What Does ‘Also Ran’ Mean in Horse Racing?
This is a classic term that comes directly from horse racing (you’ll also hear it in dog racing).
In short, “Also Ran” is the official term for any horse that did not finish in the money.
In the US, this means any horse that did not finish in the top three (Win, Place, or Show). If a horse finishes 4th, 5th, or last, it is listed as an “Also Ran” on the results sheet.
- 1st Place = Win
- 2nd Place = Place
- 3rd Place = Show
- 4th and worse = Also Ran
If you bet on a horse to Win, Place, or Show, and it finishes 4th, you’ve bet on an “also ran,” and your bet is a loser.
Why “Also Ran” Matters to Bettors
For bettors, the “also ran” designation is more than just a label—it tells you how competitive (or uncompetitive) a horse was in a race. A horse that finishes a close 4th behind strong competition might still be a valuable pick in future races, especially if the betting public overlooks it. On the other hand, a horse that consistently shows up in the “also ran” section with large defeat margins may signal poor form, distance issues, or fitness problems.
How Handicappers Use Also-Ran Performances
Experienced handicappers dig into also-ran results to find hidden value. Not all fourth-place finishes are equal… a horse might have had a bad start, been boxed in, or faced a much faster pace than usual. These subtle factors often create opportunities in upcoming races when the odds drift higher because casual bettors only see the horse didn’t finish in the money. Spotting these situations is one of the ways sharp bettors get ahead of the market.
“Also Ran” in Other Racing and Sports Contexts
Although the term started in horse racing, you’ll hear “also ran” used in greyhound racing, auto racing, and even general sports discussions. In everyday sports talk, calling a team an “also ran” implies they competed but never truly contended for a top finish. It’s a quick way to separate the favorites from the rest of the field and highlight the gap between contenders and participants.