Magnier against decision to open Arc to geldings

John Magnier believes “most of the purists” would be against the proposal to open up the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to geldings from 2027.

Staged on the first Sunday in October, the ParisLongchamp showpiece attracts some of the best horses from around the world, but the decision to bar geldings from the race has been the subject of debate for several years.

Board members at France Galop “overwhelmingly” voted to remove the restrictions from 2027 at a meeting on Monday, meaning the European Pattern Committee will now need to approve the change for it to be ratified.

Coolmore supremo Magnier, who has enjoyed two victories in Europe’s premier middle-distance contest as a part-owner – with Dylan Thomas in 2007 and Found in 2016 – is of the opinion that the proposed change is not a good one, however.

Speaking after seeing Benvenuto Cellini win the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, Magnier said: “I hope they don’t let the geldings into the Arc. I think most of the purists would be against it.

“There are two sides to every coin but I’m only giving it from the breeding side and from the breed as a whole. The Arc is one of the real races and it won’t be any more if you include geldings.

“My father-in-law (Vincent O’Brien) used to always say that if he was training a yard of geldings the bookmakers would be in worse trouble!”