Edited press release
The North American members of the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers remind that the minimum purse value for North American black-type races will increase from $45,000 to $50,000 beginning Jan. 1, 2008. The increase was first announced last July as one of several changes recommended by the North American representatives of the International Cataloguing Standards Committee and designed to maintain the standards of integrity for black type in North America.
In order for a stakes in the United States or Canada to receive black type in SITA catalogs, it must close at least 72 hours in advance of its running; have an entry fee paid by the owner; have a total purse value distributed on the day of the race equal to or greater than the established minimum; have all entries be eligible for the pursemoney used to determine the minimum purse value for black type or listed status; not have restrictions other than state-bred, non-winners of a sweepstakes, sales graduate,s or stallions’ progeny; not contain a preference clause(s) based on criteria unrelated to the quality of the horse if such preference clause(s) could possibly exclude any horse(s) of superior quality from competing.
The North American members of SITA and ICSC recommend that racing secretaries and trainers review the above conditions when writing or entering stakes they expect will receive SITA black type.
