Every Horse in a Claiming Race Is for Sale. Here’s How It Actually Works

Last updated: June 4, 2026

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

A claiming race is a horse race where every horse on the program is offered for sale at a fixed price — the “claiming price” — printed in the race program. Before the gate opens, any licensed owner who has deposited funds and has a trainer ready can submit a claim slip to buy any horse in the field at that price. If the race goes official and your claim was drawn in a shake, you own that horse. What the horse does in the race — wins, loses, gets injured — does not change the transaction. You buy before the result, not after.

Why Claiming Races Exist

Tracks use claiming races because they solve a competitive balance problem that no other race format addresses as cleanly. Without claiming races, trainers could enter elite horses at lower levels to collect easy purse money — a dominant horse could sweep claiming-level fields indefinitely while earning far more than its competition. The claiming price creates a natural deterrent: enter a good horse too cheaply and you will lose it to a buyer. That self-regulating mechanism is what keeps claiming fields competitive.

Why Would an Owner Risk Losing Their Horse?

The most common question from people encountering claiming races for the first time: why would an owner voluntarily put their horse in a race where someone can take it away for a fixed price? The answer reveals a lot about how professional racing operations actually work.

I’ve been standing at the claiming box for 30 years. I’ve claimed horses that turned into reliable earners and others I regretted the moment they stepped off the trailer. What separates those two outcomes almost always comes down to preparation — not luck. This guide covers the full claiming process under current HISA regulations, the economics of ownership at each level, the red flags that should stop you cold, and the costly lessons I’ve learned across hundreds of races at Louisiana tracks and beyond.

This guide is written for owners who are actively claiming horses or seriously considering their first claim. If you are a bettor trying to understand how claiming races affect the competitive dynamics of a field, the sections on red flags, price trajectories, and trainer patterns apply directly to how you evaluate entries.

Define Your Goals Before You Claim

Before you submit a claim slip, you need to know what you are trying to accomplish. The right claiming price and target horse look completely different depending on whether you are trying to race, breed, or flip a horse within 90 days. Confusing those goals is one of the most common reasons first-time claimers lose money.

Claiming goal framework — define this before looking at any specific horse

Primary Goal	Ideal Price Range	What to Prioritize
Racing (Earn Now)	$10,000–$25,000	Consistency, current speed figures, race frequency, trainer communication style
Breeding (Future Value)	$5,000–$15,000	Dam pedigree, age, physical soundness, state-bred status
Flip (90-Day ROI)	$8,000–$20,000	Class drop with trainer upgrade potential, condition book fit

How Claiming Races Work: The 7-Step Process

Here is the exact claiming process under current HISA regulations, effective nationwide as of January 2025.

The complete claiming process from entry to ownership transfer — approximately two hours from claim filed to horse in your possession

Step	Action	Key Detail
1	Trainer enters horse at claiming price	Price range: $4,000–$100,000+; purse typically runs 80–120% of claiming price
2	Claim slip filed — 15 minutes before post	Absolute deadline under HISA Rule 2262; verify locally with racing secretary
3	Race runs — original owner keeps purse	100% of purse goes to original owner even if horse wins
4	Shake if multiple claims	Random draw; losing claimants refunded immediately in full
5	Ownership transfers at race official	Instantaneous; payment due within 48 hours
6	Veterinary records transfer to new owner	Request these immediately — what is in the file tells you what you bought
7	Claim restrictions apply	30-day private resale ban; 25–35 day re-entry ban at lower price (state-dependent)

The trainer identifies a claiming race that matches the horse’s competitive level. Claiming prices range from $4,000 at bottom-tier regional tracks to $100,000 or more at elite optional claimers at major venues. Purse levels typically run 80–120% of the claiming price. Understanding how purse money flows to the owner after trainer and jockey percentages is covered in our guide to horse racing purse money.

Step 2 — Pre-Race Claim Filing (15-Minute Deadline)

All claim slips must be submitted to the racing secretary at least 15 minutes before post time under HISA Rule 2262 — confirm the exact deadline with the racing secretary at each track you claim at, as some jurisdictions maintain slightly different local requirements on top of the federal standard. Requirements: a valid owner’s license in that jurisdiction, a designated trainer with stall space, a completed claim slip with the horse’s name, program number, and claiming price, and a full deposit or proof of funds. Late claims are typically rejected with no recourse — confirm the procedure with the racing secretary at each track before you claim there.

