Learn the Different Types of Horse Races
September 2, 2008
Get on the fast track to American Quarter Horse Racing.
Race conditions dictate the type of horse that can run in a particular race. Common race types include:
- Maiden: A horse of any sex that has never won a race.
- Claiming: The blue-collar level of racing. All the horses in a claiming race are for sale, and licensed people can purchase them through the racing office.
- Handicap: Horses are given different weights to carry based on ability. A horse that has a better race record is given a handicap (more weight) to even the playing field.
- Allowance: Traditionally for horses beyond the claiming ranks. These races give specific criteria the horse must meet to be able to race, such as “3-year-olds and upward, which have never won two races.”
- Stakes: A race for the best of the best. These high-prestige races have large purses attached to them.
- Futurity: A stakes race for 2-year-olds only.
- Derby: A stakes race for 3-year-olds only.
Get more behind-the-scenes information about Quarter Horse racing with AQHA’s “Racing Officials -Their Duties and Responsibilities“ DVD. Available only through Quarter Horse Outfitters, this DVD details the activities of racing officials during the course of a race day at the Downs of Santa Fe.
Do the Same Horses Run in Every Race?
Each race has different horses competing. Racehorses usually get two weeks of rest between each race. Rarely will a horse race again after only a week of rest. Between races, horses will rest and train in the mornings to prepare for upcoming races. Generally speaking, claiming-level horses will run more often than higher-quality allowance or stakes-level horses.
Learn more! AQHA’s “Racing Officials – Their Duties and Responsibilities“ DVD is an excellent educational tool for racing fans. Purchase your copy today.
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6 Comments on “Learn the Different Types of Horse Races”
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September 7th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Handicap: Horses are given different weights to carry based on ability. A horse that has a better race record is given a handicap (more weight) to even the playing field.
The horse is ‘given different weights to carry’ – Does this mean they are given weights like 4 or 6 pounds of lead on the saddle?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:58 am
If you have a quarter horse that you believe has special speed ability and have never been in racing circles, how do you go about finding someone to test your horse’s ability for racing?
September 10th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Thanks, finally a easy explanation on all the different types of races. Been looking for this for a long time.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I have a TB stallion and bred a couple tb mares for racehorse foals. I have been breeding to aqha mares for 3 years most of the foals being sold for barrels. I f i wanted to get into quarter horse racing do my foals have to be pure qh or can I have TB parentage, example, qh mare bred to tb stallion?
August 4th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
[...] American horse racing, we have a two-pathway class structure, claiming or allowance. Claiming races are races in which all runners competing are for sale, and allowance races are [...]
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:24 pm
I have several QHs, one in particular with easy jet in his pedigree. He is going to be 2 yrs old end of May and is still a stud. Is there someone out there who would be interested in taking him to race? He’s not for sale just yet, but will be for the right price down the road. He is fast and I believe he could win and win big. Thanks.