At its annual meeting held on 20 January, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) considered the impact of the global pandemic on the programme of Pattern and Listed races across Europe.
The committee recognised that the various impacts of Covid-19, and the concomitant changes to the Pattern race programme, had doubtless altered the structure and rhythm of campaigning for the best racehorses in 2020.
In the light of the extraordinary circumstances, and the numerous knock-on effects, the EPC agreed that there would be a moratorium on any upgrading or downgrading of Pattern or Listed races for 2021.
The annual race ratings for 2020 will not be used to compile three-year average ratings for any Pattern or Listed race in the usual way. In effect, 2020 will be treated as a ‘gap-year’ in terms of the EPC’s processes utilised in the assessment of each race’s overall performance.
Races which were at risk of possible downgrade in 2021 will receive a stay this year, but will remain at risk and be assessed at the beginning of 2022 in the light of this year’s renewal.
Press release