What are maidens not allowed to do in non-maiden races?

Maidens are horses that have never won a race and hold a distinct status in horse racing. In non-maiden races, maidens are not allowed to participate if they fall into specific categories that could potentially disrupt the competitive balance of the race. One such restriction is that they cannot exclude winners except under specific circumstances, such as when the second choice is of the same ownership.

This ensures that the integrity of the race is maintained by limiting the potential influence of horses that have already demonstrated the ability to win. Allowing maidens to exclude winners could create an unfair advantage, as it allows certain horses to compete without facing others that have already proven their racing capability. This principle helps to create equal opportunity among competitors in non-maiden races, fostering a fair environment for all participants.