saddlecloth

American  

[sad-l-klawth, -kloth] / ˈsæd lˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

plural

saddlecloths

1. Horse Racing. a cloth placed over the saddle of a racehorse bearing the horse's number.

2. saddle blanket.

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saddlecloth British  

/ ˈsædəlˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a light cloth put under a horse's saddle, so as to prevent rubbing

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Etymology

Origin of saddlecloth

First recorded in 1475–85; saddle + cloth

Example Sentences

He was scheduled to break from nine, wearing the saddlecloth of 10.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2025

Dressed in slim-fit pants and a waistcoat, Bairwa sat on a horse fitted with a red saddlecloth and neon pompoms to mark the occasion.

From Washington Post • Feb. 21, 2022

He says, “They are friends cut from the same saddlecloth; honest, clean trainers with horsemanship experience spread across the spectrum of racing.”

From New York Times • May 20, 2011

Racing For Change has been accused of footering around with initiatives like larger saddlecloth numbers which, while welcome, are unlikely to make much of an impact.

From The Guardian • Dec. 10, 2010

Lifting up the horse’s saddlecloth, she pinned the medal to it.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand