Canada to host five Grade 1 races in 2025; number of graded stakes down to 41

The Jockey Club of Canada graded stakes committee modified three graded stakes for 2025 while decreasing the number of them by one to 41 at its annual review of graded and listed stakes in the country.

After reviewing the North American Race Committee figures and the Race Quality Scores for all listed and black type races in Canada, the committee downgraded the Grade 2 Autumn and Grade 2 Seagram Cup, both at Woodbine, to Grade 3 status. The Grade 3 B.C. Premier’s Handicap at Hastings was downgraded to listed status.

The graded stakes committee meeting was conducted by new committee chair Bernard McCormack, who was accompanied by the appointed committee members David Anderson, Jim Bannon, Jeff Begg, Catherine Day Phillips, Ross McKague, and Doug Anderson. The attending racetrack representatives included Allen Goodsell and Teagan Goodsell from Alberta, Scott Henson from British Columbia, Ross McKague from Manitoba, and Julia Bell from Ontario.

There are five Grade 1 stakes listed for this year, all on the grass at Woodbine – the Canadian International, E.P. Taylor, Natalma, Summer, and Woodbine Mile.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.