In horse racing, a stayer is a horse that typically performs well over long distances and maintains its speed, rather than relying on short bursts of pace and acceleration. For those who
watch horse racing often, you will be familiar with some of the best stayers in the sport, such as all-time greats like Alycidon, Stravdivarius, and Trueshan. Here, we are going to look at what a stayer is, some examples, and why stayers are important for bettors.
What Defines A Stayer?
A stayer is typically a horse that performs best in races run over long distances, usually one mile and six furlongs and upwards on the Flat, or over extended distances in National Hunt racing. These horses are known for their endurance, strong finishing effort, and ability to keep going when others begin to tire.
Stayers are often not the quickest horses early in a race, but they come into their own as the distance increases and stamina becomes the deciding factor. Here are some of the key characteristics of stayers in horse racing:
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Distance - Stayers typically excel in flat races that are long in distance
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Stamina over Speed - While all racehorses are fast, a stayer’s primary asset is its ability to maintain speed and energy over long distances, often lacking the initial acceleration.
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Genetics: Their ability is often linked to specific genetic types; a T:T type is considered a true stayer, whereas a C:C type is known as more of a sprinter.
Famous Stayer Races
The UK is home to some of the most prestigious stayer races in the world, where stamina and endurance are the keys to victory. Among the most famous is the Ascot Gold Cup, run over 2 miles 4 furlongs during the Royal Ascot meeting, considered a true test of elite stayers. The Goodwood Cup, a historic Group 1 race over 2 miles at Glorious Goodwood, also showcases the country’s top long-distance horses.
The St. Leger Stakes, the final British Classic of the flat season, covers 1 mile 6 furlongs and 132 yards and is traditionally for three-year-olds, making it the longest of the five Classics. Other notable contests include the Yorkshire Cup at York, a 1-mile 6-furlong race often used as a trial for the Gold Cup; the Doncaster Cup, one of the oldest races in the UK at 2 miles 2 furlongs 177 yards; and the Northumberland Plate, a famous 2-mile handicap at Newcastle affectionately known as the “Pitmen’s Derby.” These races highlight the skill, strategy, and endurance required of true stayer horses in British racing.
Betting On Stayers
Betting on stayers can be very different from wagering on sprinters, as long-distance races involve strategy, pace, and stamina. Here are some tips you can take into account when placing bets on stayers:
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Look at recent form over distance: Check how a horse has performed in races of similar length, not just speed figures.
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Consider stamina and pedigree: Horses bred for long-distance lines are more likely to excel in staying races.
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Watch the pace scenario: Slow early paces can favour a horse that finishes strongly, while fast early paces might tire out front-runners.
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Check the jockey and trainer stats: Experienced jockeys and trainers with a record in long-distance races can make a big difference.
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Mind the conditions - Heavy or soft ground can favour stayers with proven stamina over firm-track sprinters.
Throughout horse racing, placing bets or
free bets on stayers might give you an advantage against sprinters, depending on a variety of conditions and factors. By finding out the strengths and weaknesses of specific horses, you can find which horses perform better at certain lengths.
If you are interested in keeping up to date with the action, make sure to check out Racing TV, which features live races for both stayers and sprinters, along with
horse racing racecards and recent results.