The downgrading of a pair of German Group 2s and a distance changes for two key French 2-year-old races were among the outcomes of the European Pattern Committee's annual meeting at the British Horseracing Authority offices on Jan. 23.
Germany was hit hardest in the quality control realm, its Meilen Trophy and Goldene Peitsche downgraded from Group 2 status, and the G1 Deutsches Derby, G1 Preis von Europa, G2 Diana Trial and G2 T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis all put on notice for risk of downgrading in 2021. France was issued a warning for four races-the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud and Group 2 Prix Greffulhe, Prix Hocquart and Prix Eugene Adam. Turkey's G2 Topkapi Trophy is at risk, as is Italy's G2 Derby Italiano. The committee also determined that Italy shall remain as an associated member of the European Pattern Committee with no voting rights.
Norway's G3 Polar Cup was the only other pattern race downgraded, and five listed races in France (1), Spain (2) and Norway (3) lost their listed status.
France's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International will shorten to distances of seven furlongs and eight furlongs, respectively, as part of a two-year trial. France-Galop announced it will undertake a full review of the French 2-year-old programme.
One race each in Britain, Ireland and France were upgraded to Group 3 status: Ascot's Valiant S. for fillies and mares over a mile; The Curragh's Marble Hill S. going six furlongs for 2-year-olds and Deauville's Francois Boutin for 2-year-olds over 1400 metres. Naas gains a new listed race for 2-year-old fillies over five furlongs at the end of July; Deauville adds a listed race for 3-year-olds and up over 2500 metres on the all-weather in December and Jagersro gets a listed race for 3-year-olds and up over a mile in October.
“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,” said EPC Chair Brian Kavanagh. “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 three new Group 3 and three 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 G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc weekend on a two-year trial basis and noted that France will be undertaking a full review of its 2-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.”
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