THE decision by France Galop to allow geldings to compete in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from 2027 has generated much pearl-clutching horror, and the only time I’ve seen more fallout from the opening of an Ark was when René Belloq brought the wrath of God on himself in that Indiana Jones movie. And that was a close-run thing.

“It’s only a matter of time before Willie Mullins wins it with a hurdler,” wailed some of the nay-sayers, while the less hysterical pointed out that having geldings running in, and winning the ‘Arc’ would be damaging to the prospects of the would-be stallions who are beaten in the race by a horse with no breeding potential. Think of the damage to the breed, they plead.

The same people are more than happy that the ‘Arc’ embraces fillies and mares, even though the stallion-making nature of the contest is equally damaged if the best colt in the field is beaten by a filly or by a gelding. While a leading stallion may cover 250 mares in a season, even the most brilliant mare can produce just the one foal each year, so victory for a filly against the colts is virtually as damaging for the breed as is a victory for a gelding, if defeat at Longchamp is indeed the blow that it’s claimed to be.

A horse who wins the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, but can only finish second to an outstanding gelding in the ‘Arc’, would not lose much credibility as a sire, and the idea that such a scenario would be disastrous to the breed is arrant nonsense.

Up in arms

Had the mighty Cirrus Des Aigles been allowed to compete in the 2012 ‘Arc’, John Magnier and co. would have been up in arms, given the damage that defeat for Camelot to Corinne Barande-Barbe’s six-year-old would have done to his reputation. Thankfully for Mr Magnier, Cirrus Des Aigles was barred, and Camelot finished seventh behind Solemia.

Blowing out at Longchamp, however, did not ruin Camelot’s prospects as a stallion, as he had already proved his credentials as a dual classic winner, and is now the sire of multiple classic winners. I dread to think which breeders avoided Camelot as a match for their mares because he failed to win at Longchamp, and it hardly matters what did beat him.

The best example of how the ‘Arc’ doesn’t make or break a stallion is Sadler’s Wells, who was a top-class and teak-tough performer who nonetheless was defeated in almost half of his races - including when finishing eighth behind Sagace on his final outing in the 1984 ‘Arc’ - before going on to prove himself the best European-based sire of the modern era.

Make no mistake about it - breeders are not fools and would rather have a Sadler’s Wells over a Shareef Dancer or a Lammtarra any day of the week.

Given the emphasis on speed in modern pedigrees, it could be argued that the Prix de l’Abbaye should be similarly restricted. In fact, it was until 2001, but not a single tear was shed when geldings were allowed into France’s premier five-furlong contest.

Aside from the classic races (and you can shove the St Leger where the sun don’t shine), the top races should be set aside for the best racehorses, whether they be colts, fillies or geldings. Open competition makes those races stronger and protectionism by powerful breeders only weakens them. Vive La Révolution!