horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...

a maiden race is an event for horses that have not won a race. Horses that have not won a race are referred to as maidens. Maiden horse races are held over a variety of distances and under conditions with eligibility based on the sex or age of the horse. Races may be handicaps, set weights, or weight for age. In many countries, maiden races are the lowest level of class and represent an entry point into a racing career. In countries such as the United States, maiden special weight races rank above

claiming race In Thoroughbred racing, a claiming race is a type of horse race in which the horses are all for sale at a specified claiming price until shortly before the race. In the hierarchy of horse races, based on the quality of the horses that compete, claim ...

s, while maiden claiming races allow the horse to be claimed (bought) by another owner.

Eligibility

Generally, horses have to be maidens (non-winners) at the time of the race. In regions where jumping races take place, flat racing and jumps racing are sometimes treated as two distinct forms of racing and winning in one category does not preclude a horse entering a maiden in the other. For example, a horse can win multiple jumps races and still be eligible to enter maiden flat races if they have not won a race on the flat. Likewise, flat race winners are eligible to enter hurdle or steeple maidens if they have not won the relevant type of jumps race.

Famous maiden horses

Numerous famous horses have commenced racing in maiden events before graduation through the classes of racing. Most horses either win their maiden or are retired from racing if they are unable to do so. Some horses though have lengthy careers as maidens and become famous for their lack of success.

Zippy Chippy Zippy Chippy (April 20, 1991 – April 2022) was a thoroughbred race horse, a bay gelding, who is notable for being winless in 100 races. Zippy Chippy's pedigree includes many famous horses, such as Ben Brush, Buckpasser, Busanda, Bold Ruler, C ...

is among the most famous maidens of all time, having 100 starts without winning, although placing 30 times and earning over $30,000 in prize money. In Australia, Vote For Lust won a competition run by

betting exchange A betting exchange is a marketplace for customers to bet on the outcome of discrete events. Betting exchanges offer the same opportunities to bet as a bookmaker with a few differences. Gamblers can buy (also known as "back") and sell (also known ...

Betfair Betfair is a British Gambling, gambling company which operates the world's largest online betting exchange. Its product offering also includes sports betting, online casino, online poker, and online bingo. Founded in 2000, the business is split ...

to find the country's worst racehorse, resulting in Betfair sponsoring the nine-year-old. As of 17 May 2012, Vote For Lust had raced 86 times without winning (placing 10 times and earning over $20,000 in prize money), but, as a result of the publicity generated from his accolade,

Melbourne Cup The Melbourne Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and over, conducted by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria as part of the Melb ...

winning jockey

Glen Boss Glen Boss (born 21 August 1969 in Caboolture) is an Australian jockey, who is best known for riding Makybe Diva to victory in three consecutive Melbourne Cups: 2003, 2004, and 2005. He has also been successful in four Cox Plates: Makybe Diva i ...

agreed to ride the horse in its 87th start. Vote For Lust retired as a maiden with 90 starts. Other horses with long losing streaks include Dance Saber (0 wins for 229 starts, Japan), Meine Attrice (0 wins for 192 starts, Japan), Speed Over (0 for 189, Japan), Kammuri Holder (0 for 179, Japan), Osan Tsuyoshi (0 for 164, Japan), Hakuho Queen (0 for 161, Japan), Dona Chepa (0 for 135, Puerto Rico), Ouroene (0 for 124),

Haru Urara is a Japanese racehorse. The horse gained nationwide popularity in 2003, not due to her success, but rather, due to a long string of consecutive losses. Background Haru Urara, a bay mare, was foaled on February 27, 1996, on Nobuta Bokujo, Ut ...

(0 for 113, Japan), Thrust (0 for 105, North America) and

Quixall Crossett Quixall Crossett (5 April 1985 – 2006) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Competing in minor National Hunt events he failed to demonstrate the slightest trace of any racing ability in 103 starts. His chronic lack of success saw him acqu ...

(0 for 103, Britain).

References

{{reflist Horse racing