Master the art of understanding horse racing ground conditions. Learn how the going stick works and how ground affects race outcomes.
The Complete Going Scale
Click on each going type to learn more:
Heavy
What It Means
Race Impact
Preferred Horse Types
Famous Examples
Understanding the Going Stick
What is a Going Stick?
The going stick (also called a penetrometer) is a precision measuring device used by official course inspectors to quantify ground conditions. It's a long, graduated rod that's pushed into the ground to measure how firm or soft the turf is. The measurement helps racing officials determine the official going classification and ensures consistency across different racecourses.
How It Works: The stick is pushed into the ground to a fixed depth, and the resistance reading is recorded. Different readings translate directly to different going classifications, removing guesswork and ensuring fair, standardized assessments.
Going Stick Readings & Classifications
Below 4
Heavy
Extremely wet, waterlogged conditions. Very few races are run on Heavy going. Rarely seen outside winter months.
4–6
Soft
Wet, holding ground. Favours horses with stamina. Common in autumn and winter. Slightly easier than Good to Soft.
6–7
Good to Soft
Wet but not waterlogged. Balanced ground. Many horses excel on this going. Ideal for stamina-focused runners.
7–8
Good
Ideal racing ground. Most horses prefer this. Offers the best balance of pace and safety. Most common classification.
8–9
Good to Firm
Dry and firm. Faster ground suits speed-focused horses. Common in summer. Can be testing for some runners.
9+
Firm
Very firm, fast ground. Significantly favours pace and speed. More common in summer. Can be taxing on joints.
Very Hard
Hard
Extremely firm, concrete-like. Racing rarely occurs. Great risk of injury. Only in severe drought conditions.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer these quick questions to test your understanding of horse racing going.
Question 1: A going stick reading of 5 would typically mean:
Question 2: Which going type is usually considered ideal for most horses?
Question 3: Which horses typically perform best on Firm ground?
Question 4: What does a going stick primarily measure?