Europe will see two fewer group I events in 2016, from 87 in 2015 to 85, following a number of changes to group and listed races approved by the European Pattern Race Committee at its Jan. 18 meeting.
Downgraded from group I to group II were a pair of races in Italy: the Gran Premio di Milano and the Presidente Della Repubblica.
The committee approved upgrades for six group races and four new listed races in 2016, and five group races and nine listed races were downgraded following their 2015 renewals. Overall, two group races were added to the European program in 2016 and there are seven fewer listed races, bringing the black-type total to 846 races, compared with 851 in 2015.
Additionally, 30 races comprising 14 group races and 16 listed races have been identified as being at risk of downgrading in 2017. Group I events facing the possibility of a downgrade in 2017 is the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp and three races in Italy: the Vittorio di Capua, Jockey Club, and Roma.
"The quality of Europe's black-type program remains strong and it was pleasing to note that six of the 10 highest rated races in the world, as announced by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities on Tuesday are staged in Europe," said Brian Kavanagh, chairman of the European Pattern Committee. "2016 will see 413 group and 433 listed races run in Europe, a decrease of five black-type races overall."
European Pattern and Listed Races Upgrades/Downgrades
Upgraded from Group III to Group II
26/06/16 - Curragh Cup, Curragh, IRE 3yo+ 14f
17/07/16 - Minstrel, Curragh, IRE 3yo+ 7f
Upgraded from Listed to Group III
14/05/16 - Aston Park, Newbury, GB 4yo+ 12f
17/09/16 - Bertrand De Tarragon, Maisons-Laffitte, FR 3yo+ f 1,800 meters
19/08/16 - City of York, York, GB 3yo+ 7f
28/08/16 - Flame Of Tara, Curragh, IRE 2yo f 8f
New Listed Races
18/05/16 - As yet unnamed, Ayr, GB 4yo+ f 10f
12/10/16 - As yet unnamed, Bath, GB 3yo+ f 14f
May 2016 - As yet unnamed, Venue TBC, IRE 3yo 6f
22/07/16 - Her Majesty's Plate, Down Royal, IRE 3yo+ 14f
Downgraded from Group I to Group II
29/05/16 - Gran Premio di Milan, Milan, ITY 4yo+ 2,400m
(Change of date from 07/06/15 and change of condition from 3yo+)
08/05/16 - Presidente Della Repubblica, Capannelle, ITY 4yo+ 1,800 meters
(Change of distance from 2,000 meters)
Downgraded from Group II to Group II
29/05/16 - Carlo Vittadini, Milan, ITY 3yo+ 1,600 meters
Downgraded from Group III to Listed
16/10/16 - Omenoni, Milan, ITY 3yo+ 1,000 meters
03/05/16 - Pramms Memorial, Jagersro, SWE 3yo+ 1,730 meters
(Change of date from 12/05/15)
Downgraded from Listed
Georges Trabaud Marseille Borely, FR 3yo 2,000 meters
Policeman Cagnes-Sur-Mer, FR 3yo 2,000 meters
Contessina Fontainbleau, FR 3yo+ 1,200 meters
Preis Der Dreijahrigen, Dusseldorf, GER 3yo 1,500 meters
Nereide Renne Munich, GER 3yo+ f 2,000 meters
Coppa d'oro di Siracusa, Siracusa, ITY 4yo+ 2,300 meters
Criterium Partenopeo, Naples, ITY 2yo 1,500 meters
Semb Hovedgard Hoppelop, Overvoll, NOR 3yo+ f 1,800 meters
Svenskt Derby, Jagersro, SWE 3yo 2,400 meters
