When reviewing
horse racing racecards, you may encounter a horse stat called ‘RPR’, which can appear and may seem like just another number in a sea of numbers. Still, in reality, it is one of the most useful tools in the racecard for understanding horses.
At Racing TV, we’ll break down exactly what RPR stands for, how it works and how you can use it to make smarter decisions when studying for or placing a bet.
What Does RPR Mean?
RPR stands for Racing Post Rating.
It’s a performance score assigned by the analysts at the Racing Post, one of the UK’s leading horse racing publications. These ratings are independent of official handicap marks and are designed to reflect a horse’s actual performance in a race, based on expert analysis and race conditions.
In short, RPR is a numerical score that tells you how well a horse ran in a particular race, making it a great way to catch up with how the action unfolded for each horse.
How Are RPRs Calculated?
RPRs are not pulled from thin air; they’re carefully calculated by the Racing Post’s team of professional handicappers using a variety of factors, including:
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Ground conditions (going)
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Winning margin or defeat margin
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Race speed and overall performance
Unlike official handicap ratings (set by the BHA or other authorities), RPRs can be more flexible and reactive, giving you a fresher take on how good a horse really was on the day.
What Do RPR Numbers Mean?
The general rule is that the higher the RPR, the better the performance, yet the numbers can vary depending on the race type. Here is a rough guide:
For Flat Racing:
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60-80: Average handicappers
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90-100: Useful horses, often winning at Class ¾ level
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110-120: High-quality horses
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120+: Group class performers
For National Hunt Racing:
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100-120: Decent handicappers
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130-140: Strong contenders in major handicaps
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170+: Exceptional talents at the biggest stages
Why is RPR Useful?
RPR helps punters and fans compare horses across different races, distances, and conditions. It’s especially useful because it offers an independent view, it’s not influenced by official handicaps or prize money. For those who
watch horse racing, RPR is a valuable indicator to use when judging a horse’s talent and performance.
You can use RPR to:
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Spot horses that are improving or declining in form
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Compare performances across different racecourses
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Identify value bets (e.g. horses with strong RPRs but long odds)
How to Use RPR in Form Analysis
Let’s look at an imaginary racecard featuring two horses:
Horse A (RPPs from last 3 races):
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126 (placed in a Listed race)
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130 (2nd in a competitive handicap carrying top weight)
Horse B (RPPs from last 3 races
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118 (3rd in a weak handicap)
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113 (midfield in a novice event)
On paper, Horse B may have two recent wins, but Horse A has been consistently performing better against stronger opposition and carrying more weight, and that’s reflected in the higher RPRs.
If both horses are similarly priced in the market, Horse A might represent better value, even if its win record is less eye-catching.
RPR in Horse Racing
RPR can be used as a powerful tool in a punter’s arsenal, especially when used alongside other data like going, draw, trainer form and speed figures. While it is not an indicator of a win or a loss, RPR does offer a quick and clear sign of performance, and it often highlights where value can be found in betting markets.
If you are interested in horse racing, then Racing TV is the best place to be, as we offer fantastic content, alongside the best
horse racing tips! Not to mention, the site is also full of
free bets, which can be used across horse racing meetings throughout the year.