A Comparison of Grade 1 Events (1973 - 2008)
An interesting indicator of the change in the U.S. racing scene over the last three decades can be found in comparing the makeup of Grade 1 events from 1973, the first year that races were graded, through the present. A comparison is made through 2008. Note that statistics for 2005 are noticeably affected by the loss of the several Grade 1 events originally scheduled for the Hollywood Park fall meet.
First, it can be noted that the number of Grade 1 events has varied dramatically, from just over 60 initially to over 120 in the 1980s, back to the current level of about 100 in recent years. A side effect of this is the disproportionate number of Grade 1 wins by 1980s-era horses, especially compared to 1970s-era horses, as well as the tally of Grade 1 winners for 1980s-era sires compared to earlier and later times.
Telling also is how the the races that represent the pinnacle of U.S. racing have altered over this period of time. Compared to 1973, 2-year-old racing has been de-emphasized while filly/mare races and turf races have grown to a much larger proportion of the total. In terms of distance, races from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles in distance have become much more dominant among Grade 1 events, at the expense of longer races. Regarding true sprints - races shorter than 7 furlongs - all Grade 1 sprints prior to 1984 were 2-year-old races and it wasn't until 1999 that there was a Grade 1 race other than the Breeders' Cup Sprint open to 3-year-olds and up at less than seven furlongs.
To see exact statistics of the makeup of U.S graded stakes since 1973, click the Compare All link.
To see a detailed accounting of the Grade 1 races of 1973 and their 2009 status, click the Compare 1973/2009 link.
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