What are maiden and novice races?

Horse racing features two distinct types of horses that compete against each other: mares and novices, known as "éguas" and "noviças," respectively. In simple terms, mares are animals that have not yet won a race, whereas novices are female horses that have not yet had reproductive experience.

Goals, environment, and rules

Maiden and novice races have distinct goals and guidelines reflecting their nature and purpose. Maiden races focus on a challenging yet friendly competition while ensuring equal opportunities for competing horses. Novice races provide fair competition among qualified for horses according to pre-established rules.

To guarantee a safe and fair environment, clear rules and guidelines are essential to ensuring that races remain stress-free and equitable opportunities for both horses and jockeys. As the Racetrack Weekly argues, the consistent observance of clear rules contributes towards this goal.

Consistent adherence to clearly-defined rules ensures fair competition for all.