The British Horseracing Authority’s Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) has today confirmed changes to the Flat Pattern and Listed race programme for 2026, following ratification by the European Pattern Committee (EPC).
The FPC was pleased to endorse the Pattern-related changes to the race programme at the Epsom Derby Festival from 2026, as announced by the Jockey Club at the end of 2025. The more than doubling of the prize money for the Group 1 Coronation Cup – which will now be run on the Saturday – so that the race will be run for £1m from this year, alongside the first ever £2m Derby are particularly positive enhancements to this fixture. The transfer of the Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes from Haydock Park (7f, 4yo+) to Epsom – renamed as the Tattenham Corner Stakes – was also approved by the committee.
Another black type race on the move is the Listed Further Flight Stakes, which transfers to Musselburgh’s Easter Saturday fixture and becomes the Goliath Cup (14f, 4yo+). This race offers an important launchpad into the Flat season for Pattern-class staying horses, and the FPC is grateful to Musselburgh racecourse for hosting the race.
Other changes to note for this year were some tactical adjustments to the age conditions for a handful of races. These changes are an attempt to create differentiation where similar race opportunities exist within close proximity and support the development of slower maturing three-year-old middle-distance horses. The Group 3 Winter Hill (10f) and Listed August Stakes (12f) being run on the same card at Windsor in late-August has long felt sub-optimal, particularly on those occasions when these races take place on the same day as the Group 3 Strensall Stakes (9f, 3yo+) at York. To alleviate that duplication of opportunities, it has been agreed to push the Winter Hill back by one week and amend the race to three-year-olds only, with the August remaining in situ and adjusting to four-year-olds and upwards. Similar rationale applies for switching the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket (12f, late-September) to three-year-olds only in tandem with the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot (12f, early-October) becoming the older horse race.
The FPC also approved an application from York racecourse to change the name of the Group 2 race formerly known as the 1895 Duke Of York Stakes (6f, 3yo+, mid-May), which will now be named the Minster Stakes, and also supported the movement of the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield Park (7f, 3yo-only) back to its traditional Saturday slot this year (28 February).
Unfortunately, the Spring Cup will be one of three British black type races at potential risk of downgrade next year depending on their performance in 2026. The Spring Cup’s Listed status will be removed by the EPC if the race does not reach the required annual parameter this year, after failing to reach the mark for two consecutive years. The Group 2 status of the Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, 2yo, late-September) was maintained by the EPC for this year following a unanimous vote, however the race will need to achieve its annual parameter this year else be downgraded automatically in 2027. Finally, the Listed National Stakes at Sandown Park (5f, 2yo, late-May) will be downgraded if the race’s three-year average rating following this year’s renewal is more than 2lb below its parameter for a second consecutive year.
Significant increases to minimum values for Britain’s Flat Pattern and Listed races at all levels have been welcomed by the committee, with these races expected to offer more than £2m in additional prize money this year. The FPC is hopeful this investment in our best races will help bolster the production and retention of high-quality horses in Britain.
BHA’s Director of International Racing and Development, Ruth Quinn, said: “Relatively minor adjustments to the British Flat black type programme this year, but some important changes nonetheless and we are grateful for the support of racecourses who have collaborated with the Flat Pattern Committee on those amendments.
“Following the annual Pattern and Listed race review by the European Pattern Committee it was reassuring to note the strength of race ratings in Britain in 2025, with most races above the expected quality control parameter and none being downgraded this year. We hope Britain’s three races at risk of downgrade in 2027 are supported and achieve the necessary standard this year to maintain their place in the black type programme.
“The progress made with minimum values for Pattern and Listed races in 2026 is commendable, but necessary if we are to remain internationally relevant at the highest level. The Flat Pattern Committee will continue to support industry efforts to boost the supply chain of high-quality horses in Britain and to increase the volume of such horses being raced and retained in Britain.”
Notes to editors:
1. Flat Pattern Committee members:
- Lydia Hislop (C)
- Emma Berry
- Jeremy Brummitt
- Gina Bryce
- Simon Crisford
- William Haggas
- Ed Harper
- Richard Norris
- Ruth Quinn
- Kate Sigsworth
- Nick Smith
- Nicholas Wrigley
2. For more information, see the Committees page of the BHA website.
