The History and Global Landscape of Claiming Races in Horse Racing

By: Cady Coulardot

The History and Global Landscape of Claiming Races in Horse Racing

Claiming races play a major role in North American horse racing today, making up about 70% of all races. In these events, every horse entered can be purchased, or “claimed,” for a predetermined price. While claiming races are now most common in the US, their origins go back to England, where the concept first began.

Origins in England

According to The Almanac of American Racing, the first recorded claiming race may have been held as early as 1698 in Norfolk and Suffolk, England. These early versions looked different than today’s format. Rather than every horse being available for a fixed price before the race, only certain finishers could be purchased after the race, often through open bidding. Over time, the model evolved into a more structured system where every horse entered is available for a designated price before post time, which forms the basis of modern claiming races.

How Claiming Races Work Today (North America)

Claiming races operate on a risk-reward principle. Each horse in the race is effectively "for sale" at a pre-set claiming price, determined by the owner and trainer. If a licensed individual submits a claim before the race begins, the horse becomes theirs regardless of performance.

There are several layers within claiming races:

• Maiden Claiming Races: For horses that have never won a race but are eligible to be claimed for a fixed price.

• Conditioned Claimers: Require horses to meet specific criteria, such as “non-winners of two lifetime” (N2L) or “non-winners of three” (N3L).

• Open Claimers: Once a horse has outgrown the conditioned levels (typically up to N4L), it enters open company, where no performance restrictions apply.

When a horse runs in a claiming race, it’s often referred to as being “in for a tag”–– as in the claiming price tag. Trainers must be strategic. Running a horse for a lower tag may provide an easier field and a better chance to win, but it increases the risk of losing the horse to a claim. This system discourages dominance from a particular horse, helping maintain a balanced ability level among a field of horses.

How the US System Differs Globally

While claiming races dominate North American racing, they play a much smaller, if not nonexistent, role in other major racing jurisdictions.

Europe

France hosts a moderate number of claiming races, but the format differs. Claims are submitted via sealed bids after the race, often for the top three finishers. The highest bid wins, and owners can submit a bid to retain their horse if they wish to avoid losing them.

Ireland runs only about a dozen claiming races annually. The UK has a limited claiming structure, but far more emphasis is placed on handicap races, where weights are adjusted based on a horse’s past performance to equalize the field.

Australia

Australia does not conduct claiming races in the same way. Horses are classified by benchmark ratings, and race conditions focus more on class and recent form. Horse trades mostly occur through public auctions or digital sales platforms, not through in-race claims. 

Hong Kong and the Middle East

Hong Kong does not permit claiming races at all. With a tightly regulated, centrally managed roster of horses, ownership changes typically occur through private arrangements and are closely overseen by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) also avoids claiming races entirely. Their racing circuits focus on elite competition and prestigious invitationals. Horses are acquired through major international sales or private deals, often from the US or Europe.

Emotional Impact of Claiming Races

For some trainers––especially those early in their careers—the quality of their horses may limit them to lower-level claiming races. As a result, you typically won’t see these trainers competing in allowance or stakes company. Claiming can also serve as a way to generate income and help sustain a stable’s operations.

For example, if a horse wins a $37,000 purse while entered for a $20,000 claiming tag and gets claimed, the total earnings from that race would amount to approximately $40,912, factoring in the distribution of the purse and the claiming price. However, that figure doesn’t include taxes, which vary by state and further impact the trainer's net earnings.

Some trainers aim for this exact scenario: win the race and sell the horse via the claim, essentially doubling their return. Others, however, become emotionally attached to their horses and hesitate to risk losing them for a tag. It’s an emotional and financial dynamic.

Claiming horses can be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Success stories do happen, especially when a trainer is able to claim a horse and improve it enough to move up in class. One of the most notable examples is Rich Strike, who was claimed for $30,000 and went on to shock the world by winning the 2022 Kentucky Derby at odds of 80-1. Stories like this remind us that claiming horses isn’t just a business strategy—it can also be a stepping stone to greatness.

Conclusion

Claiming races are a foundational part of North American horse racing, offering an entry point for owners, trainers, and horses to compete at various levels. While their origins date back to England, the structure we see today, where every horse in the race can be purchased for a set price, has become uniquely embedded in the culture of US racing.

Understanding claiming races helps explain the broader economics and strategy of the sport. They encourage competition, create opportunities for newcomers, and support a dynamic ecosystem where success isn’t limited to the biggest names or budgets.

Globally, claiming races are approached very differently or not used at all, which highlights how distinct the American model is in providing accessible pathways into the industry.

If you're curious about how horse racing works behind the scenes or are exploring a future career in the sport, claiming races offer valuable insight into how horses move through different levels of competition and ownership.

To learn more about the many other layers of the Thoroughbred industry, visit our LEARN page!