- This topic has 8 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I have a couple of questions for the forum on two racing terms I’ve not been quite able to figure out.
Firstly the term ‘Distaff” , as in the Distaff race at the Breeders Cup. The meaning of this term eludes me. I’ve even tried a few dictionarys, to no avail.What does it mean please?
Secondly, the term ‘Family’ in relation to horses, as in,such a horse is from the family of or from the same family as. My understanding is it’s in realation to the Dam’s side. If this is correct could someone expand on this. Otherwise could someone explain please?
Thank you.
Dermot H.Not sure the origins but distaff simply refers to filly and mares. Family in the phrase you use does indeed mean on the dam side.
Have you tried google?
I have, and here’s what it says.
"As a noun, a distaff is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax, and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fiber.
The traditional form is a staff, typically mounted as an attachment to a spinning wheel. It is placed next to the bobbin, where it will be in easy reach of the spinner. The fiber is wrapped around the staff, and tied in place with a piece of ribbon or string. More recently, hand-spinners have begun using wrist-distaffs to hold their fiber; these are made of flexible material such as braided yarn, and can swing freely from the wrist.
The term distaff is also used as an adjective and is used as a descriptor for a female grouping (e.g., the "distaff side" of a person’s family refer’s to the person’s mother and her blood relatives). This term developed in the English speaking communities where a distaff spinning tool was used often to symbolize domestic life. The term distaff has fallen largely into disuse in recent times, although its antonyms of sword and spear to describe a male grouping are even more obscure.
One still-recognized use of the term is in horse racing, where the American Breeders Cup run by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association where fillies compete in a separate race referred to as "The Distaff."
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
‘Distaff’ in relation to the Distaff race at the Breeders cup simply means for female horses.
As for ‘Family’ I am guessing it just means they are blood related so might exhibit the same characteristics.
So….. the ‘Filly and Mares, Distaff race’ = the ‘Filly and Mares, Filly and Mares race’…..only the Yanks…well I suppose it is the world Championship of racing.
Distaff describes the maternal line of a horse or human.
The Breeders’ Cup only calls the dirt races for fillies and mares the Distaff.
The turf equivalent is called the Filly and Mare Turf.
Secondly, the term ‘Family’ in relation to horses, as in,such a horse is from the family of or from the same family as. My understanding is it’s in realation to the Dam’s side.
Phrases like ‘from the family of’ and ‘from the same family as’ seem to be restricted to the maternal ‘bottom line’ of the pedigree: the ‘parallel’ descendants of the dam’s maternal ancestors e.g the families of the maternal grand-dam’s other progeny and so on back through the families generated by the other progeny of the maternal third-dam etc etc.
At least that’s the way I understand it.
It’s a similar scenario to restricting the terms full-, three parts- and half-siblings to the progeny of the same dam, not the same sire.
"Families" is explained at:
http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/ … mbers.html
I suppose the muddled jargon goes to hide up much of the misguided thinking and myth prevalent within breeding.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.