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Full press release from BHA regarding changes to the Pattern
DavidEuropean Pattern Committee announces changes to the 2017 European Programme
01/02/2017 @13:00:00ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN PATTERN COMMITTEE
At its annual meeting held on Monday 23 January, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) considered a number of changes to Flat Pattern and Listed races in Europe for 2017.
The committee debated a full agenda, including applications from each country to make changes to Black Type races for 2017. In addition, the EPC considered, in depth, the ongoing project pertaining to the staying horse and how the committee could play its part in helping to safeguard the future of the staying horse in Europe. As such, a number of exceptional enhancements to the Pattern and Listed race programme for stayers across Europe have been approved for 2017. These include:
Qatar Goodwood Cup at Goodwood (16f, 3yo+, 1 Aug) to be upgraded to Group 1
Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot (3yo only, 23 June) to be upgraded to Group 2 and its distance altered from 16f to 14f
Oleander-Rennen at Hoppegarten (16f, 4yo+, 14 May) to be upgraded to Group 2
Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh (16f, 3yo+, 24 Sept) to be upgraded to Group 3
Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown (9f, 2yo, 28 Oct) to be upgraded to Group 3
The creation of a new 3yo only 13f Listed race at Navan on 20 May
Two new 14 furlongs 4yo+ Listed races to be created in Germany – one on 16 April and one on 13 August
These upgrades demonstrate the appetite from the EPC for this long-term project to enhance the stayers’ programme, with a view to incentivising the breeding, owning and training of quality staying horses in Europe. The work has been led by a sub-committee of Britain, Ireland and France, which met a number of times during 2016 and whose work will continue during this year, with an aim to improve the stayers’ programme further, including a particular focus on fillies and mares.Brian Kavanagh, Chairman of the European Pattern Committee, said:
“The EPC has agreed that it remains vital, now more than ever, that Europe supports a strong programme for horses racing over extended distances. No other part of the world provides a meaningful programme of races for such horses and some appear to have almost given up altogether. Whilst the programme for stayers features some important races, it does not offer a Group 1 race over a distance in excess of 14½ furlongs between Royal Ascot and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting. We agreed that it would seem sensible to have a European Group 1 over two miles in the summer, and the historic Goodwood Cup is well-positioned in the year, and was felt to be the obvious candidate.
“We also agreed that the overall stayers’ programme needs to cement together well, with various other more minor gaps and enhancements which we’ve looked to address.
“A few years ago the EPC downgraded the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. The race serves a specific, and currently unique, purpose, but it was required to be downgraded automatically under the Ground Rules. This was an uncomfortable outcome, for all of us, but it helped to concentrate our minds on the need to develop greater depth to the pool of young stayers. The reduction in trip for the Queen’s Vase should help to make it more of a target for a greater number of quality young horses.
“The European programme needs to be ambitious enough to capture people’s attention and start to change behaviour, by making the breeding and buying of stayers a more attractive option. Our aim was to embrace a small number of meaningful enhancements to the Pattern for 2017, with scope for further developments in the years to come.”
In addition to the changes to the staying programme outlined above, the EPC agreed that a fundamental component of this project of trying to safeguard – and encourage – the future of the staying horse is to not only enhance the programme for them but to ensure that we protect the existing races. As such, no 13f+ Pattern race in Europe is to be downgraded (unless voluntarily) before 2022 (i.e. protected for minimum of 5 years from 2017), with the position to be reviewed thereafter.
Additionally, it was agreed to try to increase the prize money for the Group 1 staying events wherever possible; the Qatar Goodwood Cup will increase in value from £300,000 to £500,000, while the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger will be increased in value from €400,000 to €500,000. The objective is that all European Group 1 staying contests should become worth at least €500,000 as soon as possible.
Further upgrades and additions
In addition to the staying race enhancements above, the EPC also approved upgrades for three other Pattern or Listed races, as well as the creation of four new Listed races in 2017, as follows:
Further upgrades:
Mooresbridge (1 May, Naas, 4+, 10f) upgraded from Group 3 to Group 2
Alleged (9 April, Naas, 4+, 10f) upgraded from Listed to Group 3
Princess Royal (29 September, Newmarket, 3+ fillies & mares, 12f) upgraded from Listed to Group 3
New Listed races (2 in Britain, 2 in Ireland)
14 May, Curragh, 3+, 5f
3 June, Musselburgh, 3+ fillies & mares, 7f
22 September, Ayr, 3+ fillies & mares, 5½f
8 October, Navan, 2yo, 5½f
DowngradesFurthermore, 4 Pattern races and 6 Listed races were downgraded by the EPC following their 2016 renewals. This included the unfortunate demotion of three more Group 1 races in Italy.
