Typically seen in
horse racing racecards and after-race results, one of the horses may be labelled with ‘PU’, which can be confusing if you are not sure what it means. Whilst it might not be incredibly common, it is still handy to know what it means, especially if you place horse racing bets or follow a particular horse.
Here at Racing TV, we are going to look at what PU means, why it happens and why it is important to note when looking to place bets.
What Does ‘PU’ Stand For?
PU in horse racing stands for ‘Pulled Up’, and this means that the jockey stopped the horse during the race, before it reached the finish line. When a horse is pulled up, it does not complete the race, and you'll see PU listed next to its name in the official race results or form guide.
For those who
watch horse racing, you might have seen this happen before, and horses can pull up for a variety of reasons, depending on the circumstances of the horse and the race itself.
Why Does A Horse Pull Up?
There are several reasons why a jockey might pull up a horse mid-race, and it's usually a decision made for safety and welfare:
Common reasons include:
•
The horse appears injured or lame - If the horse shows signs of discomfort or is not moving properly, the jockey may stop to prevent further harm.
•
Fatigue or exhaustion - In longer races, particularly over jumps, a horse might tire out before the end. Rather than push it unnecessarily, the jockey may choose to pull up.
•
Loss of action - Sometimes a horse stops running smoothly — known as “losing its action” — and may be pulled up to avoid strain.
•
Out of contention - In some cases, if a horse is clearly out of the race and the jockey feels there’s nothing to gain by continuing, they may pull up the horse to conserve energy or prevent injury.
•
Refusal or mistake at a jump (in National Hunt races) - If a horse refuses a jump or makes a serious mistake, the jockey may pull up for safety reasons.
How Do You Know If A Horse Has Pulled Up?
If you are watching the race live, you will be able to see the horse pulling up, or you will hear the live commentator announce it during the race. However, after the race has finished, you will be able to find ‘PU’ on the
horse race results and form guides.
Numbers can surround the PU, and these numbers can help readers understand how the horse pulled up. For example, you might see 1-PU-5, which means the horse started the race in 1st, and pulled out of the race in 5th.
How Does PU Affect Betting?
If you have placed a win or each way bet on a horse that pulls up, your bet will be unsuccessful, and you will not make a return. Horse racing is an unpredictable sport, and if you are looking to place a bet on a horse and you see PU in their recent form, it might be worth checking out the reason why the horse was unable to finish the race.
Before placing the bet, it is important to:
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Look at why the horse was pulled up (the race report may give clues)
•
Check the ground conditions, distance, or other race factors
•
See if the horse has since returned to form in later races
PU In Horse Racing
Horses pulling up from races is quite a regular occurrence, and it is an important part of the sport to understand, even if you do not place bets.
Here at Racing TV, you can find the best horse racing
free bets, alongside other tips and guides which all relate to horse racing!