Youth Claiming Stakes Age Requirement Revised

Amarillo, Texas - During their recently held meeting in Ruidoso, New Mexico, the AQHA Racing Council poured over requests sent by various Members in the racing industry asking that the age requirement for the popular AQHYA Claiming Stakes be lowered. The modified conditions for the race, which offers a total purse of $24,500 split $12,000 in scholarships and $12,500 in added-money, is open to AQHYA Members between the ages of eight and 18 as of January 1, 2001. The youth Member must be the recorded owner or lessee of the horse according to AQHA rules.

The AQHYA Claiming Stakes will be contested on Friday, October 19 the day prior to the annual MBNA America® Challenge Championships. The Challenge Championships will be run at Los Alamitos near Los Angeles.

"This is the third year we've been able to provide young people with a way to get involved in racing," said Dan Fick AQHA Executive Director of Racing. "The fact that someone as young as eight can own and race an American Quarter Horse is exciting and helps build our next generation of racehorse owners. I know all of the youth who participate also love the chance to race as part of the Challenge Championships."

The AQHYA Claiming Stakes is for 3-year-olds and upward which have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in the 12 months prior to entry deadline for the race's time trials. Ten horses will start in the October final. Youth also must be licensed by the California Horse Racing Board.

Any youths or parents who are interested in obtaining more information on the AQHYA Claiming Stakes can visit AQHA's Web site at www.aqha.com and choose the "Racing" option. Interested people also can call AQHA's Racing Department at 1-800-831-4447.

The MBNA America Quarter Horse Racing Challenge is racing's richest program - the championship series designed for America's Horse.

A total of 69 races take place in 10 regions across the United States, Canada and Mexico throughout the year. American Quarter Horses compete in one of six different types of races, depending on their age and ability.

On Championship Day, a total of six championship races plus seven under card races are held.

The MBNA America Racing Challenge is a $4.1 million purse and bonus awards program, of which more than 60% is added money from AQHA corporate sponsors and host racetracks.