Timeform
Timeform is a British sports data and content provider specializing in horse racing, renowned for its objective ratings system that assesses a horse's merit based on performance adjusted for race weights.[1] Founded in 1948 by Phil Bull, a prominent punter and analyst, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, it has established itself as an authoritative source for racing form, tips, and analytical tools used by bettors, trainers, and industry professionals worldwide.[2][3] The company's ratings originated from Bull's emphasis on the time-value of performances, factoring in variables such as track conditions, weather, surface, and weight-for-age allowances to produce standardized figures that enable precise comparisons across races.[3] Over the decades, Timeform published annual publications such as Racehorses of [year] (covering flat racing) and Chasers & Hurdlers (for jumps racing), which provided in-depth reviews of every horse's season, along with racecourse commentary and physical descriptions of horses; print editions of these were discontinued in 2020.[2] Key figures such as Geoff Greetham (d. 2025) and Nigel Townsend (d. 2025) contributed to refining its methodologies, solidifying its reputation for accuracy and detail.[2] Today, Timeform operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment plc, delivering digital products including racecards, results, betting tips, and computer timefigures that measure speed in seconds per five furlongs, with sectional timings for major UK and Irish jumps courses.[4] Its data supports both consumer-facing platforms and B2B services, such as partnerships with betting operators, maintaining its role as a cornerstone of the global horse racing ecosystem.[5][6][7]History
Founding and Early Years
Timeform was founded in 1948 by Phil Bull in Yorkshire, United Kingdom, as a private venture aimed at analyzing horse racing times and form to aid betting decisions.[2][8] Bull, born in 1910 as the son of a Yorkshire miner, held a mathematics degree from Leeds University and initially worked as a mathematics teacher at Hemsworth Grammar School in Yorkshire before dedicating himself fully to racing analysis.[8][9] His early efforts involved developing speed figures derived from stopwatch timings at UK racecourses, adjusting for factors such as track conditions, going, wind, and pace to evaluate race performances accurately.[8] In its formative years, Timeform concentrated on flat racing data collection, with Bull and his team manually timing races and compiling performance assessments.[2][8] This hands-on approach led to the creation of the first Timeform ratings in the late 1940s, initially developed in collaboration with analyst Dick Whitford to quantify horse abilities more precisely than traditional time measurements.[8] The inaugural Timeform Race Card was launched in 1948, providing daily race previews and form analysis via mail order under Bull's pseudonym William K. Temple to maintain professional discretion.[8][10] The Timeform annual series evolved from Phil Bull's earlier Best Horses publications, starting with Best Horses of 1944 in 1945, and the Racehorses annual beginning in 1948, offering comprehensive ratings, statistics, and commentary on flat racers.[2][8] Key figures like Geoff Greetham, who served as editor of the annuals, and Nigel Townsend further refined the ratings system in later decades. In the 1970s, Timeform expanded its comprehensive coverage to jumps racing with the launch of the Chasers & Hurdlers annual in 1975/76, covering hurdles and steeplechases with dedicated ratings for National Hunt horses.[2][9] This period marked Timeform's transition from a niche timing service to a foundational resource in British horse racing evaluation.[8]Acquisitions and Current Ownership
Timeform operated as an independent publishing and data company for nearly six decades after its founding in 1948, specializing in horse racing analysis and ratings. In December 2006, it was acquired by Betfair, the UK's leading sports betting exchange, for approximately £15 million.[11] This purchase, completed on November 29, 2006, marked a significant shift, embedding Timeform's expertise in performance metrics and form data directly into Betfair's digital betting ecosystem to improve user tools for wagering on horse races.[12] The acquisition enabled synergies between Timeform's analytical depth and Betfair's technology platform, fostering innovations in real-time data delivery for bettors while preserving the organization's editorial independence in ratings production. In 2016, following Betfair's merger with Paddy Power to form Paddy Power Betfair plc (subsequently rebranded as Flutter Entertainment in 2019), Timeform transitioned to full ownership under Flutter on February 2, 2016.[2] This corporate evolution positioned Timeform within a global sports betting giant, valued at over €20 billion by 2025, allowing access to broader resources for technological upgrades and market outreach.[13] As of 2025, Timeform operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, headquartered in Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, with a dedicated team emphasizing data collection, statistical modeling, and content creation for horse racing and greyhound sectors.