Step 3 — The Race Runs (Original Owner Keeps the Purse)

The horse competes under the original owner’s colors. If the horse wins, places, or shows, 100% of the purse money goes to the original owner — not the claiming buyer. You are buying future racing potential, not today’s earnings.

Step 4 — The Shake (Multiple Claims)

When two or more people claim the same horse, officials conduct a shake — a randomized drawing using numbered pills, dice, or electronic randomizers. At major tracks, popular horses in the $15,000–$35,000 range draw multiple claims a meaningful portion of the time. The winner gets the horse; everyone else receives an immediate full refund to their horseman’s account.

Step 5 — Ownership Transfer (Instant)

The moment the race is declared official, ownership transfers to the new owner. The horse goes directly to the new trainer’s barn, or to the test barn if selected for regulatory sampling. Most jurisdictions require claiming price payment within 48 hours. For a complete look at what happens after the claim clears, see our post-claim management guide.

Step 6 — Veterinary Records Transfer

When a horse is successfully claimed, the previous trainer must transfer trainer records — including medical, therapeutic, and surgical treatments and procedures — to the new conditioner within three days. That file tells you a lot about what you just bought, so I always want it as soon as I can get it. Unusual medication patterns, frequent vet visits, or gaps in the training history all warrant direct follow-up questions.

Step 7 — Restrictions Kick In

After a claim, resale and re-entry restrictions may apply, but the exact rules vary by jurisdiction. I always confirm the private-sale and lower-price re-entry limits with the racing secretary before I claim a horse — those rules change, and the state-by-state table in the HISA section is a general guide only, not a guarantee of what applies at your track.

The Paper Napkin Math: Calculating Your Breakeven

Before you drop a claim slip, use this formula to understand how often the horse needs to finish in the money just to pay its own bills. Most first-time claimers skip this calculation entirely — and it is usually why they are surprised at the end of the year.

The formula: (Monthly Expenses × 12) ÷ Average Owner Net Per Start = Starts Needed to Break Even

All-in cost components — calculate before every claim. Monthly expenses based on current Louisiana circuit day rates

Expense Item	Typical Cost	Notes
Claim Price	Set by race conditions	The sticker price in the program — not the all-in cost
State Sales Tax	0%–10%	Varies by state: 0% in CA, 5.5% in LA, 10% in NY
Secretary Fee	~2%	Standard administrative fee charged at most tracks
First Month Training	$3,200–$4,500	Includes day rate, feed, routine vet — no income yet

Breakeven analysis by claiming level — assumes $3,500/month in operating expenses. Louisiana winner’s share is typically 60%; subtract 10% trainer and 10% jockey to get owner net

Claiming Level	Purse to Winner	Owner Net Per Win	Annual Cost	Wins to Break Even	Reality Check
$5,000 Claimer	~$8,000 × 60% = $4,800	~$3,840	$42,000+	11+ wins	Essentially impossible — horses at this level rarely stay sound long enough
$10,000 Claimer	~$12,000 × 60% = $7,200	~$5,760	$42,000+	7.3 wins	Difficult — requires a very consistent horse at its level
$20,000 Claimer	~$20,000 × 60% = $12,000	~$9,600	$44,000+	4.6 wins	Achievable — a horse winning 2x and placing 2–3x can approach breakeven
Note: These figures assume the horse races 6–8 times per year and stays sound throughout. A single layup month adds ~$3,500 in costs with no offsetting income. See our full ownership cost breakdown for detailed line-item figures.

HISA Void Rules: Your Claiming Protection

Under certain conditions, your claim is automatically voided — your money is returned and the original owner keeps the horse. Think of HISA Rule 2262 as a limited but important protection. The full regulatory text is available on the Federal Register and summarized in Blood-Horse’s HISA claiming rules overview. Know exactly when it applies and how it works.

Automatic Void Scenarios

A claim is automatically voided if the horse dies, is euthanized, is vanned off the racetrack, bleeds, or later tests positive for a prohibited substance. In those situations, the void happens by rule and the claimant does not have to chase anyone down to make it happen.

The One-Hour Window You Cannot Miss

Claimed horses go to the test barn for regulatory-veterinarian observation, and the claim is voided if the horse is determined within one hour to have bled, be physically distressed, medically compromised, unsound, or lame. That window is the claimant’s best protection against taking home a horse that should not have been in that field in the first place.

