Bore Out in thoroughbred horse racing refers to when a horse moves outward (toward the outside rail) in a quick, uncontrolled manner during a race. This term describes the exact opposite of “bore in,” where a horse would move inward toward the inside rail.
The movement typically occurs on turns and represents a moderate level of severity compared to other similar racing behaviors. Bore out is less severe than “bolted,” which describes when a horse bears out sharply and very quickly, ending up well past the middle of the track. However, it’s more deliberate and uncontrolled than simple “drifting out,” which is a gradual sideways movement.
This behavior can be caused by several factors including injury, fatigue, outside distractions, or poor riding. Race commentators and handicappers use this term to describe what happened during a race, as it can significantly impact a horse’s performance and finishing position.