The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) wishes to advise of recent decisions regarding the black type status of various races, effective for the 2026/27 racing season.
At its meeting on 3 September 2026, the Asian Pattern Committee (APC) considered applications and noted reports submitted by member and associate member countries. The APC subsequently made recommendations to the ARF Executive Council, which have now been approved.
The full set of upgrades, additions and downgrades is set out below. Relevant decisions have also been reported by the ARF to the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, which is responsible for subsequent reporting to the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA), prior to publication in the International Cataloguing Standards (ICS) Book 2027. Relevant decisions on races in countries that are not in Part I of the ICS Book have been ratified by SITA.
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Hong Kong
• HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (3yo+, 1200m) – non-black type to G3
New Zealand
• Counties Challenge Stakes (2yo, 1100m) – L to G3
• Chittick Family Fillies Classic (3yo, 1100m) – non-black type to L
• Wakefield Challenge Stakes (2yo, 1200m) – G2 to G3
• Auckland Cup (3yo+, 3200m) – G2 to G3
• Triton Stakes (2yo, 1200m) – L to non-black type
South Africa
• KZN Guineas (3yo, 1600m) – G2 to G1
• Gatecrasher (2yo, 1400m) – L to G3
UAE
• HH The President Cup (3yo+, 1400m) – L to G3
• Al Marmoom Stakes (4yo+, 2810m) – non-black type to L
• UAE Oaks (3yo F, 1900m) – G3 to L
Bahrain
• Bahrain Gold Cup (3yo+, 2000m) – non-black type to L (in Part II ICS Book)
Qatar
• HH The Amir Trophy (4yo+, 2400m) – G2 to G1
• Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (4yo+, 1600m) – L to G3
• Dukhan Sprint (3yo+, 1200m) – non-black type to L (in Part II ICS Book)
• Al Rayyan Mile (3yo, 1600m) – non-black type to L (in Part II ICS Book)
