Italian racing has received the go-ahead this year, at least as far as European rated pattern races are concerned. These are no longer under threat, though they were to have been taken away last year without replacement, in connection with the non-payment of prize money.

The situation has now improved, however, and the commission has been convinced that the basis exists in Italy for obligations to be met in the future. The Italian group races have been approved, with the proviso that the situation will continue to be watched. The commission also approved some adjustments to the classification of races based on the level of some past races.

In Germany, the Badener Meile has Group 2 status for this year, but some Listed races have lost their status, including the Kronimus Rennen at Baden Baden.

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Translated from the Czech-language Dostihový svět website.

The issue of pattern races has been discussed in the December 2014 and January 2015 newsletters on this site. We do not yet have enough Czech-trained horses of sufficient class to be able to put on black type races of our own here, and our top horses on the flat and over classical hurdles and fences run most of their races abroad. Group races in Italy, Germany and France are increasingly being targeted by our very best horses, which are good enough to add quality to the fields for these races.