Committee to Examine Number of Grade I Stakes

The American Graded Stakes Committee has formed a subcommittee to examine the number of grade I stakes as it relates to the current and projected racehorse inventory in the United States.

The AGSC, which falls under the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, held an administrative meeting Aug. 9 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Andy Schweigardt, TOBA director of industry relations and development and AGSC secretary, provided a brief update Aug. 10 during the TOBA annual members meeting.

Schweigardt said the subcommittee "will look at grade I races across all divisions and make recommendations to the full committee. The feeling is it's becoming top-heavy, and the pool of available horses is shrinking."

For 2016, the committee awarded graded status to 464 races, or 58.9% of eligible stakes. Of the total, 109 (23.5% of all graded stakes) were granted grade I status. There are 133 grade II stakes and 222 grade III stakes this year.

The Thoroughbred foal crop, according to Jockey Club statistics, fell 37.5% from 2007 to 2012, when the number stood at 21,440. Estimated figures for 2014-15 show some stabilization.

"To maintain the stature of (grade I stakes), the committee will look at reducing the numbers," Schweigardt said. "It will take several years, with a push-down effect to reduce grade IIs and grade IIIs."

Schweigardt said the Aug. 9 meeting included discussion of the 3-year-old filly dirt route division. The AGSC will hold its annual grading session Nov. 30 in Lexington.