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The Golden Eagle will become a Group 1 after a review by the Asian Pattern Committee, who also revealed they considered downgrading the Victorian Derby.
The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) announced on Friday that ‘’it wishes to provide an update on the implementation of special processes relating to black type races in Australia, and to advise of recent decisions based on the results of races run between August and December 2025’’.
The APC took control of the main decision making for the pattern in late 2025 at the behest of the ARF.
The APC, on Friday, revealed their review, which included upgrading and downgrading a number of races.
Racing NSW was the biggest winner from the review, with the $10 million Golden Eagle elevated to Group 1 status.
The Concorde Stakes, Kingston Town Stakes, City Tattersall’s Lightning Stakes and Craven Plate were all elevated from Group 3 to Group 2.
The Spring Preview, Chautauqua Stakes, Poseidon Stakes, Cap d’Antibes Stakes, Heritage Stakes, Reginald Allen Quality and Starstruck Classic were all upgraded from listed to Group 3.
Of the new Group races, The Invitation and Russell Balding Stakes are now Group 2 races while the Alan Brown Stakes, ATC St. Leger Stakes and The Gong are now Group 3 races.
Controversially, the ARF considered downgrading the time honoured Group 1 Victoria Derby, but decided to let it remain as it is for now.
The ARF also considered to downgrade The Metropolitan and Railway Stakes but again, left them untouched.
The Tapp-Craig Stakes, Rosehill Gold Cup and Big Dance were part of a number of races to now have listed status.
A full list of the decisions can be found here.
These changes, which were communicated to Racing Australia in July, which they accepted.
The Asian Racing Federation, in a statement, said it envisaged that the APC’s control of the pattern is only temporary.
‘’The ARF would like to reiterate that the APC making all decisions on Black Type races in Australia is intended only as a temporary measure. The ARF has been clear on the requirement that Racing Australia establish a functioning system operating in accordance with the APC Ground Rules, and will provide a further update when it is considered appropriate for the above arrangements to end (or any other necessary actions to be taken by the ARF if such a system is not established),’’ it said.
