The European Pattern Committee (EPC) announced on Tuesday that it has approved the upgrade of four Group 2 races to Group 1 status, including the City Of York Stakes. Traditionally run at York’s Ebor Festival in August, it will become the second all-aged seven-furlong Group 1 race in Europe, alongside the Prix de la Forèt at ParisLongchamp in October.

The remaining Group 1 upgrades were all related to the EPC’s continued pan-European focus on the middle-distance and staying horse. In Britain, the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot was upgraded to join the four existing Group 1 races on British Champions Day, while France will see the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp upgraded, offering an earlier Group 1 opportunity for staying horses in the spring.

Finally, in Ireland, the Golden Fleece for two-year-olds at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend will be upgraded to Group 1 status for 2026, in tandem with an increase in race distance from eight furlongs to nine furlongs. The advanced notification of this upgrade is intended to allow time for participants to become aware of the change and to give the race the best chance of success from year one and thereafter.

One further upgrade was approved in France, with the Prix d’Aumale at ParisLongchamp, run over a mile for juvenile fillies in September, upgraded from Group 3 to Group 2 status. The EPC also sanctioned five new Listed races across Europe, including the introduction of a juvenile contest titled the Pat Smullen Stakes, run in honour of the nine-time champion Flat jockey in Ireland. The race will be staged over a mile at Naas in early-July.

The EPC ratified a total of 814 black-type races, down from 826 in 2024, comprising 411 Group races (416 in 2024) and 403 Listed races (410).

The races which have been downgraded for 2025 are as follows:

France

• Group 2 Gros-Chene (Chantilly) downgraded to Group 3
• Listed Prix Ceres (Fontainebleau) loses Listed status

Germany

• Listed Diana Trial (Baden-Baden) loses Listed status
• Listed Grosser Preis der Hannoverschen Volksbank (Hannover) loses Listed status

Ireland

• Group 3 Amethyst (Leopardstown) downgraded to Listed

Italy

• Group 2 Gran Criterium (Milan) downgraded to Group 3
• Group 3 Premio Primi Passi (Milan) downgraded to Listed
• Listed Seregno (Milan) loses Listed status
• Listed Mario Incisa della Rocchetta (Milan) loses Listed status
• Listed Nogara Memorial Mil Borromeo (Milan) loses Listed status
• Listed Gran Premio d’Italia (Milan) loses Listed status
• Listed Merano loses Listed status
• Listed Conte Felice Scheibler (Rome) loses Listed status
• Listed Rumon Mem. Porcu (Rome) loses Listed status
• Listed Criterium di Pisa loses Listed status
• Listed Piazza Dei Miracoli loses Listed status

Turkey

• Group 3 International Istanbul Trophy (Veliefendi) downgraded to Listed

Additional Changes

France has also taken a strategic decision to merge four black-type races, which effectively removes four races of that type from the country’s programme. Most notable is that the G1 Prix Jean Romanet will now be to open to three-year-olds, having previously been restricted to fillies and mares aged four and above, following the removal of the G2 Prix Alec Head at Deauville in August. The Group 2 contest formerly known as the Prix de Pomone will be renamed as the Prix Alec Head.

Meanwhile, the G3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte has effectively merged with the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange, which will now be open to older horses. Two Listed events have also been removed as part of similar action, which is hoped will improve competitiveness and strengthen the overall programme in France.

The French programme will also see a change of date for the G1 Prix Vermeille, G2 Prix Niel and G2 Prix Foy, which will all be brought forward by seven days. This will allow an extra week of preparation for Arc contenders, while it was also announced that the G1 Prix du Moulin, staged on the same card at ParisLongchamp, has had its value increased to €800,000 for this year.

In Ireland, it has been agreed that the G3 Anglesey Stakes should swap dates with the G2 Railway Stakes (both at the Curragh), which should create better progression through the Pattern for two-year-olds domestically. Another noteworthy change is a later date for the G2 Derby Italiano in Rome, which moves from mid-May to June 2–a national holiday in Italy.

