Qatar Goodwood Cup and
Ascot’s Queen Vase upgraded
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and British
racing have welcomed the European Pattern Committee
(EPC)’s approvals for its applications to upgrade prominent
stayers’ races across Europe, and provided an update on its
long-term plans to safeguard the future of the Flat staying
horse in British racing.
These include a bolstering of the overall Black Type
programme for the stayer in Europe, underpinned by
substantial investment in prize money, and supported by
further enhancements at grass-roots level.
As part of the plans, the Qatar Goodwood Cup has been
upgraded to Group 1 status, while the Queen’s Vase at the
Royal meeting has been the subject of an exceptional upgrade
from Listed to Group 2, and its distance has been altered to
14 furlongs. Both races will be receiving substantial prize
money boosts, and these upgrades are supported by further,
complementary, enhancements to the stayers’ Black Type
programme across Europe.
Moreover, it has been agreed that no 13 furlong-plus Pattern
race in Europe is to be downgraded (unless voluntarily)
before 2022.
As part of their long-term financial investment, Qatar has
committed to match fund further increases in prize money
and the Group 1 Qatar Goodwood Cup will now be run for a
total prize fund of at least £500,000.
BRITISH RACING REACTS TO ENHANCEMENTS TO THE
STAYERS’ AND FILLIES AND MARES’ PROGRAMMES
Alex Eade, General Manager of Goodwood Racecourse, said:
“Elevating the Qatar Goodwood Cup to Group 1 status is
something that we have been very keen to happen for a
number of years and we are very grateful to the BHA and EPC
for supporting and approving the proposal.
Alongside the other changes made to the Pattern, we hope
that our race will now cement its position as part of a high-
profile programme for stayers across Europe and provide yet
another tantalising clash of the generations on the beautiful
summer turf of the Sussex Downs.
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“There will be some other changes to the programme of races
during the Qatar Goodwood Festival, which have also been
approved by the BHA and the EPC, and which will bring a
better balance to the week and create a specific focus for each
individual day, all part of our ambitious plan to deliver the
best raceweek experience in the world.
These changes will include switching the Group 1 Qatar
Goodwood Cup to the opening day of the Festival on the
Tuesday, positioning the Group 1 Qatar Nassau as the
principal race on the Thursday, and moving the Group 3
Gordon Stakes to the Saturday. This will help us to grow
attendances where we have capacity, which is not just
beneficial to Goodwood, but also supports racing’s objective
of building its audience and profile. With our long term
partnership with Qatar we are also able to significantly
increase the prizemoney on offer this season and it is an
important point that this new money will not just sit at
the top end but trickle down to the grassroots of our race
programme. The two ends of the sport do not exist in
isolation and an ecosystem needs a balanced approach to
ensure all parts of it remain healthy supporting the whole.”
Nick Smith, Director of Racing Communications for Ascot
Racecourse, said:
"We are pleased to be playing our part in the new, enhanced
stayers' programme. At Group 2, and at the reduced trip, the
Queen's Vase will hopefully become a true, quality race for
developing stayers. It provides, amongst other things, a more
coherent pathway to the newly promoted Group 1 Qatar
Goodwood Cup, where the Gold Cup winner can now run
penalty free.
"The sprinting programme was radically enhanced in 2015
and the BHA and the European Pattern Committee have once
again shown vision and flexibility in addressing issues within
the stayers division."
In addition, the BHA’s Racing Department has invited
applications from racecourses to stage additional high-value
three-year-old only staying handicaps – as well as to boost
the value of the existing three-year-old only handicaps over
14 furlongs,12 furlong maiden races and additional sire-
restricted two-year-old maidens, and longer-distance two-
year-old races, to encourage horsemen to support the staying
breed at each stage of such horses’ development.
Consideration will also be given as to how the Plus 10 bonus
scheme might be developed over time to help influence this
issue.