[2] Under Flutter's stewardship, the company has pursued strategic expansions, including the establishment of TimeformUS in 2014 to adapt its methodology for North American Thoroughbred racing, providing pace figures and speed ratings tailored to U.S. tracks.[14] Additionally, a 2024 partnership with PA Betting Services designates the latter as the exclusive distributor of Timeform's B2B products, such as race verdicts and odds-based forecasts, enhancing international reach across betting operators and media outlets.[5] These ownership changes have amplified Timeform's influence in the racing industry, transitioning it from a niche print-focused publisher to a key player in digital data services, while upholding its foundational principles of objective analysis amid growing commercialization pressures in the 1990s and beyond.[2]Rating System
Data Collection and Methodology
Timeform gathers data primarily from official race results provided by racing authorities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplemented by detailed race times, trainer and jockey statistics, pedigrees, and form assessments from select international jurisdictions including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, France, and parts of Europe.[15] This comprehensive approach ensures coverage of both flat and jumps racing, with an emphasis on variables such as distance, track surface conditions (including "going" ratings for turf firmness), weight carried, race class, age, margins of victory or defeat, and pace dynamics derived from sectional times.[15] Sectional times, which break races into segments to analyze speed variations, are collected using a combination of electronic data from tracks and manual measurements augmented by video analysis, allowing for precise evaluation of individual horse efforts within the field.[16] Historically, data collection relied on manual methods, including on-site stopwatch timing pioneered by Timeform's founder Phil Bull to record race performances accurately in an era before widespread electronic timing.[17] By the modern era, this has evolved to incorporate automated and digital processes, such as video replays for detailed pace scrutiny and real-time data feeds during race meetings, enabling Timeform to analyze approximately 11,000 horse races and over 130,000 individual performances annually in the UK and Ireland, as of 2025.[18] Video analysis plays a key role in verifying sectional splits and identifying pace biases, with Timeform maintaining an extensive archive of such data for Great Britain and Ireland, including all-weather meetings and selected turf events.[19][16] Timeform's database, which originated with ratings introduced in 1948, encompasses a vast historical record of horse performances dating back to 1933 for time data, supporting ongoing handicapping.[20] Real-time updates occur during live race meetings, integrating fresh results with the archive to maintain currency.[15] To ensure accuracy, all data undergoes rigorous quality control through cross-verification by expert handicappers, who manually review computerized initial assessments and adjust for potential anomalies such as unusual track conditions, wind effects, or race interference that could skew raw timings or form interpretations.[15] This dual manual-automated process refines the dataset, prioritizing objective analysis over unverified inputs and enabling consistent comparisons across eras and conditions.[15]Calculation of Ratings
Timeform ratings are expressed in pounds as part of a universal handicap system, where the scale for Flat racing typically ranges from around 0 for the least capable horses to 140 or higher for elite performers, with ratings above 130 indicating top-class ability.[21][22] For jumps racing, the scale is adjusted similarly but anchored to comparable benchmarks, reflecting the different demands of the discipline while maintaining the poundage equivalence.[15] The standard calculation begins with a baseline rating derived from the horse's previous form, which serves as an estimate of its current merit under optimum conditions. This baseline is then adjusted based on the horse's performance in a specific race, incorporating time-speed figures that quantify the race's pace and finishing times relative to standardized par times for the track and distance. These par times are track-specific benchmarks established from historical data since the 1930s, updated annually to account for changes in track configurations, surface conditions, and overall performance levels, and they normalize race times to a standard set of conditions such as weight-for-age and ideal going.