Timeform ratings for foreign horses now in DRF past performances

Daily Racing Form is pleased to introduce Timeform ratings in its past performances for overseas shippers that are now racing in North America. Timeform has an international reputation for accuracy and objectivity, and its ratings are widely accepted as the definitive assessment of European racing merit.

How Timeform ratings will help you win

Users of DRF past performances will now be able to make a proper comparison between European horses when they ship in from overseas to race in North America. Just as Beyer Speed Figures help you assess the differences between North American horses, Timeform ratings will do the same for European horses.

How Timeform ratings are made

Racing in Europe (and on other continents) is different from racing in North America, so making speed figures is fundamentally different. At many tracks in Europe, the race distances are not measured as accurately as they are in North America, and only a few European tracks report fractional times. Additionally, in Europe, horses at the top levels generally carry substantially more weight, and the horses typically race without raceday medication.

Timeform uses a complex set of proprietary algorithms to measure these factors and establish initial ratings. A team of handicappers then confirms the final Timeform ratings for each horse’s performances. Timeform’s ratings are under continuous review to give customers the most up-to-date assessment possible.

The Timeform scale

The Timeform scale for rating horses is different than the Beyer Speed Figure scale. Top horses will typically win the most prominent European races for older horses – such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – with a Timeform rating in the 130s.

The Timeform scale for horses 3 years old and up looks like this:

140+ – An outstanding horse

130-135 – Above-average Grade 1 stakes winner

125-129 – Typical Grade 1 winner

115-124 – Typical Grade 2 winner

110-115 – Typical Grade 3 winner

To access Timeform Ratings, purchase one of DRF’s PP plans or single race cards. For our Classic PDF PPs, click here. For our interactive Formulator PPs, click here.