All Pattern and listed races staged in Europe in 2021 were reviewed by the European Pattern Committee (EPC) at their annual meeting, which was held virtually on Friday, Jan. 21. The EPC sanctioned 851 black-type races (854 in 2021) to be held in Europe in 2022, of which, 425 were group races (427 in 2021) and 426 listed races (427 in 2021), a reduction of three on 2021.
Besides upgrading and downgraded races, the EPC also appointed Jason Morris, the Director of Racing at Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to replace outgoing EPC Chairman Brian Kavanagh, whose term ended on Jan. 31,2022. Morris will serve for a five-year term.
Kavanagh said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of the EPC and to work with a group of dedicated and passionate individuals. The strength of the European Pattern is reflected annually in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings and while its work is regulatory in nature, the Committee has overseen many positive initiatives in European racing, for example in relation to opportunities for top-class fillies and mares, the development of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, Qatar Prix de l'Arc weekend and QIPCO British Champions Day, the three-year-old sprint programme and opportunities for stayers.
“The authority of the Committee comes from the participation and buy-in of all of the major racing nations in Europe and is one of the best examples I know of international racing authorities working together towards a common objective.”
Kavanagh added, “The Committee has chosen wisely in selecting Jason Morris to take over the role as Chairman. He has great expertise in this area and a lifetime interest in the development of quality racing throughout Europe. I wish him and the entire Committee all the best in the future.”
Dominic Gardiner-Hill, Head of Handicapping for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Garry O'Gorman and Eric Le Guen, Senior Handicappers in Ireland and France respectively, are the EPC European nominees to the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee.
The EPC is also undertaking a full review of the progress made on developing and enhancing the black-type programme for the staying horse at its next meeting, which is scheduled for the summer of 2022. In addition, the EPC also agreed to new measures to aid the emerging racing nations in the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation to have the chance to stage a listed race, providing the race in question meets an agreed set of criteria.
The following changes were made to the Irish Pattern and listed races:
- Listed Silken Glider S. upgraded to Group 3 status
- Listed Savel Beg upgraded to Group 3 status
- G3 Vintage Crop S. downgraded to listed status
- G3 Diamond S. downgraded to listed status
- New six-furlong listed race for filles (3yo/up)
Across Europe, other countries' races were downgraded as follows:
- Germany:
- G2 Diana Trial downgraded to Group 3
- G3 Silberne Pietsche downgraded to listed
- Italy:
- Listed Citta di Napoli loses listed status
- Listed Archidamia loses listed status
- Listed Chiusura loses listed status
- Norway:
- G3 Oslo Cup downgraded to listed
- Sweden:
- Listed Stockholm Fillies' S. loses listed status
- Turkey:
- G2 Topkapi Trophy downgraded to Group 3
There are also a total of 41 Pattern and listed races that are at risk of potential downgrades in 2023 depending on their performance in 2022. These races are broken down by country as follows: GB (1), France (10), Germany (12), Ireland (3), Italy (14), and Turkey (1).
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