Jockey Club of Canada Stakes Committee
February 10, 2021
Announces Two Updates from Black Type to Listed Status for 2021
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 decrease to 41, due to individual racetracks choosing to place selected races on hold for the 2021 season. Additionally, two races currently with Black Type status will be upgraded to Listed status for 2021.
The Graded Stakes Committee meeting was conducted by Committee Chair, Ross McKague who was accompanied by all of the appointed Committee Members, David Anderson, James Bannon, Jeffrey Begg, Tom Cosgrove, Catherine Day Phillips, Bernard McCormack and Jockey Club of Canada’s Chief Steward R. Glenn Sikura. As well, the attending racetrack representatives included Julie Bell, Scott Lane, Rob MacLennan and Nichelle Milner.
The Committee reviewed the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures and the Race Quality Scores (RQS) for all of the Graded Stakes Races in Canada. In general, evaluation indicated slight declines in the performance of most Graded Stakes races across Canada. These numbers will remain on historical record, but were not used to upgrade, downgrade, or place on watch any individual races. 2020 was recognized as an anomalous year. The committee is, however, fully aware of the possibility that some effects of the pandemic of 2020 may continue in the future.
After reviewing the NARC figures and the RQS for all Listed and Black Type races in Canada, the Committee determined that two, highly qualified, open Black Type races will be elevated to Listed status: the Ontario Racing S. and the Woodbine Cares S.
Other changes include the G1 Northern Dancer S., G3 Eclipse S., G2 Nijinsky S. and the G2 Play the King S. have all been placed on hold and will not be run in 2021. There will be one distance decrease: the G3 Valedictory S. from 14 furlongs to 12 furlongs.
Additionally, the following races have had a change to their age requirement for 2021: the G2 Nassau S., G2 Royal North S., G3 Dominion Day S. G3 Royal North S., G3 Vigil S., G3 Ontario Matron S., G3 Seaway S., and G3 Trillium S. all change from 3 years old and up to 4 years old and up. The G3 Hendrie S. changes from 4 years old and up to 3 years old and up.
Graded Stakes for 2021 in Canada:
| Name of Stakes Race | Grade | Distance | Track | Age/Sex |
| Current G1s | ||||
| Canadian International (Pattison) | G1 | 12T | WO | 3up |
| Woodbine Mile (Ricoh) | G1 | 8T | WO | 3up |
| E.P. Taylor Stakes | G1 | 10T | WO | 3up f/m |
| Natalma Stakes | G1 | 8T | WO | 2yof |
| Summer Stakes | G1 | 8T | WO | 2yo |
| Highlander Stakes | G1 | 6T | WO | 3up |
| Current G2s | ||||
| King Edward Stakes | G2 | 8T | WO | 3up |
| Autumn Stakes | G2 | 8.5 | WO | 3up |
| Kennedy Road Stakes | G2 | 6 | WO | 3up |
| Nearctic Stakes | G2 | 6T | WO | 3up |
| Connaught Cup Stakes | G2 | 7T | WO | 4up |
| Nassau Stakes | G2 | 8T | WO | 4up f/m |
| Dance Smartly Stakes | G2 | 10T | WO | 3up f/m |
| Canadian Stakes | G2 | 9T | WO | 3up f/m |
| Bessarabian Stakes | G2 | 7 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Royal North Stakes | G2 | 6T | WO | 4up f/m |
| Current G3s | ||||
| Grey Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 2yo |
| Mazarine Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 2yof |
| Marine Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3yo |
| BC Premier’s Handicap | G3 | 11 | HST | 3up |
| Seagram Cup Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3up |
| Dominion Day Stakes | G3 | 9 | WO | 4up |
| Singspiel Stakes | G3 | 10T | WO | 3up |
| Durham Cup Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3up |
| Valedictory Stakes | G3 | 12 | WO | 3up |
| Bold Venture | G3 | 6.5 | WO | 4up |
| Vigil Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 4up |
| Ballerina Stakes | G3 | 9 | HST | 3up f/m |
| Ontario Fashion Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Seaway Stakes | G3 | 7 | WO | 4up f/m |
| Maple Leaf Stakes | G3 | 10 | WO | 3up f/m |
| Ontario Matron Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 4up f/m |
| Whimsical Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 4up f/m |
| Hendrie Stakes | G3 | 6.5 | WO | 3up f/m |
| British Columbia Derby | G3 | 9 | HST | 3yo |
| Canadian Derby | G3 | 10 | CTM | 3yo |
| Ontario Derby | G3 | 9 | WO | 3yo |
| Selene Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 3yof |
| Ontario Colleen Stakes | G3 | 8T | WO | 3yof |
| Trillium Stakes | G3 | 8.5 | WO | 4up f/m |
| Jacques Cartier Stakes | G3 | 6 | WO | 4up |
For complete information visit: 2021 Canadian Graded and Listed Stakes
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain the highest standards for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada at a level which is recognized internationally for the benefit of all those interested in the sport including the general public by operations and services such as, but not limited to: evaluating all Graded, Listed and Black-type races in Canada annually; conducting the annual Sovereign Awards for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada; maintaining a field office in Canada for the Jockey Club of the United States and the Jockey Club Registry Service; and by representing Canada as a Member of the IFHA.
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