If the horse later tests positive for a prohibited substance, the claimant may be notified and given 48 hours to decide whether to void the claim. That is a separate protection from the one-hour rule, and it can matter just as much if a drug issue shows up after the race is over.

HISA also allows an opt-out claiming option in certain circumstances, which can waive the void protections that would otherwise apply. Because the exact language can vary, always confirm the claim slip wording with the racing secretary before you sign anything.

State-by-state claiming rules — general guidance only. Confirm current figures with the local racing secretary before claiming in any jurisdiction, as rules change and track-specific variations apply

State	Sales Tax on Claim	Re-Entry Ban (Lower Price)	Layoff Exemption
California	0%	25 days	180+ days off
New York	10%	35 days	45+ days off
Florida	6%	30 days	None
Kentucky	7%	30 days	60+ days off
Louisiana	5.5%	30 days	None

Real Claiming Examples: My Horses

These are verified claims from my barn — not hypothetical scenarios built to illustrate a point.

Diamond Country — $5,000 Claim, Consistent Earner

Claimed for $5,000 at Evangeline Downs — a filly by Country Day out of Diamond Cutter, a dam who won over $350,000. She had been inconsistent in her performances, but her workout patterns were solid and her breeding was better than the tag suggested. At $5,000, the risk-reward was attractive even if she only became a reliable mid-claiming runner.

She broke her maiden at Fair Grounds, then posted four consecutive second-place finishes. She earned back the claim price plus training expenses through consistent placings and remains actively racing in my barn. The lesson: lower-priced claims can deliver strong ROI when you identify horses with untapped potential whose price does not reflect their breeding or work pattern. Four straight seconds is not glamorous — it is exactly what you want from a $5,000 claim. View Diamond Country’s Equibase profile.

Half Way There — 2026 Claim

Claimed in early 2026 — a four-year-old gelding by Half Ours who ran a game third on the day I dropped the slip. In his next start we stepped him up to an allowance race, where he finished fourth and earned $3,300 — covering a meaningful portion of the claiming price in a single start. That is the math that makes claiming work: evaluate the horse honestly, find the right spot, and let the horse show you what he is. View Half Way There’s Equibase profile.

7 Costly Claiming Mistakes I’ve Made

After dozens of claims over my career, I have learned more from my failures than my successes. Most new claimers lose money on their first horse — not because claiming is a bad strategy, but because they make predictable, avoidable mistakes. These are mine, with the real dollar losses attached.

Mistake 1 — Claiming Based on Pedigree Alone ($12,000 Loss)

“Noble Cause” — half-brother to a Grade 2 winner, claimed for $16,000. Beautiful breeding papers masked severe chronic knee issues. He never raced again and sold for $4,000 to a pleasure home after six months of veterinary attempts to get him sound. The lesson: pedigree indicates potential, but current soundness determines value. If I had requested the one-hour post-race regulatory vet exam, the issue would have been identified immediately and the claim voided.

Mistake 2 — Ignoring the Trainer’s Reputation ($8,500 Loss)

“Fast Fortune” — claimed for $10,000 from a trainer with a high claim-to-bench rate. The horse had undisclosed respiratory issues masked by pre-race treatments. He failed three subsequent starts and was eventually diagnosed with chronic inflammatory airway disease. The lesson: research Equibase trainer statistics before claiming. Trainers with unusually high claim-to-bench rates are consistently a warning sign. I maintain a permanent “do not claim from” list and I have never broken it.

Mistake 3 — Claiming Without a Post-Race Plan ($6,000 Loss)

“Midnight Raider” — claimed for $12,000 with no immediate racing opportunities identified. The local track closed for the season two weeks later. Three months of training bills ($9,600) accumulated while waiting for the track to reopen. The lesson: check the Equibase condition book for the next 30–45 days before claiming. Never claim in the final month of a meet unless you have a confirmed ship-out plan with stall space secured.

Mistake 4 — Emotional Claiming ($15,000 Loss)

“Lady’s Promise” — I had watched her as a two-year-old and saw her entered for $20,000 after dropping from $40,000 in 45 days. Nostalgia clouded my judgment. I ignored what a 50% drop in 45 days actually signals. A suspensory ligament injury was diagnosed three weeks post-claim. She never raced sound again. The lesson: a rapid drop in claiming price is almost always an exit, not a bargain. The price reflects what connections want to get for the horse, not what the horse is worth to you.