[20][15] A key element in this process is the derivation of the speed figure adjustment, which measures how much faster or slower the race time was compared to the par time, converted into pounds using a scale where time differences are equated to weight equivalents (e.g., approximately 1 second per five furlongs equals 5 pounds). The overall rating is then computed as Rating = Baseline Form + Speed Figure Adjustment ± Weight/Conditions Modifications, where modifications include allowances for the weight carried (typically ±1 pound per actual pound difference from a standard 10 stone 0 pounds) and environmental factors like going or wind, applied after initial time-based assessment. For horses of different ages, the Timeform Weight-for-Age (TWFA) table further refines this by adding or subtracting pounds based on age, distance, and time of year—for instance, a 3-year-old might receive a 9-pound allowance over a 4-year-old in a May mile race.[20][21][15] Form lines are incorporated through iterative post-race updates, where the performance of rivals and beaten lengths are evaluated to refine the rating; beaten lengths are valued variably by distance, equating to about 3 pounds per length at five furlongs (for sprints) down to 1 pound per length at two miles, ensuring the rating reflects relative merit in a notional handicap. This process uses computerized algorithms to assess "differences at the weights" across the field, with handicappers then applying discretionary adjustments based on qualitative factors like pace bias or temperament before finalizing the master rating.[21][15] Ratings undergo annual recalibration to maintain consistency with historical anchors, such as the performances of benchmark horses like Frankel (rated 147, the highest ever for a Flat horse), while accommodating modern trends like improved breeding and training that have led to top ratings around 133 for elite performers such as Calandagan as of November 2025.[22][23][24]Variations by Racing Type
Timeform tailors its rating system to the specific characteristics of flat racing and National Hunt disciplines, employing separate scales that reflect the differing skill sets required, with flat ratings typically ranging from 0 to 140 or higher for elite performers, while jumps ratings extend from 0 to 175 or more.[25][26] For flat racing, the methodology prioritizes raw speed and pace, especially over shorter to middle distances like a mile, where maintaining optimal velocity is key to superior performances; poundage allowances per length vary by distance, exceeding 4 pounds per length in sprints under 55 seconds, but dropping to around 1 pound per length in longer 2-mile events. Adjustments account for surface type, with turf and synthetic tracks analyzed differently from dirt, where fields tend to string out more, but no deductions apply for jumping since obstacles are absent.[15] In hurdle racing, ratings integrate jumping efficiency as a core element, using in-play symbols to denote ability—such as "x" for poor jumpers (implying negative adjustments) or "j" for proficient ones—with deductions applied for mistakes that compromise rhythm, alongside considerations for shorter race distances and the softening effects of ground conditions on pace. The overall scale for jumps is shifted lower than flat ratings for equivalent class, with top hurdlers generally around 170, emphasizing a blend of speed and basic jumping competence over pure endurance.[27][28][15] Steeplechase ratings build further on these principles, heavily weighting stamina and jumping prowess due to larger fences and open ditches that elevate fall risks, with bold jumping earning positive adjustments (via symbols like "J" for outstanding) and poor efforts leading to greater penalties; longer races, such as the 4.5-mile Grand National, use sub-1 pound per length allowances to underscore endurance over speed.[27][15] Direct comparisons between flat and jumps ratings are not feasible owing to divergent demands—speed and agility in flat versus stamina and jumping in National Hunt—though Timeform assigns dual ratings to versatile horses that switch codes, such as those contesting events like the Champion Hurdle after flat careers.[26]Publications and Services
Traditional Print Outputs
Timeform's traditional print outputs have long served as essential resources for horse racing enthusiasts, trainers, and punters, offering detailed form analysis, ratings, and previews in physical formats. The cornerstone of these publications is the Timeform Race Card, first produced in 1948 shortly after the company's founding by Phil Bull. These daily cards cover upcoming meetings in the UK and Ireland, providing comprehensive horse form, Timeform ratings, race previews, and betting insights to aid informed wagering.[2] They remain available in printed form as of 2025, allowing users to access tangible, on-the-go references for race-day decision-making, though digital downloads have supplemented their distribution.[29] Complementing the daily Race Cards are Timeform's annual publications, which compile seasonal data into authoritative reviews. The Racehorses of [Year] series, launched in 1948, focuses on Flat racing and includes ratings, performance commentaries, and statistical summaries for every horse that competed in Britain and Ireland during the season.[26] Similarly, the Chasers & Hurdlers annual, introduced with its inaugural 1975/76 edition, provides in-depth analysis of National Hunt performers, featuring Timeform ratings and individual notes for thousands of horses across steeplechases and hurdles.