The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee has completed its annual review of the Graded and Listed Stakes races in Canada. The number of Graded Stakes in Canada will increase to 42. The increase is due to the return of the Canadian International (Grade 1) and the upgrade of one Listed race to Grade 3 status. No Graded Stakes races were downgraded.
The Graded Stakes Committee meeting was conducted by Committee Chair, Ross McKague who was accompanied by the appointed Committee Members David Anderson, Doug Anderson, Jeffrey Begg, Catherine Day Phillips, Bernard McCormack and Jockey Club of Canada's Chief Steward R. Glenn Sikura. James Bannon was unable to attend, but provided commentary in advance of the meeting. As well, the attending racetrack representatives included Allen Goodsell and Josh Murphy from Alberta, Nichelle Milner and Scott Henson from British Columbia, Ross McKague representing Manitoba, and Julia Bell and Scott Lane from Ontario.
The Committee reviewed the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures and the Race Quality Scores (RQS) for all Graded, Listed, and potentially Listed races in Canada. 2022 was the first year since 2019 that restricted movement of horses and humans did not hamper field size and, ultimately, race quality. Most races achieved as good or better scores in 2022 and their status was secure. A few races were granted concessions for their slow recovery based on their superior historical references and acceptable current numerical evaluations.
After reviewing the NARC figures and the RQS numbers for all Listed and Blacktype races in Canada, the Committee determined that the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes will be upgraded to Grade 2 status and the Listed Belle Mahone Stakes will be upgraded to Grade 3 status. Additionally, the Ontario Damsel Stakes and the Algonquin Stakes (previously run as the Ontario Racing Stakes) will be upgraded to Listed status.
Graded Stakes for 2023 in Canada
| Name of Stakes Race | Status | Distance | Track | Age |
| Current G1s | ||||
| Canadian International Stakes | G1 | 10T | WO | 3up |
| E.P. Taylor Stakes | G1 | 10T | WO | 3up f/m |
| Natalma Stakes | G1 | 8T | WO | 2yof |
| Summer Stakes | G1 | 8T | WO | 2yo |
| Woodbine Mile | G1 | 8T | WO | 3up |
| Current G2s | ||||
| Autumn Stakes | G2 | 8.5 | WO | 3up |
| Bessarabian Stakes | G2 | 7 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Canadian Stakes | G2 | 9T | WO | 3up f/m |
| Connaught Cup Stakes | G2 | 7T | WO | 3up |
| Dance Smartly Stakes | G2 | 8.5T | WO | 3up f/m |
| Eclipse Stakes | G2 | 8.5 | WO | 4up |
| Highlander Stakes | G2 | 6T | WO | 4up |
| Kennedy Road Stakes | G2 | 6 | WO | 3up |
| King Edward Stakes | G2 | 8T | WO | 3up |
| Nassau Stakes | G2 | 8T | WO | 4up f/m |
| Nearctic Stakes | G2 | 6T | WO | 3up |
| Royal North Stakes | G2 | 6.5T | WO | 4up f/m |
| Seagram Cup Stakes | G2 | 8.5 | WO | 3up |
| Current G3s | ||||
| BC Premiers H. | G3 | 11 | HST | 3up |
| Belle Mahone Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Bold Venture | G3 | 6.5 | WO | 3up |
| British Columbia Derby | G3 | 9 | HST | 3yo |
| Canadian Derby | G3 | 10 | CTM | 3yo |
| Dominion Day Stakes | G3 | 9 | WO | 4up |
| Durham Cup Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3up |
| Grey Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 2yo |
| Hendrie Stakes | G3 | 6.5 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Jacques Cartier Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 4up |
| Maple Leaf Stakes | G3 | 10 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Marine Stake | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3yo |
| Mazarine Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 2yof |
| Ontario Colleen Stakes | G3 | 8T | WO | 3yof |
| Ontario Derby | G3 | 9 | WO | 3yo |
| Ontario Fashion Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Ontario Matron Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Seaway Stakes | G3 | 7 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Selene Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3yof |
| Singspiel Stakes | G3 | 10T | WO | 3up |
| Trillium Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Valedictory Stakes | G3 | 12 | WO | 3up |
| Vigil Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 3up |
| Whimsical Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 4up f/m |
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain the highest standards for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada at a level which is recognized internationally for the benefit of all those interested in the sport including the general public by operations and services such as, but not limited to: evaluating all Graded, Listed and Black-type races in Canada annually; conducting the annual Sovereign Awards for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada; maintaining a field office in Canada for the Jockey Club of the United States and the Jockey Club Registry Service; and by representing Canada as a Member of the IFHA.
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