Mistake 5 — Underestimating Total Ownership Costs ($11,000 Loss)

“River Dance” — claimed for $5,000, seemed like a bargain. Eight months of training ($25,600), vet bills ($4,200), and farrier costs ($960) later, she had earned back only $6,800 in purses. What looked like a $5,000 bargain turned into a $23,760 loss. The lesson: TOBA estimates true ownership at $3,200–$5,000 monthly including training day rate, vet, farrier, and incidentals. Use the breakeven formula above before every claim.

Mistake 6 — Claiming at the Wrong Track ($7,500 Loss)

“Western Star” — claimed at Lone Star Park for $15,000. The Texas claiming market was sharper than the Louisiana circuit I knew. He could not compete at the Texas $15,000 level and shipping him back was not economically viable. The lesson: claiming markets vary dramatically by region. Research circuit-specific competition levels before claiming at unfamiliar venues. Factor in shipping costs of $500–$1,500 depending on distance.

Mistake 7 — Not Understanding the HISA Vet Process ($7,000 Loss)

“Corked” — claimed for $5,000, finished the race but moved oddly walking back to the barn. I assumed minor post-race soreness and did not stay at the test barn to understand what the regulatory vet was observing. Hock issues were documented but did not meet the threshold for a vet list placement, so the claim stood. A different vet on a different day with a clearer observation might have reached a different conclusion. The lesson: be present at the test barn for every claim, watch the horse carefully, and understand that the void threshold requires the vet to place the horse on the Veterinarians’ List — minor soreness that does not reach that threshold will not void your claim regardless of what you see.

Claiming Race Types and Classes

Not all claiming races are the same. Understanding condition book codes is essential for identifying value — both as an owner evaluating where to enter your horse and as a bettor reading a field.

Optional Claiming Races

Optional claiming races (abbreviated “OC”) allow horses to enter under either claiming or allowance conditions. An “OC $40,000 N2X” race means horses can enter for $40,000 claiming and be claimable, or enter under allowance conditions and not be claimable. This format protects developing horses: an owner with an improving horse can test allowance-level competition without risking losing the horse to a claim. For a full breakdown of how each class level works and how claiming races fit into the overall competitive hierarchy, see our guide to horse racing class levels.

Claiming vs. Other Race Types

Claiming races compared to other race types — claiming is the backbone of American racing

Race Type	% of U.S. Races	Purse Range	Horse For Sale?	Notes
Claiming	54%+ (NTRA data)	$8,000–$75,000	Yes — at declared price	The backbone of American racing; where most careers are spent
Maiden	~20%	$15,000–$90,000	In maiden claiming only	Restricted to horses who have never won a race
Allowance	~15%	$35,000–$150,000	No	Condition-based eligibility; horses not for sale
Stakes	~8%	$75,000–$20M+	No	Elite level; nomination fees required; not claimable

How I Build a Claim Watch List

Most experienced claimers do not walk into a track on race day and pick a horse cold. By the time I drop a slip, I have usually been watching the horse for two or three weeks. Here is the sourcing workflow I use at Louisiana tracks — the same process that produced Diamond Country, Half Way There, and most of my better claims.

Step 1 — Condition Book Review

I review the Equibase condition book the moment it is published — typically two to three weeks before the races run. I identify every claiming race at levels I am interested in and note the distance, surface, and conditions. That gives me a target list of races before I ever look at entries.

Step 2 — Trainer Targeting

I maintain a short list of trainers on the Louisiana circuit whose horses I trust on physical condition and whose post-claim records are strong. When entries go up, I look at who they are running and at what price. A trainer I respect entering a horse at a lower level than normal gets immediate attention — that is either a form cycle spot or a deliberate class drop to find a race, and either can be a claiming opportunity.

Step 3 — Replay Watching

For any horse I am seriously considering, I watch the last two or three replays on Equibase or TVG. I am looking for trip trouble, not finishing position.

Step 4 — Hidden Form Signals

Three signals I look for that most bettors and buyers miss. First: a horse exiting a pace scenario that was suicidal for its running style — a confirmed closer that raced on the lead from outside in a speed-favoring race. The poor result is the pace, not the horse.

Second: a horse moving to a surface where its breeding is better than its record suggests. Horses with turf-oriented pedigrees that have only run on dirt sometimes produce dramatically different results on the first surface switch.