‘At Risk’ Races for 2026

A total of 22 Pattern and Listed races will be at risk of potential downgrade in 2026, depending on their performance in 2025. They include the G2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, run over six furlongs for two-year-olds. By nation, the spread of races is as follows:

• Britain – 2
• France – 1
• Germany – 6
• Ireland – 2
• Denmark – 1
• Italy – 9
• Turkey – 1

Statement from the Chair

Jason Morris, chair of the EPC, said, “The European Pattern Committee approved some significant upgrades this year, with four new Group 1 races strengthening our international programme at the highest level. It is particularly important to the EPC that three of these upgrades are relating to the staying horse, an area that European racing has for so long excelled in, and one in which we are committed to safeguarding with a pan-European approach.

“The EPC noted that previous efforts have only achieved limited success in retaining our top stayers in Europe in the face of strong export market opportunities. The promotion of the Vicomtesse Vigier in France and, for 2026, the Golden Fleece in Ireland are part of a complementary package of changes to developmental races for staying horses in those two countries, following similar measures already introduced in Britain. Our major European horseracing nations are not merely focused on a top-down approach, but are also implementing various strategic interventions within the wider racing programme to ensure the continued production and retention of sufficient high-class horses to sustain our domestic and international programmes, with a particular focus on the middle distance and staying race areas.”

He continued, “However, it is important to note that this year will see another reduction in the number of Pattern and Listed races to be staged throughout Europe, with the total number having been reduced from 852 races in 2022 to 814 in 2025. The EPC continues to enforce the most stringent international quality control measures so that the kitemark of excellence that European black type provides is protected, whilst attempting to identify possible remedies for a declining quality horse population and alleviate the downward pressure on race ratings.

“The EPC reviews its Ground Rules regularly and has agreed that a 2lb lower rating parameter will in future apply for three-year-old-only races which mirrors the position adopted by the Asian Pattern Committee and is likely to become the international norm. In agreeing this change, the EPC noted with concern the declining ratings of three-year-old races internationally in recent years and believes that the symptoms behind this trend need to be considered, the underlying causes identified and then solutions sought within the EPC member countries and globally.”

York Reaction

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York Racecourse, said, “We are thrilled that all the hard work, support and investment in the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes has been rewarded by its elevation to the highest level of racing, Group 1 status.

“I am delighted to confirm that Britain’s only all-age Group 1 over seven furlongs will be run for a record prize fund of £600,000–a boost of £100,000 on last year’s renewal. The York Race Committee has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to high quality racing, so we are thrilled to have a fourth Group 1 at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival for everyone to enjoy.”

Juvenile Contest Added to QIPCO British Champions Day

In addition to the upgrade of the British Champions Long Distance Cup, which will offer increased prize-money of £500,000 this year, Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday that a new £250,000 race for two-year-olds has been added to the programme on British Champions Day. The six-furlong conditions event, open to all two-year-olds and to be run without penalties, will open the card, taking the total value of the meeting to £4.35 million in 2025. More details about the new race will be released later in the year.

It was also revealed that the British Champions Series will cease from this year, with the priority of the business being delivery of the day itself, progressing Club 26–the racing club for 18-26-year-olds–and the expansion of The Hall of Fame.

Rod Street, chief executive of British Champions Series Limited (BCSL), the company responsible for QIPCO British Champions Day, said, “It’s fantastic to now have five Group 1 races on the day and our thanks go to the BHA for securing the promotion of the Long Distance Cup.

“A valuable two-year-old race has long been an aspiration of ours and our sponsor. We are delighted to have created a new race and one we can develop in the years to come. Our intention is to secure Pattern status for the race as soon as possible and we will be working with the BHA to achieve that.”

He added, “The Series was helpful in creating focus on the road that led to QIPCO British Champions Day, especially in the early years, but its profile and purpose have been superseded by two newer assets: Club 26 and The Hall of Fame.”