[7] These volumes, often exceeding 1,000 pages, have been edited for decades by figures like Geoff Greetham, whose contributions elevated their reputation for meticulous, narrative-driven assessments until his passing in 2025.[2][30] Production of both series continued annually until the 2019/20 editions, after which Timeform discontinued new print runs in 2020 to align with evolving consumer preferences.[31] Past editions are still offered for sale, preserving their role as archival references for historical ratings and racing trends.[7] In October 2025, Timeform also mourned the passing of director Nigel Townsend, a key contributor to its operations and methodologies.[32] Additional print titles expanded Timeform's portfolio, targeting specialized aspects of the sport. The weekly Timeform Black Book, which summarized key performances and ratings from recent races, complemented the annuals but was also discontinued in print form alongside them in 2020.[33] Other specialist books, such as the Horses to Follow series, have persisted in print, with annual editions highlighting promising runners for upcoming seasons based on Timeform's expert selections. These outputs evolved from manual typesetting in the mid-20th century to modern digital printing techniques, maintaining a focus on high-quality, portable analysis valued by trackside users.[2] The shift toward digital media has impacted Timeform's print legacy, with circulation of annuals and supplementary titles declining post-2010 as online access to real-time data grew prevalent. Despite this, printed Race Cards and select books endure as of 2025, underscoring their enduring appeal for in-depth, non-interactive study among dedicated racing professionals and historians.[31]Digital and Online Offerings
Timeform's primary digital platform is its website, timeform.com, which serves as a comprehensive resource for horse racing enthusiasts, offering daily news, expert verdicts, racecards, form analysis, tips, results, and betting recommendations for UK and international events. The site provides free access to core content such as basic race previews and results, while premium features require a subscription to unlock deeper insights.[34][35][36] In 2016, Timeform launched an upgraded version of the website with enhanced mobile responsiveness, preserving essential tools like ratings updates, top horse profiles, and in-play hints that draw on historical betting data and race reporting. Users can access interactive elements, including the My Timeform Tracker for adding notes on horses and receiving email alerts for upcoming races, all at no cost. The platform also facilitates betting by linking directly to bookmakers from racecards and odds comparison tools.[37][38][39][40] Complementing the website, Timeform offers a free mobile app available for iOS and Android devices, enabling users to view racecards, results, tips, and historical form data on mobile devices for on-the-go access. The app integrates seamlessly with the website's content, supporting features like quick searches and notifications for key races.[41][42] For advanced users, Timeform's premium service, known as Race Passes, provides in-depth analysis through tiered subscriptions starting at £10 for a 24-hour pass or £30 monthly as of October 2025. This unlocks Timeform ratings, symbolic flags indicating horse potential, detailed form comments, and specialized metrics such as speed figures and trainer performance trends, enhancing betting strategies across British and Irish races.[43][44][45][46] Timeform also produces the annual Horses to Follow guide, available in digital format since the 2010s via online platforms like Calaméo, featuring expert selections of 50 British horses plus Irish contenders, complete with profiles, race histories, and trainer insights for the jumps or flat season. The 2025/26 jumps edition, released in October 2025, emphasizes emerging talent and includes additional sections on rising stars.[47][48][49] On the B2B side, Timeform licenses its data through the Global Sports API, which delivers real-time and historical horse racing information for integration into third-party platforms. Since 2016, this has included partnerships with Flutter Entertainment brands like Betfair, enabling API access for developers to incorporate Timeform ratings into betting applications. In 2024, Timeform expanded its B2B offerings via a partnership with PA Betting Services, which manages data distribution to international operators, including coverage of events like the 2025 Breeders' Cup where Timeform ratings informed post-race analyses.[50][51][5][52]Notable Ratings
Top Flat Thoroughbreds
Timeform's all-time highest-rated flat thoroughbreds are dominated by European performers, with ratings reflecting peak annual performances for horses aged three and older. The pinnacle is Frankel, awarded 147 for his 2012 season, an unbeaten record capped by an 11-length demolition in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, where his superiority over rivals like Black Caviar was deemed unmatched in Timeform's 70-plus years of records.[53] Sea-Bird holds second place at 145 from his 1965 campaign, while Brigadier Gerard and Tudor Minstrel share 144 from 1971 and 1947, respectively—the latter's rating stemming from wartime-era dominance in sprints. The full top 10, based on Timeform's annual ratings, is as follows:| Rating | Horse | Peak Year | Key Race(s) Highlighted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 147 | Frankel | 2012 | Queen Anne Stakes (Royal Ascot) |
