The Thoroughbred Horse Owners and Producers Association’s American Graded Stakes Committee has released the list of U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes races for the 2026 season, following their annual evaluation session on December 17-18. They reviewed 942 stakes races with purses of at least $75,000, designating graded status to 410 races—five fewer than in 2025—and listed status to 211 races. Eleven significant races were upgraded, including one new Grade 1 event, ten new Grade 2 events, and four new Grade 3 events. Additionally, nine races moved up to Listed status, with one Listed Restricted race promoted from Non-Listed Black Type (NLBT).
Thirteen key races faced downgrades: two Grade 1, five Grade 2, six Grade 3, and six listed races were relegated to NLBT status. Notably, the Ladies Turf Sprint S at Kentucky Downs will move up from Grade 2 to Grade 1 in 2026. Conversely, the Franklin Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs and the Frank E. Kilro Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park have been downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
Ten races are promoted to Grade 2, including notable events at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Monmouth Park, and Saratoga. Five races dropped from Grade 2 to Grade 3, and four new Grade 3 races have been added at Churchill Downs and Keeneland. Six races fell from Grade 3 to Listed status, while nine others were upgraded to Listed status for the upcoming year. One race, the Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar, was promoted to Listed Restricted status. Meanwhile, six races were demoted from Listed to non-listed black-type status.
Several well-known races, including the All American S., El Camino Real Derby, and others at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park, are no longer eligible for grading in 2026. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, oversees these classifications and continues its mission to support Thoroughbred owners and breeders through various programs and international representation.
Fan Take: This reshuffling of graded stakes is crucial for the sport as it reshapes the competitive landscape, highlighting emerging races and providing clearer markers of quality for fans and industry insiders alike. It reflects evolving standards in horse racing, signaling new opportunities and challenges for owners, trainers, and enthusiasts invested in the sport’s future.
