In horseracing, timefigures and handicap ratings are two different methods used to evaluate the performance of racehorses, particularly in the UK and Ireland. The main differences between them are:

1. Timefigures are based on the actual time it took a horse to complete a race, while handicap ratings are a numerical value assigned to each horse by a handicapper based on its past race performances, weight carried, and other factors.

2. Timefigures are often used to compare horses’ performances across different races and distances, while handicap ratings are used to determine the weights each horse will carry in a handicap race.

3. Timefigures are more objective than handicap ratings, as they are based on actual race times, while handicap ratings are more subjective, as they are based on the opinion of the handicapper.

4. Timefigures are used more commonly in the US, while handicap ratings are used more commonly in the UK and Ireland.

Overall, while both timefigures and handicap ratings are useful tools for evaluating horse racing performance, they differ in their approach and purpose.