Number of Graded Stakes in Canada to Increase to 42 in 2023

[Wandering Eyes]

The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held 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 GI Canadian International and the upgrade of one listed race to Grade III status. No graded stakes races were downgraded.

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. Last year was the first year since 2019 that restricted movement of horses and humans did not hamper field size and, ultimately, race quality.

After reviewing the NARC figures and the RQS numbers for all listed and black-type races in Canada, the Committee determined that the GIII Seagram Cup S. will be upgraded to Grade II status and the Listed Belle Mahone S. will be upgraded to Grade III status. Additionally, the Ontario Damsel S. and the Algonquin S. (previously run as the Ontario Racing S.) will be upgraded to listed status.

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