1 Maiden races can be among horses of many different age groups. 2  It is similar to a stakes race in the respect that horses all carry similar weights and there are no handicapped penalties.. 3  This is the primary method for racing a 2 year old for the first time, although only against other 2 year olds.he typical cost of owning a race horse in training for one year is in the order of £15,000 in the United Kingdom and as much as $35,000 at major race tracks in North America.