IRISH racing fared well in this week’s round of upgrades and downgrades announced by the European Pattern Committee.

As part of the EPC’s attempt to bolster the programme for stayers, the two-mile Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh in September has been raised to Group 3 status. The Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown in October for two-year-olds has had a similar upgrade.

Navan gets a new 13-furlong listed race for three-year-olds in May and, for sprinters, Navan also gets a new five and a half furlong listed race for two-year-olds in October. The Curragh too has gained a new listed sprint, a five-furlong race for three-year-olds and upwards in May.

Returning to the staying programme, the Goodwood Cup gets Group 1 status, while the Irish St Leger will have its prize-fund boosted to €500,000, an increase of 25%.

Royal Ascot’s Queen’s Vase has been upgraded to Group 2 status but the distance of the race has been trimmed from two miles to 14 furlongs.

The biggest loser in this week’s changes was Italian racing. Three of its remaining four Group 1 races have been demoted, and they have gone from seven such races to one within four years.

Two of Spain’s five listed races in 2016 have now lost that status. German racing continues to hold its own and will benefit from an upgrade to Group 2 for the two-mile Oleander-Rennen, and the addition of two new listed races over 14 furlongs.

Horse Racing Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh chairs the EPC.