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What do you think are the reasons for Long Distance Cup not being promoted to Group 1 (again) by EPC for 2024 while them still keeping Royal-Oak as Group 1? I’m a big fan of French racing, but objectively Prix Royal-Oak isn’t Group 1 race anymore while Long Distance Cup should be Group 1. I don’t get why they voted to downgrade Saint-Alary rather than Royal Oak, I’d say Saint-Alary had better fields than Royal Oak in recent years, in my opinion you shouldn’t just blindly follow the 115 or higher rating over three years formula. Plus the voting system of EPC is a bit flawed too – you need unanimous agreement to upgrade a race, but just simple majority to downgrade a race – should be the same for both. I had a thought about this all and I’d personally prefer if there was a fixed set of Group and Listed races for let’s say 5 year period and after the 5 years there would be a review and changes to the blacktype programme and this would repeat after every 5 year cycle. With this fluid system where races get downgraded very easily every year, but at the same time it’s extremely difficult to promote even the races that meet the ratings criteria set by the very same EPC (City of York), we might end up with just a handful Group races as years go by compared to now, just look what happened to Italy – yes the quality of Italian racing has objectively gone down over the years, but EPC has been hacking their races down like crazy – https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/opinion/italy-could-be-wiped-off-european-racing-map-unless-pattern-committee-takes-a-pull-avgx77M5g541/
“we might end up with just a handful Group races as years go by compared to now”
That sounds like a good idea, as the Pattern has resembled Japanese Knotweed ever since it was first introduced.
As for the Long Distance Cup, maybe it’s just a committee with some traditional ideas about race names – this one is mundane with a capital ‘M’.
But does it really matter whether it’s Group 1 or Group 2? Upgrading it won’t change a single thing about the race itself, it’s already run at level weights with the same prize money as the two following Group 1 races (Sprint and Mares). The only difference would be bigger penalties for the winner in the staying races before Royal Ascot the following season.
It is now hard to believe there was not an unofficial agreement when the Long Distance Cup was first originated into the European Pattern… I believe the french must have only agreed to the Ascot race if it never became a Group 1 and / or the Royal Oak never lost its Group 1 status. The two races being so close together in the calendar. Otherwise I don’t see any reason for the current situation.
I suppose moving the Royal Oak back would clash with the Cadran… And – as a race open to three year olds and upwards – bringing it forward clashes with the English and Irish St Legers; as well as the French three year old Group 2 Chaudenay… While it is important for all types of horse to be represented on Champions Day. So moving either race is difficult.
Value Is EverythingDidn’t the Cadran used to be run far earlier in the season? Now it’s run on Arc weekend, with the Royal-Oak not long after…..plus the Long Distance Cup (which was the Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket).
Common sense should apply, and spread them out a little – but horse racing & common sense never go together.
Ah yes Andy, sorry I got that wrong.
Makes moving the French St Leger (Royal Oak) closer to the English and Irish versions… As well as the Chaudeny and Cadran which are on the same day of Arc Weekend even more difficult. Trouble is the French would want a natural progression from the Chaudenay 3yo Group 2 to the 3yo+ Royal Oak anyway.So…
Maybe move both the Cadran and the 3yo only Chaudaney to Deauville in late August (replacing the 3yo+ Kergorlay) and move the Kergorlay to June.
Have the Royal Oak on Arc weekend where the Chaudenay and Cadran were…
So the Cadran comes between the Goodwood Cup and Long Distance Cup / Royal Oak and would not adversely affect the 3yo stayers programme? The French would then have a Group 1 stayers race in the middle of their season too.Would that work?
Or do the French love their mid-season break too much?Value Is Everything
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