The full list of downgraded races is as follows:
Pattern downgrades
Premio Vittorio di Capua (24 Sept, Milan, 3+, 1600m) downgraded from Group 1 to 2
Gran Premio del Jockey Club (15 Oct, Milan, 3+, 2400m) downgraded from Group 1 to 2
Premio Roma-GBI Racing (5 Nov, Rome, 3+, 2000m) downgraded from Group 1 to 2
Premio Chiusura (12 Nov, Milan, 2+, 1400m) downgraded from Group 3 to Listed
Races losing Listed status
Investec Woodcote (2 June, Epsom Downs, 2yo, 6f)
Grand Prix du Lion d’Angers (15 July, Le Lion d’Angers, 3yo, 2000m)
Sachsen Preis (15 July, Dresden, 3+, 1900m)
Silbernes Band (15 October, Cologne, 3+ 3850m)
Gobierno Vasco (20 August, San Sebastian, 3+, 1600m)
Gran Premio de la Hispanidad (12 October, Madrid, 3+, 1600m)
Speaking about the further downgrades to the Italian Pattern, Brian Kavanagh said:“It is extremely unfortunate that the quality of Italian racing continues in a downward spiral. We intend to engage in conversations with the Italian Ministry in order to ascertain how other European nations might be able to help and to offer advice where possible. Italy obviously has a lengthy and rich history within horseracing and breeding, and it is a sad loss to see the programme of Group 1 races there reduce from seven to one within the space of four years. We truly hope that circumstances will see this situation turn around in the future and that Italy will as soon as possible respect the 90 days limit for the payment of prize money.”
Quality Control / Races at Risk of Downgrading in 2018
Europe sets the high watermark around the world in terms of quality control of its Pattern and Listed races. In accordance with the Ground Rules – which have been strengthened a number of times in the last ten years – races that consistently underperform are identified as at risk of being downgraded, after which the host racecourse is put on notice that if the race fails to achieve the required performance rating then it could be subject to downgrade the following year. Under certain circumstances the downgrade will be automatic, with no opportunity for debate, and under other circumstances (depending on ratings) the race’s fate for that year will be the subject of a majority vote.
As a consequence of this monitoring, 16 races comprising eight Pattern races (one Group 1, three Group 2’s and four Group 3’s) and eight Listed races have been identified as being at risk of downgrade in 2018.
Timing alterations and name changes
Alongside the upgrades and downgrades, further minor alterations were made to the Black Type programme in terms of the switch of timing and/or venue for a number of races, particularly in the light of the impending redevelopment of the Curragh.
Other matters
The EPC agreed to nominate Phil Smith as Europe’s co-chairman on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee, Phil’s existing three-year term being due to expire at the end of January. The IFHA Executive Committee will be asked to ratify the proposal. Asia will nominate the other co-chair.
The committee also commenced a piece of work looking at the use of the fillies’ allowance across the European nations and whether there was scope for greater consistency.
They’ve tantalised us with this…
“As a consequence of this monitoring, 16 races comprising eight Pattern races (one Group 1, three Group 2’s and four Group 3’s) and eight Listed races have been identified as being at risk of downgrade in 2018.”
….but haven’t divulged publicly which races are at risk.
The baffling one is the Queen’s Vase which is hiked up to Gr2 from Listed status, by-passing Gr3. Not only that, its distance has been reduced from 16f to 14f.
They state they want to boost the staying programme but reduce the distance of this race, a race that offers a unique test (as they admit themselves) and a race that has thrown up two Gold Cup winners and a Leger winner in the last five years.
They also make the claim that the reduction in distance… “should help to make it more of a target for a greater number of quality young horses.”
18 runners last season, including that Leger winner.There is already a Gr 2 race over 12f in the King Edward VII Stakes (incidentally run on the same day as the Vase last season) so to have another of the same status over just 2f further for the same age group at the same meeting seems a little like overkill. I’m really disappointed with that change, the Vase has become one of my favourite races at the Royal meeting.
I’m sure Messrs Stoute, O’Brien, Johnston and Bin Suroor, who between them have exclusively milked the last 17 runnings, will be sad to see it go too.
So many complaints about prize money yet they stick another 200k on a 300k race which will very probably be won by connections who don’t care about the difference. Madness.
Anyone know where the massively increased prizemoney for the slowest flat horses in training, most of whom are gelded, is coming from??
Hopefully not the levy.
Great news for Musselburgh with a new Listed race on their ‘Derby Day’ card. Just reward for the hard work that has gone into dragging that racecourse up.
Second British Group 1 Stayers race is great idea.
