WE’re writing about racing but we’re not writing about racing, again! The latest rather bizarre suggestion, and worthy of a column from Bruce Millington, the former editor of the Racing Post this week, was that owners should have the option to change the names of French horses when they import them.

Now we’re on the brink of Brexit, this proposal seemed like trying to find a way to blame the French for losing some punting revenue because names are too awkward to pronounce or spell.

And if it’s the French first, will it be us next? Anyone remember back to Was-on Do? (Oisin Dubh, if you don’t). Thank heavens our champion jockey Oisin has sorted that out! Evidence says French names can be off-putting for punters? Some of the worst pronunciations are of Irish names - Ni Sin E Mo Ainm became something strange any time I heard him running. I was reminded of Nos Na Gaoithe from years ago too.

Should we prevent Arabic names as well? I’m sure punters soon learned how to write names like Petite Etoile or Edredon Bleu, or more recently had no problem backing the likes of Al Bahathri, Ghanaati, Mukhadram, Taghrooda, Eqtidaar or Muharrar in Group 1s. Nothing was said to the Aga Khan when Harasiya came after Haziyna. Did anyone ever win money on Alnasr Alwasheek? Wanaasah might not easily roll of the tongue but punters will not forget her this week. It’s hard to imagine Buveur D’Air being too troublesome and turning off punters even if his name wasn’t in their native tongue.

There is also an amusing aside in that a French-bred, already named filly was due to go through the sales last year but would have to have her nice English name changed. Her original name, Comedy Of Errors, was not allowed in the UK out of respect to the former Champion Hurdle winner!

It’s not hard to argue that prolific winners Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux are more popular names with punters than serial loser Singlefarmpayment. And of course we’d never have heard the word Istabraq before a certain horse came along but I doubt any punter held it against him!

There is an old tale in which a once-a-year punter was given a strong “will win” tip for the Grand National some years ago and it got passed on a few times, and a little bit lost in transalation. “It’s a funny name, Number six something…you’ll know it when you see it.” The novice punter ended up lumping on No 6 - Le Roi Miguel. Yes, those bloody French names cause trouble!