Jockey Club of Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Jockey Club of Canada was formed in 1973 to oversee thoroughbred horse racing in Canada. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the club is responsible for the annual Sovereign Awards program and the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee.

Founding members:

Colonel Charles "Bud" Baker
Douglas Banks
Warren Beasley
Richard A. N. Bonnycastle
Charles F. W. Burns
Arthur B. Christopher
Harry J. Carmichael
George C. Frostad
George R. Gardiner
W. Preston Gilbride
Caryl Nicholas Charles Hardinge, 4th Viscount Hardinge
George C. Hendrie
Charles John "Jack" Jackson
Sydney J. "Jim" Langill
Jean-Louis Levesque
Frank M. McMahon
John Angus "Bud" McDougald
J. E. Frowde Seagram
Frank H. Sherman
Conn Smythe
E. P. Taylor
Donald G. "Bud" Willmot

[edit] Canadian Graded Stakes Committee

Each year, the Club's Canadian Graded Stakes Committee meets to review open Thoroughbred horse races. To be eligible for graded stakes race status, a race must offer a minimum purse in an amount determined by the Committee. As at 2008, there are thirty-seven Canadian graded stakes races of which all but five are run at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack.