Claiming races may not get the recognition that top Grade races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Champion Hurdle earn, but they remain an integral part of horse racing betting.
They are the lowest run of the horse racing hierarchy, with many untested and unwanted horses competing against in other in low-key events. And while the average punter might not even realise a claiming race is taking place, for those involved in buying and selling horses it’s a vital revenue stream in the industry.
So what exactly is a claiming race? Well, Paddy Power is on hand to explain everything you need to know about claiming races, and why they’re great to bet on!
HOW A CLAIMING RACE WORKS
A claiming race works generally the same across all racing territories but is most popular in the United States. All horses entered into a claiming race can be ‘claimed’ by a buyer before the race begins.
This gives owners the chance to offload horses they may not want, or for buyers to snap up a potentially lucrative runner for future events.
Each claiming race has a set fee for all competing horses, which rises and falls depending on how much weight the owner decides to take off. So, if there is a £10,000 fee for horses in a claiming race at Uttoxeter and a maximum weight of 10 stone, every pound the owner takes off – and thus increases the chance of their horse winning – sees £1,000 knocked off its claim price.
Buyers have until around 15 minutes before a race to make a claim on a competing horse. And, once the race gets underway then the ownership transfers over.
Claiming races are popular in the UK, Ireland and USA (Image: GETTY)
WHY DO CLAIMING RACES EXIST?
There are many reasons why claiming races were created and why they remain popular, even if the standard is low. The primary reason is that it gives horse racing a trading market that injects liquidity into the sport. It also draws attention to particular horses, who may have a raft of bids placed on them before the race begins.
For the average punter claiming race are great because the standard is generally accepted to be level. This means even outsiders could cause a shock against the odds and claim a victory.
US CLAIMING RACE BETTING
The United States trades hundreds of horses each year through claiming races and you’re likely to see them at regular race meetings across the country.
The likes of Churchill Downs, Oaklawn and Fairgrounds often see annual trade totals via claiming races push into millions of dollars! It’s big business for owners and also for punters, as there are often indications of what to expect from horses when you check out the weights.
If an owner has dramatically dropped the weight of their horse then it’s clear they want to sell. This might suggest the horse is considered past its best, or doesn’t have the potential for greater things.
So, horses that retain their full weight and have a strong recent form are the ones racing betting fans often look out for.
Now you know all you need to know about claiming races, why not check out our other racing guides in our Demystifying Racing series here!
DEMYSTIFYING RACING
- What does it mean when a horse is On the Bridle?
- What is a Black type horse race?
- What are the different types of going in horse racing?
- What is a bumper horse race?
- What are blinkers and why do some horses wear them?
- What is an Allowance Race in horse racing?
- What is the difference between hurdles and fences in National Hunt racing?
- What is a halter and why do some horses wear them?
- What does it mean when a horse has spread a plate?
- What is the Rule 4 betting rule in horse racing?
- What is the difference between graded, handicap and selling horse races?
- What does a novice hurdle in horse racing mean?
- What is a listed horse race?
- What does a novice chase in horse racing mean?
- Why do race horses have different ratings and what do they mean?
- When does the National Hunt season start and when does it end?
- Why are there different grades of horse race?
- Why are there 3 different types of National Hunt race?
- Why are race horses given different weights and what does it mean?
- How many different classes of horse race are there?
- What is an optional claimer in horse racing?
- What is a shadow roll and why do some race horses wear them?
- Why do some races start from stalls and some not?
- What is the difference between Derby and Oaks races?
- What does it mean when a horse knuckles during a horse race?
- What is a stayer in horse racing?
- What is a yearling horse and when are they ready to race?
- What does it mean if a horse has won a point race?
- What does a maiden mean in horse racing?
- How are horses’ ages calculated and why is it not the same as humans?
- What advantages do apprentice jockeys get when riding against professionals?
- What is a conditional jockey?
- What does the term ‘connections’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear cheekpieces?
- Who are the stewards in horse racing?
- What does ‘weighed in’ mean at the end of a horse race?
- What is a nursery race?
- Why are some National Hunt races run without fences?
- Why are some horses given a tongue tie during races?
- What does it mean when a horse is ‘pushed out’?
- How are horse racing ratings calculated?
- What does it mean when a horse has a ‘wind operation’?
- How high are the fences and hurdles in horse racing?
- What is an apprentice jockey?
- What is a Bull Ring in horse racing?
- What does the phrase ‘Look of Eagles’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear a ‘weight cloth’ during races?
- What is the Triple Crown in horse racing?
- What is a Steeplechase race in horse racing?
- How high are the Cheltenham Festival fences and hurdles?
- Why is the Champion Chase named after the Queen Mother?
- Why does Cheltenham racecourse have an Old Course and a New Course? What’s the differences between the two?
- What is the Cheltenham roar? What difference does it make in races?
- Why are there no jumps in the Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper?
- How many fans usually attend the Cheltenham Festival? How big is the capacity?
- What is a juvenile in horse racing?