Third: a horse whose recent workouts show improved energy after a freshening. None of these appear in the chart result. All of them appear in the past performances if you know what to look for.

Red Flags: What Stops Me from Claiming

Over my career, I have developed a systematic pre-claim inspection protocol. These are the warning signs that trigger an immediate abort in my barn — these are the signals that end my evaluation regardless of price or how much I like the horse on paper. For a complete 7-step physical inspection checklist, see our dedicated guide to evaluating horses in claiming races.

Red flag decision guide — immediate action by signal type

Red Flag	Risk Level	Immediate Action
50%+ class drop within 60 days	Severe	I treat this as an automatic pass
Trainer on permanent avoid list	Severe	I treat this as an automatic pass
Paddock observation blocked	Severe	Automatic pass — walk away immediately
No suitable race in next 45 days	High	Recalculate ROI with extended carrying costs before proceeding
Two or more works in 14 days (unusual pattern)	Moderate	Flag for closer vet scrutiny in test barn
20–40% class drop, trainer not on avoid list	Moderate	Require explanation — check trainer pattern before proceeding
Same level or slight drop, trainer in good standing	Low	Proceed to full 5-factor framework evaluation

Why Trainers Risk Losing a Horse in a Claiming Race

Most beginners assume a trainer only enters a horse in a claiming race when the horse is sound and competitive. That is not always true — and understanding the real reasons trainers claim-enter horses is the single most useful lens for evaluating whether a horse represents value or a trap.

Legitimate reasons: The condition book has no suitable allowance or stakes race in the next 30–45 days, and the horse needs to run to stay sharp. The horse has won at a higher claiming level and needs a spot to find a race — the trainer is not worried about losing it because it is genuinely placed correctly. The owner wants a purse check and has authorized the risk.

Warning sign reasons: The horse has an issue the trainer hopes stays quiet through one race before the horse changes hands. The horse is no longer competitive at its normal level and the trainer is using a lower price to find a buyer without a private sale negotiation. The owner is exiting the operation and the trainer needs to move the horse efficiently.

The key question before every claim is not “why is this horse entered here?” That question is too broad to be useful. Ask three specific questions instead:

Why here? Does this race fit the horse’s distance, surface, and class history — or does the placement look forced?

Why this price? Is the claiming price consistent with the horse’s recent race level and speed figures, or has it dropped significantly in a short period?

Why now? What changed between the last start and this entry — new trainer, equipment change, class drop, freshening, or a condition book that simply had no better option? The answer to that third question is almost always in the price trajectory, the trainer’s pattern, and the recent workout log.

Auto-Disqualifiers

Trainer with a high claim-to-bench rate. Check Equibase trainer statistics before the race. If a significant portion of horses claimed from this trainer do not race again within 90 days, it is a pattern — not a coincidence. I maintain a permanent “do not claim from” list at Louisiana tracks that I have built over my career and never broken.

Price dropping more than 50% within 60 days. Any drop greater than 50% in 60 days is a pass for me — no amount of other positive signals overrides it. Whether it is a 75% crash over five weeks or a steady slide from $20,000 to $8,000, the signal is the same: connections know something you do not, and the claiming price reflects the exit, not the horse’s value.

Pre-race observation blocked. If the trainer or groom makes paddock observation difficult or refuses basic soundness questions, abort. In my experience, that behavior consistently predicts problems the connections do not want you to see before you file the slip.

Excessive recent workouts. Two or more workouts in 14 days when the horse’s normal pattern is one workout every 7–10 days can indicate a trainer trying to make the horse look fit while masking soreness or overtraining.

Paddock Inspection Points

Watch for head-bobbing or a shortened stride on any leg. Look for heat or puffiness around any joint — both suggest active inflammation. Check breathing before exertion: labored breathing at rest is a serious signal. Note the coat: a dull, rough coat in a horse supposedly in race-fit training suggests internal health issues that will not appear in past performances. Compare the horse’s paddock behavior to its documented temperament — unusual agitation or lethargy in a normally calm horse warrants attention.

The 5-Factor Decision Framework

Over my career I developed this weighted scoring system. Score each factor 0–10 based on your assessment. You need at least 32 out of 50 points to proceed — 32/50 is the floor, never the goal. Below that threshold, walk away regardless of how attractive the price looks.

