2026 edition of The Blue Book released

The 2026 International Cataloguing Standards Book, widely known as The Blue Book, has been released by Jockey Club Information Systems in partnership with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Published annually, The Blue Book serves as the authoritative reference for stakes races worldwide that are eligible to receive Group, Graded or Listed status in international sales catalogues.

The 2026 edition includes a list of all 608 stakes races in Australia, including 76 Group 1s, 94 Group 2 races, 167 Group 3 races and 271 listed races.

It does not reflect to upgraded status of 18 New South Wales races which had their new status rejected by the Asian Racing Federation last year.

The Asian Pattern Committee is now responsible for reshaping Australia’s black-type calendar after taking the extraordinary and unprecedented step of stripping the power of the country’s national body to determine what races carry stakes status in December.

It will be advised by an Australian black-type advisory group.

First issued in 1983, The Blue Book has become a cornerstone resource for maintaining international consistency and transparency in race grading and catalogue standards.

The 2026 edition of the Blue Book is available via this link.