European Pattern Committee chairman Jason Morris issued a cautionary note as his panel’s changes to the program were announced Feb. 13, with the total number of black-type races to be staged throughout Europe declining 1.4% from 838 in 2023 to 826 in 2024.
The EPC sanctioned 415 group races, down from 418 in 2023; and 411 listed races, down from 420 in 2023.
“The European Pattern Committee continues to enforce the most stringent international quality- control measures so that the racing and breeding industries can have the utmost confidence in the quality of European black type,” he said. “However, this also reflects a worrying overall decline in the ratings of European black-type races, with an increasing number of races coming under review and many 3-year-old races in particular struggling to achieve their required parameters.
“The reported increasing exports of quality horses overseas is of concern to the EPC, and the major European racing nations are committed to working together to ensure the continued production and retention of sufficient high-class horses to sustain our domestic and international programs, with a particular focus on the middle-distance and staying-race areas.”
There was scarcely disguised frustration from the British Horseracing Authority Flat Pattern Committee when its bid to have two races promoted to group 1 status was rejected.
The European Pattern Committee could not agree to the necessary unanimous support for the upgrading of the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day or the City of York Stakes at the Ebor Festival.
The committee’s media release responding to the news on the City of York said: “Britain’s desire for a domestic group 1 race over seven furlongs has been a long-term, well-publicized ambition, so it is with great disappointment that the race has not been upgraded.”
BHA director of International racing and development Ruth Quinn said: “After more than a decade of building towards Britain’s first seven-furlong group 1 in the City of York Stakes, with the open encouragement of the EPC, the race achieved the required rating parameter in 2023. Sadly, however, it seemed the committee could not support this upgrade unanimously at this time.”
Quinn then said the BHA would continue to campaign for both races to be upgraded.
“We remain hopeful of working with the committee to demonstrate why our ambition would be of collective benefit to the European Pattern, in the same way as we will for the Long Distance Cup on Qipco’s British Champions Day in order for that, too, to become a long-awaited and much-deserved group 1 race,” Quinn said. “We in Britain continue to believe that European racing is stronger on the worldwide stage when we work together.”
The most significant change to the Pattern race program in 2024 is a downgrading of the Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp from group 1 to group 2. The Saint-Alary has averaged a rating of 108.43 across its past four runnings (not counting the 2020 Covid-affected season)—more than 2 1/2 pounds below the required mark of 111 for a group 1 for 3-year-old fillies. The race was subjected to a vote requiring a majority rather than unanimity.
France Galop deputy director general Henri Pouret said: “The demotion of the Prix Saint-Alary to group 2 level is particularly frustrating, but the rules governing quality control are clearly defined.
“This obliges us to conduct a thorough review of listed and group races which have not attained sufficient ratings over the last few years. The president of France Galop, Guillaume de Saint-Seine, recently decided to establish a committee concerned specifically with French listed and group races.”
The biggest change to the British Pattern program was the deletion of the Sovereign Stakes (a group 3 race at Salisbury), Ganton Stakes (listed, York), and Scarbrough Stakes (listed, Doncaster).
British races at potential risk of downgrade depending on their performance in 2024 are the group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock, and group 3 Chester Vase.
Addressing the fear of quality horses leaving Europe, Quinn said: “The Pattern Committees have much to contribute within the wider strategy for the sport, particularly in terms of incentivizing the continued production and retention of sufficient high-class horses to uphold our place on the international stage.
“The particular focus on the middle-distance and staying horses must continue. Our Pattern remains strong, but there are some distinct signs of fraying in certain areas and the industry needs to address these with some urgency.”