If you don’t want your horse to be claimed, what type of races do you focus on? Is there such a thing as lower level races that are non-claiming?
Unfortunately in this country there are not a lot of choices. It’s a form of “handicapping” without the use of weight. Some countries write races by “classification” based on their past performance in “open” company.
Can be a bit subjective and “manipulated” by the horse’s connections. They also offer “selling racing”. After the race is run the horses are offered “auction” style with a minimum “bid”.
What is offered are Starter Allowance. Generally for horses that have run for a tag. “Open to horses that have run/started for X claiming price, non-winners of X” etc. The condition book has a lot of tricky wording in it. Starter Allowance are not open to better horses that run in “open allowance” company and can’t be entered until they run in a claiming event.
Trainers rarely want to keep horses for owners who won’t let them run in races that the suit the horse’s ability. But they don’t always get it right and it is really annoying when a horse gets claimed and goes up the ladder. Ask me how I know. But most of the time they know what they are holding/training.
IMO and experience the biggest risks/money losers are maidens. Especially for owners who breed/buy youngsters. They have a LOT of money tied up long before they get into the gate. If they have to start in low level claiming and show any form in their first couple of starts without winning there is a very good chance they will get claimed. The new connections have a faction of expense into the horse and get the gravy.
If our horses don’t show “allowance form” with their training and works and look like they will be competitive opening in MSW (maiden special weight) or high level claiming. I suck up the expenses already incurred and bring them home. It’s all about money management. My partners are not always happen, at least the ones that don’t know better. Nor clients I manage horses for. But in the long run I have saved myself and others a lot of money.
gumtree is, of course, correct that there aren’t many other opportunities in the U.S. besides claiming races for horses that are not competitive at the allowance level.
But to speak to the section of his post that I quoted above: trainers usually do know what they’re holding, but these days many trainers care more about their stats and their win percentages than they do about being fair to their owners. Beware the trainer who is adamant that your allowance-placing horse needs to drop into the claiming ranks “to earn his keep” only to get the win but then subsequently watch the horse’s new owners bump him right back up and continue to earn good money. Ask me how I know. 
Gumtree and LaurieB of course have covered it all.
But I think it’s worth noting that conditions can greatly vary from circuit to circuit.
Claiming races at top tracks like Santa Anita or Belmont have larger purses than even allowance races at the poorer and less prestigious tracks in other locations. As a result, they are usually filled with higher quality and more competitive horses than even the best of horses you find at the “cheaper” tracks. For example, yesterday at Portland Meadows, they had 3 stakes races on the card, each of them with a $9,400 purse. If you go down the coast to Los Alamitos in California, the cheapest claiming race on the card has a purse of $14,000. More money = more competition = better horses.
If you don’t want to risk losing a horse that belongs in claiming races at his current location and have some flexibility, you may be able to move him to a circuit where he will be competitive in allowance company.
Of course, there’s many reasons an owner wouldn’t want to do that: trainer selection, proximity to home, animal welfare, etc. There is good and bad everywhere, but the less affluent tracks tend to attract a different type of horseman and can’t always afford the same standard of care.
[QUOTE=LaurieB;8423755]
gumtree is, of course, correct that there aren’t many other opportunities in the U.S. besides claiming races for horses that are not competitive at the allowance level.
But to speak to the section of his post that I quoted above: trainers usually do know what they’re holding, but these days many trainers care more about their stats and their win percentages than they do about being fair to their owners. Beware the trainer who is adamant that your allowance-placing horse needs to drop into the claiming ranks “to earn his keep” only to get the win but then subsequently watch the horse’s new owners bump him right back up and continue to earn good money. Ask me how I know. :([/QUOTE]
LOL, yup, I was being kind and trying my hardest not to write a book like I have a tendency to do.
Thanks for chiming in. Misery likes company.
We just lost a decent 2 y.o. to a claim last week. He had 3 seconds in four starts this season, at Woodbine, always being beaten by more or less than a neck. Trainer had heard rumours that he would be getting claimed, so we were not surprised. Was a $25,000 tag, and winnings of $8,140, so although we were sad to see him go, we are good for the winter lay off. 
You have to run your horses where you think they can succeed, and if that is the claiming ranks, then so be it. He’ll probably come back next year, and end up running in Ontario Sired Allowances. :rolleyes:
This is all wonderful advice. As a brand new owner, I have so much to learn. I’ve only had OTTBs, never one that actually raced. Which brings me to my main concern: I want to retire this guy at my farm. I suppose that even if he gets claimed, I can follow him and make sure whoever owns him knows I would like to retire him when he’d done racing. It’s hard to imagine they wouldnt be happy to have that offer.
Naive Reply
Why not go ahead and retire him now while he’s young and before he gets claimed out from under you or injured beyond recovery? I would rather invest money in a great OTTB than throw it away on a racehorse who could break down any time.
RPM, because I actually love racing and support the industry. It has problems, but good people need to be involved. I am one of those. He will get the best of everything and have the great retirement he deserves.
[QUOTE=RPM;8424828]
Why not go ahead and retire him now while he’s young and before he gets claimed out from under you or injured beyond recovery? I would rather invest money in a great OTTB than throw it away on a racehorse who could break down any time.[/QUOTE]
Most don’t break down at any time.
