Horse Racing Ireland welcomes confirmation that the European Pattern Committee (EPC) has approved the upgrade of the Golden Fleece Stakes for two-year-olds at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Festival in mid-September to Group 1 status for 2026. The distance of the race will increase from 8 furlongs to 9 furlongs with advance notification of this upgrade designed to give it the best chance of success from year one and thereafter.
The EPC also sanctioned a new two-year-old Listed opportunity in 2025 over 8 furlongs at Naas in early-July which will be known as the Pat Smullen Stakes, in which horses will receive similar allowances to those in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series.
As part of its commitment to the production and retention of middle-distance and staying horses in Europe, and following on from the introduction of races such as the Marble City, Vinnie Roe and Yeats Stakes and the Spring Median Series (culminating in the Gowran Classic), Horse Racing Ireland will review the opportunities, including for auction and median auction horses, for two-year-olds at 8 furlongs and beyond later in the season.
Additionally, to create better progression through the Pattern for two-year-olds in Ireland the EPC has agreed that the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes should swap dates with the Group 2 Railway Stakes. A number of other date and condition changes for other races (outlined below) have also been agreed.
Jonathan Mullin, Director of Racing at Horse Racing Ireland, said: “The welcome upgrade of the Golden Fleece Stakes by the EPC is a continuation of efforts to promote the production of stamina, and is part of a suite of Irish measures – some already in place – to assist that strategic ambition.
“The Group 1 Golden Fleece will, in 2026, be an option for staying two-year-olds on better ground than is likely in late October for the Futurity Stakes, the Criterium De Saint-Cloud and the Criterium International, but will also act as a lead-in to these three races, many of which are being won and heavily populated by Irish-trained runners.
“On a similar vein the new Listed race, the Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas in July, feeds into that strategic policy around producing and retaining quality middle-distance and staying horses, and it is fitting that the newest addition to the Irish Pattern roster should be named in honour and in memory of one of our finest riders.”
UPGRADE- Golden Fleece Stakes to be upgraded in 2026 from Group 2 to Group 1 with the distance increasing from 8f to 9f.
NEW LISTED RACE- Pat Smullen Stakes for 2yo’s over 8f to be held at Naas on July 5th with Median allowances for sires.
CHANGE OF NAME- Park Stakes has been renamed as the Weld Park Stakes.
CHANGES OF DATES & DISTANCES
Anglesey Stakes & Railway Stakes- Anglesey Stakes to swap date with the Railway Stakes and will now be on Irish Derby weekend.
- Railway Stakes to swap date with the Anglesey Stakes and will now be on Irish Oaks weekend.
Athasi Stakes & Cornelscourt Stakes- Athasi Stakes amended from G3, 7f, 3yo+ fillies to G3 1m, 3yo only fillies.
- Cornelscourt Stakes amended from G3, 1m, 3yo only fillies to G3, 7f, 3yo+ fillies.
Blue Wind Stakes, Naas Oaks Trial Stakes & Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes- Blue Wind Stakes to swap date with the Naas Oaks Trial Stakes and will now be on June 25th.
- Naas Oaks Trial Stakes to swap date with the Blue Wind Stakes and will now be on May 10th.
- Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes amended from Listed, 1m 1.5f, 3yo+ to Listed, 1m 1.5f, 4yo+ fillies.
Cairn Rouge Stakes & Rathbride Stakes- Cairn Rouge Stakes amended from Listed, 1m 3yo+ fillies to Listed, 1m 3yo only fillies.
- Rathbride Stakes amended from G3, 1m 1f, 3yo+ fillies to G3, 1m 2f, 4yo+ fillies.
Listowel Stakes & Navigation Stakes- Listowel Stakes amended from Listed, 1m 1f, 3yo+ to Listed, 1m, 3yo+.
- Navigation Stakes amended from Listed, 1m, 3yo+ to Listed, 1m 2f, 3yo only.
Early Season Date Changes- Gladness Stakes now on March 29th.
- Noblesse Stakes now on April 6th.
- Park Express Stakes now on April 12th.
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADE- Amethyst Stakes has been automatically downgraded from Group 3 to Listed.
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