If you watch horse racing regularly you will hear the term “bar” when talking about the odds in a specific race. This is a bookmaker term related to the betting market and most commonly it is used when listing the odds of each horse in a race.
In a race with lots of runners, the presenter or pundit may list each runner and its current odds before stating it is “16/1 bar”. In that case, every horse not mentioned is trading at odds of 16/1 or higher. The phrase “bar” is used to separate the leading fancied runners from the rest of the field.
The Simple Meaning of “Bar” in Horse Racing Betting
You may hear the term “bar” at the races when bookmakers are shouting out the odds on runners in an upcoming race or during a televised racing broadcast when presenters or pundits are doing likewise.
On-course bookmakers will use the term to advertise the generosity of odds beyond the market leaders. You may hear them shout “10/1 bar two!”, for example, which would mean that only two horses in the race are priced shorter than 10/1.
Why bookmakers use the word
In the case of a race like the Grand National, for example, where there are more than 30 runners, bookmakers aren’t going to call out every runner in the race and their current odds. They would call out those at the head of the betting – the fancied runners – before stating it is “10/1 bar”.
This allows them:
· To shorten odds discussions
· To show where the market becomes less competitive
· To quickly identify the favourites versus the rest
How “Bar” Looks on a Horse Racing Odds Board
Example of a race market
When you are looking at the odds on horses in a race in the bookies or at the races, they are displayed showing their racecard number, name and current odds. When you see the term “bar” it means all runners thereafter are bigger than the price displayed.
Using a theoretical example of a race between these recent Grand National winners, this display below would mean that all other runners bar those listed are priced at odds of 20/1 or bigger.
| Number | Name | Odds |
| 1 | Nick Rockett | 4/1 |
| 2 | I Am Maximus | 6/1 |
| 3 | Corach Rambler | 7/1 |
| 4 | Noble Yeats | 15/2 |
| 5 | Minella Times | 9/1 |
| 6 | Tiger Roll | 10/1 |
| 7 | One For Arthur | 10/1 |
| 8 | Rule The World | 12/1 |
| 9 | Many Clouds | 14/1 |
| 10 | Pineau De Re | 16/1 |
| BAR | 20/1 |
How to read “4/1 bar”
This would mean the main contenders are priced at shorter than 4/1, while all other horses are priced at 4/1 or bigger.
Common “Bar” Phrases and What They Mean
| Phrase | What It Means | What It Tells The Bettor |
| 3/1 bar | All runners outside the shortest prices are 3/1 or bigger | The market is concentrated around a few leading contenders |
| 5/1 bar | Everything after the main fancies is 5/1 or higher | There is a clearer gap between favourites and outsiders |
| 10/1 bar | Horses not among the leading selections are 10/1 or more | The race may look open, but the top few still dominate the market |
| Odds-on bar one | One strong favourite, all others are bigger prices | The favourite is seen as much more likely than the rest |
Does “Bar” Mean Favourite in Horse Racing?
Not exactly
When listing racing odds, bookmakers will detail the fancied runners and their current odds before stating it is “6/1 bar” as an example. This means everything not named is 6/1 or bigger. Bar refers to the cut-off point after the main horses in the market are listed.
Favourite vs bar
· Favourite = the horse with the shortest odds
· “Bar” = the point separating leading prices from the rest
Why “Bar” Matters to Punters
Helps you read the strength of the market
The term “bar” helps show whether the race is dominated by one or two horses, or whether it is wide open and can help punters identify if the rest of the field is being overlooked against the fancied runners.
Can shape betting decisions
· Useful for win betting
· Useful for each-way betting
· Useful when comparing race competitiveness
Common Mistakes When People Misunderstand “Bar”
Thinking it refers to racecourse equipment or barriers
The term “bar” refers to betting odds only and has nothing to do with hurdles, rails, or starting stalls or equipment horses wear such as cheekpieces, visors, etc.
Assuming it always means poor chance
When a horse’s odds are outside the “bar” line on the market, this doesn’t mean they cannot win. A horse outside the “bar” is less fancied by the market, but not impossible to win as longshots still win races. The “bar” term is also used as a cutoff when no more horses can be displayed on a single screen or board.
Related Horse Racing Terms You Should Know
Useful terms often seen alongside “bar”
· Favourite – the shortest-priced runner in the race.
· Joint-favourite – when there are two horse sharing favouritism.
· Odds-on – the odds suggest a horse is more likely to win the race than not.
· Each-way – betting on both the win and place market.
· Outsider – a horse whose odds imply a win is unlikely.
· Market leader – another term for the favourite.
How to Use “Bar” to Judge Whether a Race Is Top-Heavy or Deep
When you see the “bar” term on a bookmaker’s board or screen it can give you a quick indication of how to assess the depth of the race itself.
· Short bar (e.g. 5/1–8/1) = lots of strong chances in the race and it is a strong betting heat.
· Medium bar (e.g. 10/1–14/1) – some clear contenders with depth in the field.
· Longer bar (e.g. 16/1–25/1+) = market is focused on the top end, with lots of outsiders.