On Tuesday, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) revealed their changes to flat blacktype races in the 2025 programme. The changes include a number of updates to the Irish flat programme, as well as a Group 1 upgrade for the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown from 2026.

The juvenile contest at the Irish Champions Festival was last year won by the Jessica Harrington-trained Green Impact, while earlier winners include Auguste Rodin, Australia and Zoffany. The race will also increase from a mile to nine furlongs, and its upgrade is part of the EPC’s continued pan-European focus on the middle distance and staying horse.

Their focus has also seen two other races upgraded to Group 1 status; the Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day and the Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp. Separately, the City Of York Stakes will also become a Group 1 in 2025.

Pat Smullen Stakes

Ireland will benefit from a new listed race for two-year-olds in 2025, the Pat Smullen Stakes, which will be run over a mile at Naas in early July. The Group 3 Anglesey Stakes and the Group 2 Railway Stakes, both held at the Curragh, will switch places in the calendar.

While Leopardstown have been rewarded with a Group 1 upgrade, the track’s Amethyst Stakes has been downgraded from Group 3 to listed level. Two Irish races are at risk of downgrade, depending on their performance in 2025.

The number of blacktype races in Europe will drop from 826 in 2024 to 814 in 2025, with five less group races and seven less listed races.

Jason Morris, Chair of the European Pattern Committee, said: “The European Pattern Committee approved some significant upgrades this year, with four new Group 1 races strengthening our international programme at the highest level. It is particularly important to the EPC that three of these upgrades are relating to the staying horse, an area that European racing has for so long excelled in, and one in which we are committed to safeguarding with a pan-European approach.

“The EPC noted that previous efforts have only achieved limited success in retaining our top stayers in Europe in the face of strong export market opportunities. The promotion of the Vicomtesse Vigier in France and, for 2026, the Golden Fleece in Ireland are part of a complementary package of changes to developmental races for staying horses in those two countries, following similar measures already introduced in Britain.

“Our major European horseracing nations are not merely focused on a top-down approach, but are also implementing various strategic interventions within the wider racing programme to ensure the continued production and retention of sufficient high-class horses to sustain our domestic and international programmes, with a particular focus on the middle distance and staying race areas.

“However, it is important to note that this year will see another reduction in the number of Pattern and Listed races to be staged throughout Europe, with the total number having been reduced from 852 races in 2022 to 814 in 2025. The EPC continues to enforce the most stringent international quality control measures so that the kitemark of excellence that European black type provides is protected, whilst attempting to identify possible remedies for a declining quality horse population and alleviate the downward pressure on race ratings.

“The EPC reviews its Ground Rules regularly and has agreed that a 2lb lower rating parameter will in future apply for 3yo-only races which mirrors the position adopted by the Asian Pattern Committee and is likely to become the international norm. In agreeing this change, the EPC noted with concern the declining ratings of 3yos races internationally in recent years and believes that the symptoms behind this trend need to be considered, the underlying causes identified and then solutions sought within the EPC member countries and globally.”