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THE JUDGE
The Judge is responsible for ensuring that all horses are correctly identified as they cross the finishing line, and that each race is therefore given the correct result.
BEFORE THE RACE
The Judge prepares for each race by drawing up a colour coding system to help them identify the silks that each of the jockeys will be wearing. They will also note any distinguishing features that each horse might have, such as white markings on the face and/or items of headgear and tack.
Once the Judge has taken up position in the Judges’ Box (which is always situated exactly on the winning line), they will speak with the Starter via radio to confirm that they are in position and the race can begin.
Having worked with the Photofinish Operator to ensure that all Photofinish equipment is set up correctly, they will be happy that evidence of the result will be accurately recorded, and that the correct 'Lengths Per Second' (which is used to calculate the distances between finishers) is in use, depending on the surface or going conditions of the day.
AFTER THE RACE
As the first four horses cross the line (or first five if the race is a handicap of 16 or more runners), the Judge will identify and record the finishing order using the colour coding system they have put in place before the race. In doing so they will call for a Photofinish if they are unable to determine any placing by the naked eye.
They will then validate the distances between each placing using the time elapsed between each horse as they cross the line, using the 'Lengths Per Second' scale.
Once the result is determined, it is announced to the public, giving the distances between the first three placed horses, as well as the official time of the winning horse for a Flat race (all of which are electronically timed).
The result is then confirmed to the Clerk of the Scales, who will weigh in returning jockeys as appropriate.
Using the Photofinish record of the race, the Judge then places and records all of the remaining finishers as they crossed the line. This full result is then distributed to Weatherbys, the Stewards and any applicable media present at the racecourse as part of the ‘Official Return’ for the day.
View images of recent photofinishes
Find out more about how the Judge calculates distances
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