Italy is set to have no internationally-recognised Group races from next year after a meeting of the European Pattern Committee resulted in the nation being axed from black-type accreditation.

A previous meeting of the EPC led to Italian racing authorities being informed that all outstanding prizemoney due to international owners had to be paid by the end of March.

That condition has not been met, meaning Italy will cease to be a member of the EPC from January 1, 2015.

“It is extremely regrettable that the committee has had to take this course of action,” EPC chairman Brian Kavanagh said.  “The only circumstances in which the committee could reconsider this decision would be in the event of total compliance with all of the conditions previously set, including those in relation to arrears due to Italian based owners and the implementation of a new system of payment for current and future races.

“This is entirely a matter for the Italian authorities to address.  However, it is questionable whether there is even a functioning racing authority in Italy, as racing is now overseen by the Department of Agriculture.

“Italy has a proud racing tradition, and nobody wants to see something like this happen,” Kavanagh added.  “But there comes a point when writing letters is no longer enough.”