Issued on behalf of the European Pattern Committee
At its annual meeting held on Thursday 23 January at the offices of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in London, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) discussed a number of changes to Flat Pattern and Listed races in Europe for 2020.
Following the meeting Brian Kavanagh, Chair of the EPC, said:
“Modest changes were the order of the day as the EPC approved a total of 427 Group and 426 Listed races to be run on the flat in Europe this year. The quality of the European programme was noted and while numerous races may have qualified for upgrade on their ratings, the changes were limited to 3 new Group 3 and 3 new Listed races.
“A similar number of races were downgraded including two Group 2 races in Germany. The Committee agreed to a change of the distance of the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère on Arc weekend on a two year trial basis and noted that France will be undertaking a full review of its two year old programme.
“The Committee approved further changes to its ground rules to improve quality control throughout Europe and noted with regret the continuing difficulties in Italian racing.”
- Upgrades and new racesThe Committee approved upgrades for 3 Pattern races and 3 new Listed races in 2020.Races listed by date, handle, racecourse/country, age/sex and distance.
| Upgraded from Listed to Group 3 | ||||
| 23/05/2020 | Marble Hill | Curragh, IRE | 2yo | 6f |
| 24/07/2020 | Valiant | Ascot, GB | 3yo+ f | 8f |
| 16/08/2020 | Francois Boutin | Deauville, FR | 2yo | 1400m |
| New Listed Races | ||||
| 22/07/2020 | TBC | Naas, IRE | 2yo f | 5f |
| 11/10/2020 | Peas & Carrots Mile AWT | Jagersro, SWE | 3yo+ | 1600m |
| Dec-20 | TBC AWT | Deauville, FR | 3yo+ | 2500m |
- Downgrades
A similar number of races were also downgraded for 2020, i.e. 3 Pattern races and 5 Listed races.
Races listed by date, handle, racecourse/country, age/sex and distance.
| Downgraded from Group 2 | ||||
| 21/07/2019 | Meilen Trophy | Dusseldorf, GER | 3yo+ | 1600m |
| 25/08/2019 | Goldene Peitsche | Baden-Baden, GER | 3yo+ | 1200m |
| Downgraded from Group 3 | ||||
| 25/08/2019 | Polar Cup | Ovrevoll, NOR | 3yo+ | 1370m |
| Downgraded from Listed | ||||
| 23/05/2019 | Coupe de Trois Ans | Lyon-Parilly, FR | 3yo | 2400m |
| 15/08/2019 | Copa de Oro | San Sebastian, SPA | 3yo+ | 2400m |
| 25/08/2019 | Norsk Derby | Ovrevoll, NOR | 3yo | 2400m |
| 06/10/2019 | Norsk Jockeyklubs Sprintlob | Ovrevoll, NOR | 3yo+ | 1170m |
| 20/10/2019 | Duque de Toledo | Madrid, SPA | 3yo+ | 2400m |
- Quality Control / Races at Risk of Downgrade in 2021
In accordance with the EPC Ground Rules, races that underperform consistently are identified as at risk of downgrade, after which the host racecourse is put on notice that if the race fails to achieve the required performance rating, it could be downgraded the following year.
As a consequence of this monitoring, 28 races comprising 14 Pattern races (3 Group 1s, 7 Group 2s and 4 Group 3s) and 14 Listed races have been identified as being at risk of downgrade in 2021. A list of the Group 1 and 2 races which are at risk of downgrade is below.
Races listed by country, date, handle, racecourse, age/sex and distance.
Group 1 and Group 2 races at risk of downgrade in 2021
| France | ||||
| 01/05/2019 | Greffuhle | Saint-Cloud | 3yo c & f | 2100m |
| 16/06/2019 | Hocquart | Chantilly | 3yo c & f | 2400m |
| 30/06/2019 | Eugene Adam | Saint-Cloud | 3yo | 2000m |
| 26/10/2019 | Criterium de Saint-Cloud | Saint-Cloud | 2yo c & f | 2000m |
| Germany | ||||
| 09/06/2019 | Diana Trial | Berlin-Hoppegarten | 3yo f | 2000m |
| 07/07/2019 | Deutsches Derby | Hannover | 3yo c & f | 2400m |
| 31/08/2019 | T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis | Baden-Baden | 3yo+ f | 2400m |
| 22/09/2019 | Europa | Cologne | 3yo+ | 2400m |
| Italy | ||||
| 19/05/2019 | Derby Italiano | Rome | 3yo c & f | 2200m |
| Turkey | ||||
| 08/09/2019 | Topkapi Trophy | Veliefendi | 3yo+ | 1600m |
- EPC Rules
The Committee agreed that the Ground Rules under which the EPC operates will incorporate some amendments, with immediate effect, such that the quality control of black type races across the EPC countries is tightened even further.
- Italian Racing
The Committee received a report from Dr Paull Khan of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation on the situation regarding Italian horse racing and an ongoing EMHF inspection process. The Committee noted that the situation had not changed by any meaningful margin from the previous year and reaffirmed its decision that Italy remain as an associated member of the European Pattern Committee with no voting rights.
- French Programme for Two-Year-Olds
The Committee considered a number of proposals regarding the French two-year-olds programme, which will see the Group 1 Jean Luc Lagardere revert to its previous distance (pre-2015) of 7 furlongs, whilst the Group 1 Criterium International will revert to 8 furlongs, both as part of a two-year trial. France-Galop will also be undertaking a full review of the situation for two-year-olds in France.
