Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be open to geldings from next year after European Pattern Committee approves decision

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The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be open to geldings from next year after the European Pattern Committee (EPC) approved France Galop's decision to remove the restriction on one of the world's greatest races.

Board members at France Galop voted in June to remove the restriction on geldings, with a statement from the governing body at the time hailing it "a landmark decision".

Approval from the EPC was still required and, following a meeting held last month, the voting members approved the decision.

"The European Pattern Committee’s decision is an important milestone in the consultation and decision-making process initiated by France Galop,” said Guillaume de Saint-Seine, president of France Galop. 

"The EPC’s support confirms the soundness of our approach. Opening the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to geldings is driven by a straightforward objective: to ensure that France’s greatest race brings together the best horses – colts, fillies and, from 2027, geldings. 

"We are convinced that this change will make the race even more compelling on the track and further strengthen its international profile and media appeal.”

The Arc has become increasingly isolated among major all-aged Group 1s in denying geldings access, with the Prix Jacques le Marois the only other outlier in the French Pattern since the Prix du Moulin was opened to geldings in 2020.

The topic had gained traction in part due to the exploits of Goliath and Calandagan, both geldings trained by Francis Graffard but unable to take part in France’s greatest race. 

Following the France Galop vote in June, there was plenty of intense and animated debate over the Arc opening up to geldings. John Magnier, Andre Fabre and Aidan O’Brien were among the leading racing figures to voice their disappointment.

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