Distance (general terms )


The length of a race: 5 furlongs is the minimum and the 4 1/2 miles of the Grand National the longest.
Also, the margin by which a horse wins or is beaten by the horse in front: this ranges from a short head
to 'by a distance' (more than 30 lengths); a 'length' is measured from the horse's nose to the start of its tail.y.