Have you ever heard the term “selling race” and wondered what it means? At first glance, this seems strange. Most horse racing is about winning prizes. Horses can also be bought in these. Let us explain it in clear words.
A selling race is a horse race in which each runner is for sale. It is a claiming race where the winning horse is put up for auction. The word is old. Its first known use in a dictionary is listed in 1867.
Right after the race, the winner goes to a public auction. This step is necessary. In some cases, the horse is offered for sale with the bid already set. The owner of the winner can also bid. If the owner wins the auction, the horse is "purchased". This means that the owner buys his horse back. However, there is a risk. The owner can pay more than the prize money just won by the horse.
The winner is not the only horse that can be sold. Any horse can be bought in the race. This is called "making a claim". Before the race, the trainer of each horse sets a price when entering it. Anyone who wants that horse can claim it at that price.
There are two types of selling races. In handicap races, horses carry weight based on their official handicap rating. In non-handicap races, horses are weighed based on their age and sex. Both types have one thing in common. They are low in quality.
In fact, selling races are the lowest level of horse racing. There used to be a level below them called "banded" racing. This was for the weakest horses in training. It did not last long and was not successful. Now the selling race sits at the bottom.
This does not make them lazy. Owners and trainers use them to keep horses where they can compete. Buyers use them to find bargains. And fans of the sport get to see a side of racing that most people never think about.
Sometimes, yes. From time to time, there comes a “rags-to-riches” story. A person buys a horse cheaply at a selling race. The horse then wins more than its cost. These stories are rare. But they show why some people still keep a close eye on the sales race.
So, what is a selling race? This is a low-class horse race where all the horses are for sale, and the winner goes to the auction. It connects racing with buying and selling in a way that most races do not. If you follow horse racing, knowing this term will help you understand the sport better.
If you bet on races, only spend money you can afford to lose. You must be 18 or older. If you stop enjoying gambling, seek help.
A selling race is a horse race where all the runners are available for purchase, usually at a set price.
Horses compete in the race, and the winner is usually offered for sale through a public auction afterwards.
Yes. Any runner may be claimed at a price determined by his trainer before the race.
Yes. Selling races are generally considered to be the lowest level of horse racing in the UK.
Yes, but it is rare. Some horses bought cheaply in selling races have subsequently won valuable races.
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