Frankly, it is about damn time
Goodwood is the next big stayers race after Ascot Gold Cup, and it is unfair for the Gold Cup Winner to be expected to carry a Group 1 penalty over shorter distance . I am delighted that this got Group 1 status and proper money. £ 55,000 for the winner was disgraceful. I would have been happy if the alternative Group 1 was the York Longsdale, but, with Goodwood being traditionally part of the stayers championship, fair enough
I would love to see more emphasis and encouragement of the Stayers Triple Crown of Ascot GC, Goodwood and Doncaster Cup/or Irish St Leger. Perhaps a million quid bonus ? Though with memories of Ardross and recently Order of St George proving that Gold Cup horse can excel in the Arc……
Not crazy about the Ascot Vase being reduced, Mark Johnson has a point there (pointed out that it is unfair on stayers as middle distance horses might beat them for speed) and as that race has produced St Leger Winners and future Gold Cup Horses, leave it at 16f , leave it at Group 3 level. Delighted that it is back to being a group race though. Not sure it should be a Group 2 though either. What is the winner going to do in August when the York Volitgeur is on (I know that is 12f , but it is a good Leger Trial? , unfair to be given a penalty for winning a Group 2 in June. As someone already pointed out, there are already some decent Group 2 12 f races at Royal Ascot. Let the 3 year old horse be built up, Group 3, then Group 2, then a Group 1 (St Leger) without having to race with weight penalties. But, I suppose by June, it is unfair to expect 3 year olds to be able to run at 16f?. Hope it would be used as a useful trial for the St Leger,(Leading Light & Estimate) which , as we now know, British St Leger will NOT be clashing with the Irish Champions Weekend and has been scheduled for a week later so perhaps trainer and jockeys will treat the Leger with more respect. A three year old St Leger horse should be even a chance to race in meaningful stayers races at 4 if he does not really have it in him to win a 12 f race, and I understand that the Irish St Leger has also bumped up it’s purse, and no, it won’t be all about Stoute, O’Brien, Mullins …….Charlton has had a solid stayer who finally did the business this year.
Anyone know where the massively increased prizemoney for the slowest flat horses in training, most of whom are gelded, is coming from??
Hopefully not the levy.
Granted, most of the runners in last year’s race were geldings, but the following horses that either won or contended the Goodwood Cup or other big stayers races such as Ascot Gold Cup over the years were not geldings
Yeats, Order of St George, Brown Panther, Saddler’s Rock, Cavalryman, Leading Light, Fame And Glory, Millenary,Age Of Aquarius
Thanks, Twice Over. Your correct, I’m mistaken.
I’ve checked all the horses that have run in a Group 1 or 2 in the UK and Ireland since 2009 at two miles or more, and it turns out 70 of the 165 individual male horses that ran in those races were not gelded, some 42 percent.
Other than shortening the distance of the Queens Vase, I think that they have got this about spot on.
I would be interested to know which races are under threat / review. I see little point in stating that without giving them a warning and thereafter a chance to improve.
Shame about the effect on Italian racing but I cannot see any alternative.Other than shortening the distance of the Queens Vase, I think that they have got this about spot on.
I would be interested to know which races are under threat / review. I see little point in stating that without giving them a warning and thereafter a chance to improve.
Shame about the effect on Italian racing but I cannot see any alternative.Trying to find the list , from my memory, a few Irish races are now promoted to group races
The Epsom Investec Woodcote is loosing it’s listed status but Mussleborough is getting a Listed Race
The Italians are the biggest loosers in this.
Biggest Winners: Irish Racing and Goodwood and the staying division in general , bar the Vase as being reduced in distance outweights the huge jump in grade
All race distances require a blend of speed and stamina from its participants, nothing better or worse about any particular distance compared to any other.
If you want serious specialist speed, then look to quarter horses for that. A five furlong horse would look like a leaden-footer plodder compared to First Down Dash and his tribe of speedballs!
Coggy – I think they do give the racecourses notice about which races are under threat, they just don’t tell us, the people who pay for a goodly portion of the whole show.
Does anyone know where you can find a list of the people on the flat racing pattern committee making these decisions? I’m struggling to find a list anywhere.
Obviously they made a pigs ear with the Queen’s Vase which will have to be extended in distance again. Didn’t understand the logic of reducing it from 2 miles in the first place.
Obviously they made a pigs ear with the Queen’s Vase which will have to be extended in distance again. Didn’t understand the logic of reducing it from 2 miles in the first place.
Fairly straight-forward, Yeats. Horses stay further as they get older/mature/relax. Some stayers will need a mile at two, 1m2f by April in their three year old career, yet need at least 1m6f by September. Equally, 1m6f in mid-june is very much a staying race for three year olds. Even for many staying breds 2m in mid-June is thought of as too much of a test. Suspect it’s also partly psycoligical, connections see the “2m” and think it might “ruin” their promising stayer. ie Although you’d get some quality three year old stayers in a 2m Queens Vase you’d attract more of them in a 1m6f race… And that was what happened this year. I noticed far more horses with pre-race Timeform ratings nearer the 5 year average for a Queens Vase winner.
However, the start is now too close to the bend – causing trouble – be surprised if it isn’t 1m7f next year. Still shorter than the psycological 2m barrier.
Making it a Group 2 and the subseqent form of victor Stradivarious and 5th Desert Skyline, winning and placing in the now Group 1 Goodwood Cup; can also only encourage connections to run their good stayers in the Queens Vase.
Value Is Everything
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