THE DECISIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PATTERN COMMITTEE WITH APPRECIATION FOR THE "ITALIAN STYLE"

As is well known, the International Pattern Committee (EPC, which stands for European Pattern Committee) met in Paris on Friday, 7 February. The situation regarding the rating of the various international races was analysed. The general situation at the moment was difficult for many group or listed races. As a result, the EPC reduced the number of so-called ‘Black Type’ races to 814 compared to 826 in 2024. Of these, 411 are group races (were 416) and 403 listed (were 410).
Particular attention was paid to the situation of the Italian gallop. The work carried out over the last 12 months by our institutions was appreciated, with the various measures both in terms of reforms (see the VAT issue), and in terms of speeding up payments, for which a further step forward is awaited, to the point that the infringement procedure that had previously been opened was closed without consequences and, precisely as a sign of appreciation and trust in the work carried out, the status of almost all the races that envisaged a majority vote was ‘saved’, including Derby, Parioli, Lydia Tesio and others. Practically only the Gran Criterium had to be relegated from group 2 to group 3. Obviously nothing could be done, on the other hand, for those races that were destined for mathematical relegation. Across Europe, five group races and 12 listed races were downgraded.
On the other hand, the restructuring plan for some of the best races on our calendar presented by the Italian envoys was particularly appreciated. Among the proposals accepted unanimously was that of postponing the Derby by a couple of weeks and moving it to 2 June, which, it is hoped, could contribute to a revival of our ‘Nastro Azzurro’, as well as the postponement of the Oaks by two weeks with the reduction of the distance to 2100 metres.
 

These then are the measures issued on the subject of the downgrading of the various European races
 

FRANCE
1. Group 2 Gros-Chene (Chantilly) relegated to Group 3;
2. Listed Prix Ceres (Fontainebleau) loses its Listed status.
 

GERMANY
1. Listed Diana Trial (Baden-Badenloses Listed status;
2. Listed Grosser Preis der Hannoverschen Volksbank (Hannover) loses its Listed status.
 

IRELAND
1. Group 3 Amethyst (Leopardstown) relegated to Listed.
 

ITALY
1. Group 2 Gran Criterium (Milan) relegated to Group 3;
2. Group 3 Premio Primi Passi (Milan) relegated to Listed;
3. Listed Seregno (Milan) lost its Listed status;
4. Listed Mario Incisa della Rocchetta (Milan) loses Listed status;
5. Listed Nogara Memorial Mil Borromeo (Milano) loses its Listed status;
6. Listed Gran Premio d'Italia (Milan) loses its Listed status;
7. Listed Merano loses Listed status;
8. Listed Conte Felice Scheibler (Rome) loses its Listed status;
9. Listed Rumon Mem. Porcu (Rome) loses Listed status;
10. Listed Criterium of Pisa loses Listed status;
11. Listed Piazza Dei Miracoli (Pisa) loses its Listed status.
 

TURKEY
1. Group 3 International Istanbul Trophy (Veliefendi) downgraded to Listed.

OUTLOOK FOR 2026
There are 22 Grouped and Listed races at risk of potential downgrade in 2026 depending on their rating in the current year here is their distribution by country:
Great Britain - 2
France - 1
Germany - 6
Ireland - 2
Denmark - 1
Italy - 9
Turkey - 1
As can easily be seen, therefore, the great work that has been done so far, also at a diplomatic level, has in fact contributed to limiting the relegation of some key races in the Italian galloping calendar (at least half a dozen have been saved), on which, however, great care must be taken in the current year to avoid what could be an automatic and therefore non-negotiable relegation in 2026. With this in mind, Masaf is about to launch a series of changes to the calendar and to the equipment of some of these races precisely to make them more attractive also to foreign operators and to seek, where possible, a prospect of ‘advancement’.