If you are a newcomer to the world of online sportsbooks and bookmakers, you may be a little perplexed by the varying terminology and the range of acronyms that are commonly used in sports betting. One of the abbreviations you are likely to come into contact with in sports books, though is ‘PU’, with this having considerable significance when it comes to horse racing markets. 
As a result of this, you might question, ‘what does PU mean in horse racing?’ due to the frequency at which this term may pop up. Do not worry, though, as we here at OddsMonkey will break down this exact consideration in full detail so that you can understand its importance in horse racing.
What Does PU Stand For?
First things first, we have got to explain exactly what does PU mean in horse racing. Simply put, this acronym stands for ‘Pulled Up’, with this referring to a situation in a race where either the horse pulls up, or the jockey mounting it deliberately stops it running. Although it is something that can generally happen within the world of horse racing, it has some special significance to online bookmakers as the instances of this occurring could potentially affect player wagers.
Why Might A Horse Pull Up? 
Now that you know the definition of PU in horse racing, you may be wondering what might cause a horse to pull up. There are actually several reasons why a horse or jockey may pull up in a chase, with some of the most common causes being as follows.
Injury & Fatigue 
One of the main reasons a PU might occur in horse racing is injury and fatigue. If a horse is experiencing some form of discomfort that hinders it from competing at a good enough level, it may pull up. If the jockey notices this, he too could cause the horse to pull up if he deems it unsafe for the horse to finish the race. The same thing applies if the horse is not performing and is showing signs of distress. In this case, the jockey might also choose to pull up in order to prevent any further injury or stress.
Tactical Decision
Another reason why a PU in horse racing might be forced is down to a jockey’s tactical decisions. If a race has commenced and the jockey notices the strategy is not working at all and the conditions are not favourable whatsoever, they may choose to pull up. If the chances of success are deemed low early on in a chase, this tactical decision can potentially prevent any unnecessary injuries should the horse finish the race instead.
Equipment Issue 
It is not just issues with a horse that can force a PU in horse racing either, with jockey equipment issues being another potential cause behind this. Should the tack, shoes, or even the whip of the jockey malfunction in any way or encounter a problem, this may cause the jockey to pull up to avoid any mishaps which may stem from these issues.
How Does A Horse Pulling Up Affect Odds? 
Although they clearly have an impact on races, a PU in horse racing can also have a significant effect on betting odds and the overall race dynamics. For example, if a horse pulls up, bookmakers may adjust the odds of the remaining horses still competing based on the absence of the horse that has withdrawn.  By reassessing the chances of the other participants, fluctuations may occur for all other horse prices, with general market activity also having an impact on this. It is worth noting, though, that this is done in play; therefore, it may be easy to miss these odd changes.
However, sometimes, the odds in a horse race may be affected by a horse pulling up after it has actually commenced.  Should this occur, the expected outcome of the race could have swayed drastically, and due to this, some sportsbooks could adjust any returns accordingly; when horse racing betting on any site, it is important to identify the conditions associated with a horse pulling up, with this simply being down to the effect it could have on any potential payouts.
Does A Horse Pulling Up Affect Matched Betting? 
In the case you are someone who utilises the matched betting strategy, it is important to understand how a horse pulling up could potentially affect your approach. Although matched betting involves all eventualities being covered by placing counteracting bets, this only works should the odds be favourable. Due to the impact a PU in horse racing could have on odds, this could potentially affect the returns of either your back or lay bet, too! Consequently, matched bettors need to stay vigilant when a horse pulls up, as it can introduce variables that affect betting outcomes.
For example, certain bookmakers may run refund offers should a horse pull up. Depending on their terms or conditions, the prices of the selected horse could be adjusted, or the initial stake may be refunded either in cash or free bet credits. If it is the latter, however, this could potentially benefit your matched betting approach, as using a Refund If calculator in tandem with any other matched betting calculator could help determine the theoretical returns.
Should you be new to the whole matched betting world, though, we here at OddsMonkey have you covered with all the information you need for this strategic approach. As we have already mentioned, there is a collection of dedicated betting calculators on site, as well as a range of sports betting guides and tutorials that can break down all the other finer details.
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