| 145 | Sea-Bird | 1965 | Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe |
| 144 | Brigadier Gerard | 1971 | 2000 Guineas, Derby |
| 144 | Tudor Minstrel | 1947 | 2000 Guineas (by 4 lengths) |
| 143 | Flightline | 2022 | Pacific Classic (by 8 lengths) |
| 142 | Abernant | 1949 | July Cup (sprint mastery) |
| 142 | Ribot | 1956 | King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 141 | Mill Reef | 1971 | Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe |
| 140 | Dancing Brave | 1986 | King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 140 | Dubai Millennium | 2000 | Dubai World Cup |
Top Steeplechase Horses
Timeform's highest-rated steeplechase horses reflect exceptional performances over fences, with ratings emphasizing superiority in speed, stamina, and jumping ability in major National Hunt contests. The all-time leader is Arkle, awarded a rating of 212 for his 1965 season, the highest ever given to a chaser, following victories including three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups (1964–1966).[26] Flyingbolt follows at 210, while Sprinter Sacre achieved 192p in 2013 after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup and two Champion Chases. Kauto Star earned 191 in 2009, highlighted by two Gold Cup triumphs (2007, 2009) and five King George VI Chase wins. Other historical standouts include Mill House at 191 (Gold Cup 1963), Desert Orchid at 187 (Gold Cup 1989), Burrough Hill Lad at 185 (Gold Cup 1984), and Best Mate at 182 (three consecutive Gold Cups 2002–2004). These ratings, derived from Timeform's assessments since 1948, often correlate with Gold Cup success, underscoring the race's role in elevating chasers to elite status.[26][60]| Rank | Horse | Rating | Year | Notable Gold Cup Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkle | 212 | 1965 | 1964, 1965, 1966 |
| 2 | Flyingbolt | 210 | 1966 | None |
| 3 | Sprinter Sacre | 192p | 2013 | 2013 |
| 4 | Kauto Star | 191 | 2009 | 2007, 2009 |
| 5 | Mill House | 191 | 1964 | 1963 |
| 6 | Desert Orchid | 187 | 1989 | 1989 |
| 7 | Burrough Hill Lad | 185 | 1984 | 1984 |
| 8 | Best Mate | 182 | 2004 | 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Rank | Horse | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galopin des Champs | 175 |
| 2 | Inothewayurthinkin | 174+ |
| 3 | Fact to File | 173 |
| 4 | Gerri Colombe | 172 |
| 5 | Il Etait Temps | 172 |
| 6 | Jonbon | 171 |
| 7 | Gaelic Warrior | 169 |
| 8 | Fastorslow | 168 |
| 9 | I Am Maximus | 168 |
| 10 | Marine Nationale | 167 |
| 11 | Grangeclare West | 166 |
| 12 | Nick Rockett | 166 |
| 13 | Spillane's Tower | 166 |
| 14 | El Fabiolo | 166x |
| 15 | Banbridge | 165 |
Top Hurdle Horses
In hurdle racing, a key component of National Hunt competition involving smaller obstacles that emphasize speed and agility over endurance, Timeform has assigned its highest ratings to a select group of standout performers. The pinnacle of these ratings is held by Night Nurse, who achieved 182 in the 1970s for his dominant displays in the Champion Hurdle and other top contests.[26] Istabraq follows closely with a career-high of 180, earned across his unbeaten run from 1997 to 2001, including three consecutive Champion Hurdle victories that solidified his status as one of the division's elite figures.[26] Monksfield matches this mark at 180, excelling in staying hurdles during the late 1970s with back-to-back Champion Hurdle triumphs.[26] Other notable entries in Timeform's all-time top 10 for hurdlers include Persian War at 179, a three-time Champion Hurdle winner in the 1960s known for his exceptional two-mile prowess; Comedy of Errors at 178, who secured two Champion Hurdles in the early 1970s; and Faugheen at 176, whose flawless novice season in 2014-15 culminated in a dominant Champion Hurdle win.[26] Hurricane Fly rounds out prominent Champion Hurdle scorers in this elite bracket with a high of 175, achieved during his record-breaking 2011-2013 campaign that featured two victories in the race and 22 Grade 1 successes overall.[64] These horses, many of whom claimed Champion Hurdle honors, exemplify Timeform's emphasis on performances that combine fluent jumping with rapid pace, often seeing rating uplifts in challenging conditions like soft ground where precision over hurdles proves decisive.[65]| Rank | Horse | Highest Timeform Rating | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Night Nurse | 182 | Two Champion Hurdles (1976-77) |
| 2= | Istabraq | 180 | Three Champion Hurdles (1998-2000) |
| 2= | Monksfield | 180 | Two Champion Hurdles (1978-79) |
| 4 | Persian War | 179 | Three Champion Hurdles (1968-70) |
| 5 | Comedy of Errors | 178 | Two Champion Hurdles (1973-74) |
| 6 | Lanzarote | 177 | Champion Hurdle (1974) |
| 6 | Limestone Lad | 177 | Irish Champion Hurdle wins |
| 6 | Constitution Hill | 177 | Champion Hurdle (2023) |
| 9 | Bula | 176 | Champion Hurdle (1972) |
| 9 | Faugheen | 176 | Champion Hurdle (2015) |