Graded Stakes

Graded Stakes are high-level horse races classified into three categories—Grade I, II, and III—based on the race’s prestige, quality of participating horses, and purse size. Grade I races are the most prestigious, featuring the best horses and the highest prize money, followed by Grade II and III. These designations help identify top-tier competitions and are used for assessing the quality of racing and breeding programs. Essentially, graded stakes indicate the race’s importance and competitiveness within the horse racing industry.