claiming race

American  

noun

Horse Racing.

1. a race in which any horse entered can be purchased at a fixed price by anyone who has made a bid or claim before the start of the race.

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claiming race British  

noun

1. horse racing a race in which each owner declares beforehand the price at which his horse will be offered for sale after the race

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Etymology

Origin of claiming race

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Kimberley Dream, a 7-year-old mare owned and trained by Freddie D. Winston, was pulled up in last Saturday’s first race, a $68,000 claiming race for fillies and mares 4 years old and up.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2023

The notes added that Lost in Limbo dropped his rider before the six-furlong claiming race and ran loose before being gathered by an outrider.

From Washington Times • May 28, 2023

Since Pletcher added blinkers two starts back, the Curlin-sired colt won an optional claiming race by 11 lengths and the Grade 1 Florida Derby, a key prep race, by 2¾ lengths.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2021

In June at Churchill Downs, Harbut saw an opportunity to raise his and his partner’s game: A colt named Necker Island was running in a $100,000 claiming race, which meant he was for sale.

From New York Times • Sep. 3, 2020

The next owner promptly dropped Knighthood into another claiming race.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand