Setting the Pace: The Rise of the Pacemakers in 2025

Introduction

Flat racing has always been as much about tactics as talent, and in 2025 one particular tactic has come sharply into focus: the use of pacemakers. Once a niche ploy reserved for select races, pacemakers are now a regular feature in major Group 1 contests, shaping the way top-level horses test their stamina, rhythm, and finishing kick.

At their core, pacemakers are deployed to ensure a strong and honest gallop, protecting stablemates from the pitfalls of a falsely run race. Trainers often use them to draw the sting out of rivals, expose stamina limits, or give a headline horse the best chance of showing its true class. The tactic is not new — the likes of Ballydoyle have long used “rabbits” to dictate race tempo — but the frequency and visibility of pacemakers this season has sparked renewed debate. Are they simply part of racecraft, or do they risk distorting the purity of competition?

This article explores the rise of pacemakers in big flat races: from recent high-profile examples to the tactical thinking that underpins them, their impact on betting and race dynamics, and the wider conversation about their role in modern racing.

2025 Key Examples:

• The Sussex Stakes at Goodwood: It seems fitting to start with what will arguably go down as the most famous pacemaker in British racing history, where QIRAT became the biggest priced Group 1 winner in British flat racing ever at 150/1. Entered into the race as a pacemaker for the 1/3F FIELD OF GOLD (both owned by Juddmonte), he was just supposed to set the tempo from the front of the pack, but to just about everyone’s surprise once he got himself ahead there was no catching him. This is a very rare occurrence that the pacemaker actually goes onto win the race (last seen in when AUDIENCE won last year’s Lockinge at 22/1), but of course it makes little difference to the owners who wins as the prize money still ends up in their pockets.
• The Juddmonte International at York: A race in which nearly saw a carbon copy of what had happened a month prior in the Sussex Stakes, involving another 150/1 pacemaker in BIRR CASTLE for Godolphin, who’s job it was to set the pace for the 7/4F OMBUDSMAN. In this instance, the plan worked to perfection with BIRR CASTLE stretching the field out and gaining a 20 length advantage, and he was ultimately caught by the winner OMBUDSMAN and also Ballydoyle’s Delacroix. This proved a brilliant strategy for Godolphin, with the group taking home the prize money for both 1^st and 3^rd place.
• The Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot: This race included the pacemaker CONTINUOUS, who is frequently used by Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle. Set off at 100/1 as a pace setter for 13/8F LOS ANGELES, he was pushed along straight out of the stalls and led the group at a very strong gallop and ultimately was caught by the pack 2f out and weakened (or should I say eased up once his job was done) quickly to finish last. Unfortunately for connections at Ballydoyle, the plan didn’t work out as Los Angeles could only manage a disappointing 5^th under Ryan Moore, with Godolphin’s Ombudsman taking the glory, in the end probably helped by Continuous’ efforts.

Impact on Race Dynamics

• Ensuring a “true test”: Pacemakers make sure the race is run at an honest pace, which helps connections of the classier horse avoid being undone by a crawl and a sprint finish.
• Tactical battles: Trainers and jockeys may have to alter tactics on the fly if the pacemaker goes off too hard (or too softly). This creates an extra layer of strategy, especially in small fields.
• Potential distortion: Sometimes the presence of a pacemaker distorts the race, drawing rivals into chasing an unsustainable pace and softening them up for the “main” runner to strike late.
• Fairness debate: Critics argue pacemakers undermine the purity of competition — if they’re not intended to win, are they truly competing? Supporters counter that they create truer, more representative results in top-level races.

Impact on Betting Markets

• Uncertainty factor: Pacemakers add an extra layer of uncertainty for punters. When a supposed “non-trier” like Qirat at Goodwood ends up winning at 150/1, it can cause seismic market shocks.
• Market drift for the pacemaker: Usually, pacemakers are dismissed by the market and priced up at long odds, as they’re not expected to contest the finish. This can sometimes lead to mispricing if the pacemaker is actually capable of more.
• Favourites under pressure: A strong gallop forced by a pacemaker can test favourites who may rely on tactical races or a slower tempo. This has led to well-backed favourites shortening initially, only to drift once the gallop is confirmed pre-race.
• Value seekers’ angle: Some bettors look specifically for races with pacemakers, expecting the “true run race” to suit strong stayers or hold-up horses, and they’ll play accordingly.

Criticisms

One of the most common criticisms is that pacemakers exist purely to benefit a stablemate, rather than running their own race to win. While the rules require every horse to be ridden on its merits, the reality is that many pacemakers are sacrificed early, often fading badly once their job is done. This can give the impression that they are little more than tactical pawns rather than genuine contenders.

The optics of this can also frustrate punters. For casual bettors, watching a horse from a powerful yard run aggressively before quickly dropping out may appear misleading. Even seasoned punters can find it difficult to untangle how much influence a pacemaker has had on the overall result — especially if it compromises a rival’s chances by forcing an unsustainable pace.

There are also concerns around the dominance of large operations. Stables with the resources to field multiple runners can deploy pacemakers at will, shaping the tempo of a race to their advantage. Smaller yards, with just one or two representatives, cannot compete tactically in the same way. This imbalance has led to accusations that pacemakers skew the playing field further towards the sport’s biggest names.

Finally, the perception issue cannot be ignored. Racing often faces scrutiny over transparency, and pacemakers risk adding another layer of confusion for fans unfamiliar with their role. When horses are not seen to be competing for the win, critics argue that it undermines the essence of the sport: the idea that every runner has an equal chance to triumph.

The Future of Pacemakers

Governing bodies, such as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), currently permit pacemakers as long as each horse is “run on its merits.” That means they cannot deliberately impede rivals, nor can jockeys simply pull up once their job is done. However, enforcement is tricky — and stewards have occasionally stepped in where they feel a pacemaker hasn’t been asked for a genuine effort. If debate around fairness grows, regulators may feel pressure to tighten guidance or increase scrutiny. One possible development could be clearer communication. While racing insiders understand the role of pacemakers, casual viewers often do not. Governing bodies may encourage (or require) trainers to declare pacemakers more explicitly in racecards, helping demystify their function for punters and TV audiences.

As elite stables continue to dominate, pacemakers may remain an essential tool in securing Group 1 success. However, smaller yards might push back, arguing the tactic gives big operations an unfair edge. This could drive further debate about competitive balance in top-class racing. It’s also possible pacemakers become less necessary in future. As sectional timing, data analysis, and race-pace modelling become more sophisticated, trainers may feel more confident relying on race tactics rather than sending out “rabbits.” Technology could partly replace the need for a horse whose sole job is to force the gallop.

Conclusion

Pacemakers have become an increasingly visible part of modern flat racing, shaping the tempo of some of the season’s biggest Group 1 contests. They can bring clarity, ensuring a truer test of stamina, but they also stir debate about fairness, transparency, and the balance of power between large and smaller stables. Whether they remain a staple tactic or evolve under closer scrutiny, one thing is clear: pacemakers are no longer just background players — they are central to the way the sport’s biggest races are run and understood.