The City of York Stakes is confirmed to be held as a Group Two race in 2024, following an unsuccessful attempt to upgrade it to the prestigious Group One status.
Despite significant efforts in recent years, including the race meeting the required rating in 2023, the European Pattern Committee did not reach a unanimous decision to elevate its status.
This decision is noteworthy as the race would have been the sole top-level contest at the seven-furlong distance in Britain. Additionally, the committee chose not to reclassify the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot as a Group One event. Ruth Quinn, the director of international racing and development at the British Horseracing Authority, expressed disappointment and conveyed hopes of collaborating with the committee to demonstrate the collective benefits of upgrading both the City of York Stakes and the Long Distance Cup.
As part of recent changes, three races voluntarily withdrew from the black type program: the Group Three Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury, and the Listed races, Ganton Stakes at York, and Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster. Furthermore, three prominent British races, namely the Group One Commonwealth Cup, the Temple Stakes, and the Chester Vase, face potential downgrades based on their performance in 2024.
The article also mentions the Prix Saint-Alary in France, which will be downgraded to Group Two level. Overall, the number of Pattern and Listed races is declining from 852 in 2022 to 826 in 2024, causing concern for Jason Morris, the chair of the European Pattern Committee.
He emphasises the committee's commitment to maintaining the quality of European black-type races amidst challenges such as declining ratings and increased exports of quality horses overseas. The major European racing nations are dedicated to working together to ensure the sustainability of domestic and international programs, with a specific focus on middle-distance and staying races.