American Grand National

Event Rules & Fees

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2026 American Grand National and True Grit Race

Perch Fees:

  • Per Bird – $140.00
    • Five Birds get One FREE!
    • Eight Birds get Two FREE!
    • Twelve Birds get Four FREE!
  • Perch Fee must be sent before or with the birds
  • Perch Fee is non-refundable

Accepting Birds – February 9th till May 3rd 2026

  • AGN Entry Fee – $350.00 Per Bird
  • True Grit Entry Fee – $250.00 Per Bird (Optional Race)

AGN and True Grit Total Payout:

  • AGN $300,000.00- Based on 1010 Birds
    • $265,000.00 – Paying out thru 1st – 100th
    • $35,000.00 – Paying out Champion Bird 1st – 10th
  • True Grit – Optional Race after 330 Mile Race
    • Pays on final 400+ mile race

*See complete payout breakdown: Prizes

Race Schedule:

  • Yuba City 129 miles – Hotspot One 09.16.2026
    • Activation due for the AGN
  • Chico 167 miles – Hotspot Two 09.23.2026
  • Red Bluff 205 miles – Hotspot Three 09.30.2026
  • Hornbrook (AGN Final Race) 10.18.2026
    • Activation opening for the True Grit
  • Beaver Marsh (True Grit Final Race) 10.25.2026
    • Race location subject to change.

!!!ATTENTION!!!

  • AGN has the right to refuse anyone who fails to follow the rules
  • AGN has the right to make all the final decisions

Four-race series with champion bird

  • 127 miles 09.16.2026 (Champion Bird)(Activation Race)
  • 167 miles 09.23.2026 (Champion Bird)
  • 205 miles 09.30.2026 (Champion Bird)
  • 330 miles 10.18.2026 (Champion Bird)
  • 400+ miles 10.25.2026 (optional)
    • Race dates are subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances
    • AGN has the right to cancel/adjust champion bird race series

General Rules

  • AGN does not take responsibility for any loss of birds due to illness, injury, or failure to return from training or races
  • All birds must be banded with a 2025 seamless band recognized by a National Organization (AU, IF, CU… etc.)
  • Accepting birds from February 9th to May 3rd
  • We will accept replacement birds till May 3rd
  • We are accepting 2,000 birds
  • All races will be open 72 hours after the time of the release
  • Deadtime: half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise
  • All participants must be 21 years of age or older 
  • AGN will be using Wincompanion for live clocking and Hayloft clocking system

American Grand National Activation (mandatory)

  • All birds must be activated within the race series to maintain eligibility for all birds on the team
  • Entry Fee for all birds is due after 129 mile HotSpot 1 (activation) race
  • Birds that arrive in the 72 hour race period on the 129 mile race must be activated  
  • Entry Fee must be paid if the bird ships to 167 mile HotSpot 2 race
  • AGN takes property of all birds that are not activated once the bird is shipped to 167 mile HotSpot 2 race

Refunded Payments

  • Entry Fee will be refundable if the bird doesnt ship to the 167 mile HotSpot 2 race
  • All True Grit 400+ entry fees will be refundable until 10.25.2026

Bird Management

  • All birds will be vaccinated with PMV Salmonella, POX, and Roto Virus upon arrival
  • The bird remains property of the breeder after the main event. NO Auction or Buy Backs
  • All birds will be equally managed, fed, medicated, and trained
  • A lighting system will be used by the AGN
  • All birds will have their 9th and 10th flight pulled

Teams/Syndicates

  • When Breeders sign up as a team or syndicate, only one person is deemed the Main breeder
  • In the event of a dispute, the Main breeder has the final say of what to do with the birds

Prize and Payout

  • All birds that are declared as first drop will have all prizes added together and divided equally, then by clocking order thereafter
  • If a bird does not clock and is known to have been in the drop, the bird will be entered as the last bird in that drop
  • In the event that no birds clock within 72 hours of the release time, all Entry Fee money will be equally distributed to the birds sent to that race minus 15%
  • If all prizes are not claimed within 72 hours of the release time, then the remaining prizes will be equally distributed amongst the winners minus 15%
  • W-9 form must be required for any winnings over $600
  • Payout is based on 1010 birds activated; any more or less birds, the payout will be adjusted by the number of birds activated

True Grit 400+ Entry (Optional)

  • Breeders have until 10.20.2026 to decide whether or not they send their birds to the True Grit 400+
  • All birds that are undecided after 10.21.2026 will be trained as if they are going to attend the True Grit 400+
  • Activation is due after the 330 mile final race
  • Activation must be paid 3 days prior to the birds being shipped
  • AGN takes 15% of the True Grit entry fee for race expenses
  • All birds are optional for the True Grit 400+

Return/Shipping

  • All birds will be shipped back to the breeders expense at the current USPS rate
  • All birds not claimed/accounted for within 10 days of the conclusion of the final race become property of the AGN

**By sending your birds to our race, you agree to these rules**