The European Pattern Committee has approved adjustments to the 2026 European Flat black type race programme, including upgrades, new races, and venue shifts. Britain's Flat Pattern Committee endorsed specific enhancements to the Epsom Derby Festival and other domestic races. These changes aim to improve race quality and spacing amid concerns over horse supply.
The European Pattern Committee (EPC), at its meeting on 5 February in Rome, reviewed 2025 races and sanctioned 811 black type races for 2026, down from 814 the previous year. This includes 409 Group races and 402 Listed races. Notable upgrades include the Prix Paul de Moussac in France elevated to Group 2 status and Germany's Bavarian Classic also upgraded to Group 2.
Five new Listed races were added: France's Prix Esotérique for fillies and mares at ParisLongchamp; a Deutsches Derby trial at Dortmund, Germany; Ireland's Firville Stakes for two-year-old fillies at Cork; Italy's Premio Emanuele Filiberto at Milan; and Sweden's Jägersro Sprint. The Golden Fleece Stakes in Ireland will upgrade to Group 1 in 2026, extending to 9 furlongs.
In France, several Pattern races shift to a Thursday night at ParisLongchamp on 21 May to attract younger audiences, including the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan and Prix Vicomtesse Vigier. Other dates adjust, such as the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud moving to 5 July. Italy relocates early-year races to Milan due to Capannelle's closure until September.
Britain's changes, ratified by the BHA’s Flat Pattern Committee, feature the Epsom Derby Festival enhancements: the Group 1 Coronation Cup prize money doubles to £1m on Saturday, alongside a £2m Derby. The Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes moves to Epsom as the Tattenham Corner Stakes. The Listed Further Flight Stakes transfers to Musselburgh as the Goliath Cup.
Age conditions adjust for differentiation: the Group 3 Winter Hill becomes three-year-olds only, delayed a week; the Listed August Stakes for four-year-olds and up; the Listed Godolphin Stakes for three-year-olds; and the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge for older horses. York's Group 2 race renames to Minster Stakes, and Lingfield's Listed Spring Cup returns to 28 February.
Four Pattern races and three Listed races face downgrades in 2026, mainly in Italy and Scandinavia. Twenty-two races risk downgrade in 2027 based on 2026 performance, including three in Britain: the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield, Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury, and Listed National Stakes at Sandown Park.
Minimum values for Britain's Pattern and Listed races increase, adding over £2m in prize money. EPC Chair Jason Morris stated: “The EPC has reduced the number of scheduled black type races for a fifth year in a row... This reflects the collective responsibility that the EPC member countries share towards enforcing quality control.” BHA’s Ruth Quinn added: “Relatively minor adjustments to the British Flat black type programme this year, but some important changes nonetheless.”
