Japanese races earn graded status

The Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers has announced that it will add about 60 Japanese graded races to part 1 of the International Cataloging Standards, recognizing those races as graded races in major auction catalogs.

A number of other Japanese races will receive black-type status.

But SITA also warned that it will promote no more Japanese races until Japan's ownership criteria are changed to allow more international ownership of horses competing in Japanese races.

SITA's members include Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, and the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co., as well as major international auction houses in England, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.