5-Factor pre-claim scoring framework — 32 out of 50 minimum to proceed

Factor	Weight	What I Look At	My Hard Rule
Physical Soundness	30%	Gait, breathing, coat, joint heat, paddock behavior	Score below 7 → request post-race vet exam immediately
Price Trajectory & Value	25%	Recent price history, speed figures vs. claiming level, form cycle	Automatic NO if dropped more than 50% in 60 days
Trainer Reputation	20%	Claim-to-bench rate, post-claim success, circuit standing	Permanent avoid list; never broken
Racing Opportunity & Fit	15%	Next 45 days of condition book, surface match, distance, stall availability	Require at least 3 suitable races in the next 45 days
Financial Justification	10%	Breakeven analysis, purse projection, liquid reserves check	Pass if breakeven requires more than 5 wins without exceptional circumstances

Framework in Action — “Dancing Rita,” Fair Grounds 2024

$12,500 claimer, four-year-old mare. Physical Soundness: 8/10. Price Trajectory: 7/10. Trainer Reputation: 9/10. Racing Opportunity: 8/10. Financial Justification: 7/10. Weighted total: 39.3/50 — Claim. Outcome: won two of her next five starts, earned $28,400 in six months. Profit after all expenses: $11,200. Still racing competitively.

What Percentage of Claims Actually Work Out?

Most guides tell you how to claim. Almost none of them tell you what to expect across a realistic portfolio of claims. Here is the honest answer based on my own career record.

Realistic claim outcome distribution — based on career claiming experience at Louisiana regional tracks

Outcome	Approximate % of Claims	What It Looks Like
Profitable	30–40%	Earns back claim price + carrying costs + profit; typical return 2–5x
Break-even	20–30%	Covers most bills, races competitively, no significant profit or loss
Loss	30–40%	Injury, unexpected issue, or misread — loses part or all of carrying costs

Claiming ROI: Understanding the Economics

All of this leads to one question: does claiming actually make money? The answer depends almost entirely on how you structure the operation. Claiming ROI is best understood as a portfolio calculation, not a single-transaction metric.

The math only works if your monthly burn rate stays controlled and the horse stays sound long enough to race regularly. A 45-day layup costs you roughly $5,000–$6,500 in carrying costs with zero offsetting income — that is the most common ROI killer at the regional level. Here is what a profitable claim actually looks like in numbers, using Dancing Rita from the 5-Factor Framework section above:

Dancing Rita — real claim P&L, Fair Grounds 2024

Item	Cost	Notes
Claim price	$12,500	Plus LA sales tax and secretary fee
6 months training	$18,000	~$3,000/month day rate
Vet and farrier	$5,500	Routine care plus one minor issue
Shipping and miscellaneous	$2,000	Two ship-ins, entry fees, incidentals
Total invested	$38,000
Purse earnings (6 months)	$28,400	2 wins, 3 places across 5 starts
Operating position	–$9,600	Purse earnings ($28,400) minus total invested ($38,000)
Horse retained value	+$20,800	Still racing competitively — this is the equity that closes the gap
Net equity position	+$11,200	Operating loss offset by retained horse value — the horse is still earning

That outcome required the horse to stay sound and race five times in six months. One significant layup — $5,000–$6,500 in dark barn costs — and the net drops to roughly break-even. Durability is not a bonus in claiming; it is the entire business model.

The two most reliable ROI killers in claiming: extended layoffs and escalating vet costs on a horse claimed with undisclosed issues. Both are largely preventable — the first with disciplined condition book research before you claim, the second with disciplined use of the HISA vet window after the race. For a full analysis of how purse earnings at each level compare against annual carrying costs, see our guide to making money as a racehorse owner.

What I know with certainty after years at the claiming box is this: the process rewards preparation and punishes impulse. The owners who succeed are the ones who show up early, do the work before the race, use every protection the rules provide, and walk away from horses that do not pass the evaluation — regardless of how good the price looks in the moment. If you are ready to evaluate specific horses, start with the full physical inspection checklist in our pre-claim evaluation guide. Once you have made your first claim, the first 30-day management guide covers what happens next.

Who Should Not Claim a Horse

Most ownership guides tell you how to claim. This one needs to tell you when not to. Claiming is not the right entry point for every person who is interested in racehorse ownership, and the financial and emotional cost of discovering that the hard way is high enough that it is worth being direct about who is not ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Claiming Races