The European model committee (EPC) announced on Tuesday that it approved the upgrade of four races of group 2 to the status of Group 1, including the City of York Stakes. Traditionally, it will be the second all seven-furgong races of Group 1 in Europe at the York Ebor Festival together with the Prix de la Forèt in October.
The remaining upgrades of Group 1 were all with the continued Pan-European focus of the EPC on the middle route and the enduring horse. In Great Britain, the British Champions Long Distance Cup in Ascot was upgraded on the four existing races of Group 1 at the British Champions Day, while France is improved the Prix Vomtesse Vigier in Parislongchamp and offers an earlier opportunity for the stay of horses in spring.
Finally, in Ireland, the golden fleece for two -year -olds in Leopardstown at the Irish Champions Weekend for 2026 is upgraded to the status of Group 1, together with an enhance in the racetrack of eight Furlongs on nine Furlongs. The advanced notification of this upgrade should give the participants time to draw attention to the change and to give the race the best chance of success from the first year and then the best chance of success.
Another upgrade was approved in France, with the Prix d'Aumale in Parislongchamp in September over a mile for adolescent Fillies and was replaced by group 3 on group 2. The EPC also sanctioned five novel lists throughout Europe, including the introduction of a youth competition entitled The Pat Smullen Stakes, which was managed in honor of the nine -time Champion Flat Jockey in Ireland. The race will be staged in Naas in early July.
The EPC ratified a total of 814 black races, from 826 in 2024, which included 411 group races (416 in 2024) and 403 races (410).
The races lowered for 2025 are as follows:
France
- Group 2 Gros-Cheene (Chantilly) downgraded to group 3
- Listed Prix Ceres (Fontainebleau) loses the specified status
Germany
- Listed Diana Trial (Baden-Baden) loses the specified status
- Listed Grand Prize of the Hannoversche Volksbank (Hanover) Loses Listed Status
Ireland
- Group 3 Amethyst (Leopardstown) downgraded to the listed ones
Italy
- Group 2 gran criterion (Milan) downgraded to group 3
- Group 3 Prime Steps Prize (Milan) downgraded to the list
- Listed Seregegno (Milan) loses the listed status
- LISED Mario Incisa della Roccchetta (Milan) loses the listed status
- Listed Nogara Memorial Mil Borromeo (Milan) loses the listed status
- Listed Gran Premio d'Italia (Milan) loses the listed status
- Listed Merano loses the listed status
- Listed Conte Felice Scheibler (Rome) Loses Listed Status
- Listed Rumon Mem. Porcu (Rome) loses the listed status
- Listed criterion di Pisa loses the listed status
- Liste Piazza dei Miracoli loses the listed status
turkey
- Group 3 International Istanbul Trophy (Veliefendi) downgraded to the listed
Additional changes
France has also made a strategic decision to bring four black races together, which effectively removes four races of this kind from the country's program. It is most noteworthy that the G1-Prix Jean Romanet will now open for three-year-olds after it was previously confined to mares and mares at the age of four after the G2 Prix Alec-Kopf in Deauville was removed in August. Group 2, formerly known as the Prix de Pomone, is renamed Prix Alec Head.
In the meantime, the G3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte has effectively merged with the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange, which will now be open to older horses. As part of similar actions, two events listed were also removed, which hopes to improve competitiveness and strengthen the overall program in France.
The French program will also see a date change for the G1 Prix Vermeille, G2 Prix Niel and G2 Prix Foy, all of which are made to seven days. This enables an additional preparation week for ARC competitors, while it was also known that the G1 Prix du Moulin, which was staged on the same card in Parislongchamp, increased its value for € 800,000 this year.
In Ireland it was agreed that the G3 Anglesey Stakes should exchange the data with the G2 railways (both at the Curragh), which should make a better progress through the pattern for two-year-olds. Another remarkable change is a later date for the G2 Derby Italiano in Rome, which changes from mid-May to Juni a national holiday in Italy.
'Risk' race for 2026
Depending on 2025, a total of 22 patterns and listed races have a possible downgrade in 2026. This includes the G2-Mill Reiff inserts in Newbury, which are operated for two year olds. According to the nation, the distribution of races is as follows:
- Great Britain – 2
- France – 1
- Germany – 6
- Ireland – 2
- Denmark – 1
- Italy – 9
- Türkiye – 1
Explanation from the chair
Jason Morris, Chairman of the EPC, said: “The European model committee has approved some significant upgrades this year. Four novel races in Group 1 strengthen our international program at the highest level. It is particularly significant for the EPC that three of these upgrades refer to the residence horse, an area in which European races have exceeded so long and in which we have undertaken to protect ourselves with a Pan-European approach.
“The EPC found that earlier efforts only achieved confined successes to keep our top stays in Europe in the face of sturdy export market opportunities. The promotion of the Vicomtesse Vigier in France and for 2026 the golden fleece in Ireland is part of a complementary package of changes to the development races for the stay of horses in these two countries after similar measures have already been introduced in Great Britain. Our most significant European equestrian athletes not only concentrate on a top-down approach, but also carry out various strategic interventions within the broader racing program to ensure the continued production and storage of sufficient high-class horses to keep up with our domestic and international programs A special focus on the medium distance and the stay of race areas. “
He continued: “However, it is significant to note that a further reduction in the number of patterns and the races listed throughout Europe will be reduced this year. EPC continues to relieve the downward pressure on the racing values.
“The EPC regularly checks its basic rules and have agreed that a 2LB of lower valuation parameters will in future apply to three -year races, which reflects the position adopted by the Asian model committee and will probably become the international standard. When agreed on this change, the EPC has noticed the sinking evaluation of three-year breeds internationally in recent years and believes that the symptoms behind this trend must be taken into account, the underlying causes identified and then the solutions within the EPC member countries are looking for have to become and global. “
York reaction
William Derby, managing director and employee of the course on the York RaceCourse, said: “We are pleased that all the demanding work, support and investment in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes was rewarded by increasing to the highest race level. Group 1 Status.
“I am very cheerful to confirm that the only all-age group of the Great Britain over seven Furlongs for a record price fund of 600,000 GBP is operated-a thrust of 100,000 GBP for the renewal of last year. The York Race Committee has repeatedly shown its commitment to high quality races. Therefore, we are thrilled to have a fourth group 1 at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, all of which can enjoy. “
Youth competition added to the Qipco British Champions Day
In addition to the upgrade of the British Champions Long Distance Cup, which will offer increased prize money of 500,000 GBP this year, Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday that the program on the program on the program was increased to £ 250,000. The event of SIX-Furlong conditions, which is to be led to all two-year-olds and without punishment, will open the card, with the total value of the meeting in 2025 pounding at £ 4.35. Further details on the novel race will be published later in the year.
It also became known for fame.
Rod Street, Managing Director of the British Champions Series Circumscribed (BCSL), the company responsible for the Qipco British Champions Day, said: “It is fantastic to organize five races in Group 1 on this day, and our thanks go to the BHA for securing the transport from the long -haul cup.
“A valuable two -year breed has long been an endeavor to us and our sponsor. We look forward to having created a novel race and we can develop in the coming years. Our intention is to secure the pattern status for the race as soon as possible, and we will work with the BHA to achieve this. “
He added: “The series was helpful to create the focus on the street that led to the Qipco British Champions day, especially in the first few years, but his profile and purpose were replaced by two recent assets: Club 26 and The Hall of Fame. “
