Maiden
Also called: maiden race, breaking your maiden
A maiden is a horse that has never won a race; a 'maiden race' is restricted to such horses, and a horse that wins one has 'broken its maiden.'
Maiden races come in two flavors: maiden special weight (for better-bred or more promising horses, with no claiming tag) and maiden claiming (where the maidens are also for sale). Breaking the maiden is the first milestone of a racing career and opens the door to allowance and condition races.
Examples
- arrow_rightShe broke her maiden at second asking at Tampa Bay Downs.
- arrow_rightMaiden special weight is usually the entry point for a well-bred first-time starter.