington Post. First published in book form in 1975, Daily Racing Form began incorporating Beyer Speed Figures in a horse's past performances in 1992 and the system now assigns a Beyer number for each horse race. Overall, the number reflects not only the winning time, but the time of the race and the inherent speed of the track over which it was run. On the Beyer scale, the top stakes horses in the United States and Canada earn numbers in the 100s, while extremely strong performances can rate as high as the 120s. In Europe, Timeform has a similar rating scale that yields a number, but with a different value. The popular rule of thumb for a rough equivalent of the Timeform score is to deduct 12-14 points to achieve the Beyer figure. For American Quarter Horse racing, the Speed index rating system is used.

Timeform

Timeform is a sports data and content provider located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry. The company was purchased by the sports betting exchange Betfair in December 2006. Since 2 February 2016, it has been owned by Paddy Power Betfair.

Notes

  1. ↑ Close Legends pp. 6–7
  2. ↑ AQHA Racing Frequently Asked Questions
  3. ↑ American Quarter Horse Association Official Handbook p. 80

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References

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