Following their annual meeting the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee announced the list of 2009 graded races.  It was determined that 35 races would have graded status for 2009; two races were downgraded to listed races; the Marine Stakes and the British Columbia Oaks.

In attendance at the meeting were; Michael Byrne, Chairman of the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee, Dick Bonnycastle, Chair of the Jockey Club of Canada, Ross McKague, Director of the Manitoba Jockey Club, Glenn Sikura, President of the CTHS – Ontario Division, Gordon Wilson, National President of the CTHS/President of the CTHS – Alberta Division, Lorne Mitchell, Director of Racing at Hastings Racecourse and Steve Lym, Director of Thoroughbred Racing/ Racing Secretary at Woodbine Racetrack.

To qualify for graded status in Canada races must carry the following minimum purses; CDN $250,000 for Grade 1, CDN $150,000 for Grade 2 and CDN $100,000 for Grade 3.   

On 30 January 2009 the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency issued a Memorandum to the Canadian Horse Racing Industry announcing its plan to implement testing for veterinary approved anabolic steroids: boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol and testosterone, as of June 1st, 2009.  Any graded stakes races occurring before that date would be tested for anabolic steroids. 

The CGSC expressed appreciation to the Ontario Racing Commission and to the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) for their co-operation in this area.    

The following is a listing of all graded races in Canada in 2009.

NAME OF STAKES RACE

GRADE

DISTANCE

TRACK

AGE/SEX

GRADE 1

 

 

 

 

Canadian International (Pattison)

G1

12T

WO

3up

Woodbine Mile

G1

8T

WO

3up

E.P. Taylor Stakes

G1

10T

WO

3up f/m

Northern Dancer Turf

G1

12T

WO

3up

GRADE 2

 

 

 

 

Sky Classic Stakes

G2

11T

WO

3up

Autumn Stakes

G2

8.5

WO

3up

Nijinsky Stakes

G2

10T

WO

3up

Nearctic Stakes

G2

6T

WO

3up

Play The King Stakes

G2

7T

WO

3up

King Edward S.

G2

9T

WO

3up

Nassau Stakes

G2

8.5T

WO

3up f/m

Dance Smartly Stakes

G2

9T

WO

3up f/m

Canadian Stakes

G2

9T

WO

3up f/m

 

GRADE 3

 

 

 

 

Grey Stakes

G3

8.5

WO

2yo

Summer Stakes

G3

8T

WO

2yo

Mazarine Stakes

G3

8.5

WO

2yof

Natalma Stakes

G3

8T

WO

2yof

BC Premiers H.

G3

11

HST

3up

Seagram Cup Stakes

G3

8.5

WO

3up

Singspiel Stakes

G3

12T

WO

3up

Dominion Day Stakes

G3

10

WO

3up

Highlander Stakes

G3

6T

WO

3up

Kennedy Road Stakes

G3

6

WO

3up

Eclipse Stakes 

G3

8.5

WO

3up

Durham Cup Stakes

G3

9

WO

3up

Ballerina S.

G3

9

HST

3up f/m

Seaway Stakes

G3

7

WO

3up f/m

Royal North Stakes

G3

6T

WO

3up f/m

Hendrie Stakes

G3

6.5

WO

3up f/m

British Columbia Derby

G3

9

HST

3yo

Canadian Derby

G3

11

NP

3yo

Selene Stakes

G3

8.5

WO

3yof

Vigil Stakes

G3

7

WO

4up

Connaught Cup Stakes

G3

8.5T

WO

4up

Whimsical Stakes

G3

6

WO

4up f/m