The European Pattern Committee (EPC) has revealed details of substantial changes to the European sprint race programme from 2015.
The aim seems to be to create a high-class, competitive sprint dedicated sprint programme for younger horses to help them compete with their international rivals.
Part of the changes will include the running of a new Group 1 race over six furlongs for three-year-olds only at Royal Ascot.
Chairman of the EPC Brian Kavanagh explained:
“The strategic objective in reviewing the sprint programme was to implement measures that will have a long-term, positive impact, delivering meaningful benefits both for European racing and for the European horse population.
“For horses performing at every distance other than sprinting, the European Pattern provides a three-year-old only programme until mid summer ... there is a definite lack of top class European three-year-old sprinters."
"... we have introduced a limited number of Pattern races restricted to three-year-olds in the first half of the European season, culminating in a new Group 1 race at Royal Ascot, and secondly, we have sought to deliver a more balanced overall sprint programme, providing better opportunities and greater incentives to run high class sprinters in Europe."
“We acknowledge the steps we have taken are bold, some may consider them radical. However, the Committee believes they are warranted and that they will be of considerable benefit to European horseracing and breeding.”
