City of York Stakes and Long Distance Cup upgraded to Group 1 level this year as part of European Pattern review

The City of York Stakes and the Long Distance Cup have been upgraded to Group 1s as part of a raft of changes made by the European Pattern Committee (EPC).

William Derby, York’s chief executive, said he was “thrilled” by the promotion of the City of York Stakes, run over seven furlongs, to Group 1 status after years of investment, and added that this year’s race would be worth £600,000, an increase of £100,000 on 2024.

The upgrading of the Long Distance Cup on Qipco British Champions Day has been done as part of the EPC’s “continued pan-European focus on the middle-distance and staying horses”, with the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp in May also boosted to Group 1 level this year.

Alan King welcomed news of an upgrade in status for the Long Distance Cup, which his Trueshan has won three times. He said: "It's been a Group 1 race in everything bar title since its inauguration. There are no penalties, it has Group 1 prize-money and the top stayers run in it." 

The Champion Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown during the Irish Champions Festival, won last year by Green Impact, has also been approved to be a Group 1 in 2026 when the race’s distance will also be increased from a mile to nine furlongs.

Jason Morris, EPC chair, 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 [Champion Juvenile Stakes] 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.”

The total number of stakes races has been reduced to 814 from 826, with five fewer Group races taking place and seven fewer Listed races. The most notable changes have come in Italy, where nine races have lost Listed status.

Green Impact wins the Champions Juvenile Stakes, which will become a Group 1 in 2026Credit: Patrick McCann

However, five new Listed races have been created in France, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Italy, while changes have also been made to the racing calendar. This includes bringing forward Arc Trials day in France by a week and swapping the dates of Ireland’s Anglesey and Railway Stakes.

In Britain, the Listed Fred Archer Stakes has been renamed the Charlie Woods Stakes after moving to Beverley and the Listed Rothesay Stakes will now be run at Haydock after Ayr handed back the contest.

The elevation of the City of York Stakes to Group 1 makes it just the second top-level seven-furlong contest in Europe for older horses in line with the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc day.

Derby said: “We are thrilled that all the hard work, support and investment in the City of York Stakes has been rewarded by its elevation to the highest level of racing. The York Race Committee has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to high-quality racing, so we are thrilled to have a fourth Group 1 at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival.”

While the City of York Stakes and the Long Distance Cup were promoted, the EPC said that the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury and the Listed National Stakes at Sandown were at risk of being downgraded.

Last year, the EPC put the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, the Group 2 Temple Stakes and the Group 3 Vase on watch for potential downgrade, but none of the races are listed for potential demotion in 2026.

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