Luckily there are people who like to race otherwise there would be no OTTBs. Then retire them for their own personal use.
Most people that buy OTTBs only want or can give a few dollars for one. But there are people who have the financial means who like to do both, race and then retire for their own use. So they take a chance and buy one for $5-10,000+ that is racing fit and ready to roll. Win lose or draw. Have some fun racing and then enjoy the horse after retirement. Its a win-win for both.
There are other ways to look at these things.
OP, your reaction to claiming races is classic among first time race owners. But likely, in time, and with experience, you will get over it. Keep in mind that the owners of the horses that you are running against do not (usually) have this handicap. They will “jam” their horses, “jam them and win”. They will want to run against horses that are poorer quality than the one they are entering, making it more likely that their horse will see success. There is nothing better for a horse’s self esteem than to feel what it is like to WIN. If they “blow the horse” (lose it to a claim), they go and buy another one to replace it. This makes it very difficult for an owner like you to have success. Since you NEED to have the success that is due to you and your horse, when it is due, you must also be brave with participating in claiming races with your horse, if that is where he needs to be to be competitive. Yes, you will be nervous. But, with a talented and wise trainer, who is “on your side”, it is most likely that your horse is only “special” to you, not to someone who does not have the attachment that you have to him. And yes, you can often either claim him, or buy him, back in time, should a claim happen. Racing teaches you to place a true value on your horse. Not an emotional value, a REAL monetary value. This is not a bad thing, to think in terms of true value. The value of racehorses tends to vary, sometimes wildly. At the end of their racing career, it tends to often be low. Then, can vastly increase again with a different career and different training. Start by assigning a value to the horse that somewhat reflects the $ you have already invested in him, influenced by what he shows you in training. If he shows you a lot, there is no problem in starting in him maiden allowance company, and see how he fairs there. Then act accordingly afterwards with choosing future races for him.
Good luck with your racing experience! It is a life of extreme highs, and bottomless lows and loss. Risk and reward. Don’t think that you are exempt from either of these emotions or experiences. The risks are as unavoidable as the rewards are sought after.
PS. I am one who thinks they should have claiming classes in horse shows. “Working Hunter, claiming $10,000”.
Can I ask question about claiming races? Can any horse running in a claiming race be claimed or is it just the winner?
I’m thinking all can be?
Thanks.
Can I ask question about claiming races? Can any horse running in a claiming race be claimed or is it just the winner?
I’m thinking all can be?
Thanks.
[QUOTE=cayuse;8425532]
Can I ask question about claiming races? Can any horse running in a claiming race be claimed or is it just the winner?
I’m thinking all can be?
Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Unless it’s an “Allowance Optional Claiming” race, then all horses are in for a a tag and can be claimed.
The claim has to be made before the race, so it doesn’t matter who wins. In most jurisdictions, unless there are some exceptional circumstances (usually to do with injuries/vetting), if you claimed a horse, you own him when the starting gate opens.
Good to know, thanks for the answer!
Just want to second NancyM here!
New racehorse owners tend to be very wary of losing the horse. OP, I’m not sure what your chosen discipline with your OTTBs is at home, but I firmly believe that running an honest, trying horse in over his head to “protect” him from the claim is something to avoid at all cost.
I tend to compare it to consistently overfacing a jumper or eventer. Even the best-natured horse will eventually give up if he can’t do the job. Your horse won’t know if he’s a nickel-claimer at Chuck Town or good for a little ungraded stakes at Pimlico, but he will know that he’s bone-tired and never saw daylight in front of him. We can train them to stop at the fences and we can train them to stop on the track – a horse’s confidence is important.
And yeah, good trainers are worried about their percentage. They want to win races and horses need to run in the right company to do that.
I’ve seen some high profile owners putting stickers with their contact info on the horse’s JC papers. Graham and Anita Motion come to mind. Offering to take the runner back at any time, no questions asked, is a beautiful, generous thing to do for any kind of horse.
Well, the OP’s horse made his first start for her at Laurel yesterday. Went off I believe at around 22-1.
WON by 3 1/2!!!
I was so excited for her. I couldn’t wait for her to update this thread
First racehorse owned and wins in its first start. Not always a good thing because it sets the expectation bar much higher for newbies. But considering a lot of horses never win a race. You definitely take it when you get it. It may never happen again.
Winning is always exhilarating. But winning the first time is out of this world. I remember mine as an owner like it was yesterday. Even though it was more than 30 years ago.
It did not get claimed.
[QUOTE=gumtree;8486827]
Well, the OP’s horse made his first start for her at Laurel yesterday. Went off I believe at around 22-1.
WON by 3 1/2!!!
I was so excited for her. I couldn’t wait for her to update this thread
First racehorse owned and wins in its first start. Not always a good thing because it sets the expectation bar much higher for newbies. But considering a lot of horses never win a race. You definitely take it when you get it. It may never happen again.
Winning is always exhilarating. But winning the first time is out of this world. I remember mine as an owner like it was yesterday. Even though it was more than 30 years ago.
It did not get claimed.[/QUOTE]
Gumtree, thank you for the update! That’s exciting! Do you have a link to the chart? (Never mind, I found it.)
OP, congratulations on your win! May it be the first of many. 
Congratulations!
