Non Runner Betting Term Meaning

If the N/R symbol is displayed beside a horses name, it means it’s a non-runner. If you’ve already placed a wager on the horse which has been withdrawn your bet will usually be void and your stake will be returned in full. 

We say ‘usually’, different bookmakers have their own rules, especially online if punters are using free bets or some other promo offer. Our advice is to always check the terms and conditions beforehand so you know where you stand.

There are plenty of factors which could cause a trainer to withdraw a horse from a race. Among the most common are:

Ground

If you’re familiar with horse racing you’ll know that the ground (going) is vital to a horse’s performance. The going will change depending on how wet the ground is. 

Therefore, if a horse is better suited to firm ground, the trainer might withdraw it if the going is soft. The reason being that the horse probably won’t perform well and the yard doesn’t see the point of taking a risk.

Due to the nature of the sport, horses often pick up injuries. This means that if a horse has a strain or damages its ligaments, it’ll be withdrawn from the race. 

If it is the regular jockey who gets injured, a replacement will usually be drafted in to allow the horse to run. When this happens price fluctuations are common.

If a horse is declared a non-runner long before the race begins your bets won’t be affected in any way. However, if a horse withdraws from a race when it’s in the stalls or at the starting post, a rule 4 deduction will be applied to all bets.

The amount that’s deducted will depend on how likely the horse was to win the race. For instance, you can expect a higher deduction for an odds on favourite compared to a 100/1 outsider.