Racing Colors

Racing colors are the distinctive patterns and colors on the jacket and cap registered by an owner and worn by the jockey riding that owner’s horse. They help viewers distinguish runners during a race. When an owner has a horse in the field, its jockey wears that owner’s registered design.

Whom the colors represent

Silks identify the owner rather than serving as a jockey’s permanent uniform. When a jockey rides for a different owner, the jockey wears that owner’s colors in that race. To understand the connection correctly, match the silks with the owner listed on the racecard rather than memorizing them by jockey.

Following a runner

From a distance, a horse’s number may not remain easy to see. The jacket and cap pattern can then provide another visual clue. Similar colors do occur, so use the silks together with the horse number, cap color, and on-screen broadcast graphics.

Not the horse’s coat color

Racing colors describe the clothing worn by the jockey. They are unrelated to the horse’s natural coat color. English-language material may use racing colors, British racing colours, colors, or silks; in this context, all refer to the registered jacket-and-cap design used to identify ownership.

See How to Read a Korean Racecard for how colors and owner information appear in race listings.