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 |