In this type of race, horses that have yet to secure a victory (referred to as “maidens”) are handicapped, meaning they carry different amounts of weight to even the competition. The handicap system aims to create a more balanced race by assigning weight based on the horse’s past performances and potential, giving less experienced horses a better chance of winning.
Maiden Handicap Example
For example, in a Maiden Handicap, a lightly raced horse might carry less weight than a more experienced but still winless horse, making the race more competitive.