Royal Ascot jargon buster

Don't get bamboozled on a day at the races - use our A-Z jargon buster to help you understand the lingo.

Presenting the letter U . . .

Under starter's orders/under orders
A phrase used to signal that a race is about to begin. Once the horses are in the stalls for a Flat race, or have lined up at the start for a jumps race, they are said to be ‘under starter’s orders’ (ie. the jockeys are waiting for the starter’s signal to begin the race).

Unfancied
Not expected to win.