Europe’s richest race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, will open to geldings from 2027. The move will be a significant one in the history of European flat racing, with the Arc so often a stallion making race for breeding purposes. Elsewhere, ITV announced positive Royal Ascot viewing figures.
Here is today’s racing news round-up for your midweek.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe open to geldings from 2027
France Galop board members have voted to remove the restrictions on geldings competing in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The 2026 edition will be the last one open only to entires and fillies/mares. The Arc has been a race to greatly enhance stallion prospects from a breeding perspective in the past. However, with geldings such as Calandagan, until recently the world’s highest-rated racehorse, unable to take part, restrictions will be lifted in a seismic move for the future of European flat racing. (Sky Sports)
Royal Ascot: High ITV viewing figures as meeting impacts Cartier rankings
ITV have announced an increase in viewers from 2025 to 2026 at Royal Ascot. Peak viewing figures rose on each day of the 2026 royal meeting compared t the previous year. This ensured that, in all, there was a 14% increase at peak times for those watching on TV. With the meeting at times competing with the World Cup during later coverage, streaming figures also increased substantially. ITVX reported figures of 2.6 million across the week on their streaming platform. (Racing Post)
Royal Ascot also had an impact on the Cartier standings for horse of the year. A trio now head the rankings, with Bow Echo and Ombudsman joining True Love on 80 points after their superb victories at Ascot. Ombudsman now leads the “Older Horse” category above 2025 Arc winner Daryz. Meanwhile, Bow Echo has leapfrogged old rival Gstaad in the “Three-Year-Old Colt standings with his St James’s Palace Stakes success. The “Sprinter” category now has a runaway leader in Venetian Sun while Scandinavia is clear in the “Stayer” standings. (Racing Post)
BHA adds new Judicial Panel members
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the appointment of numerous new members to their independent Judicial Panel. The panel is responsible for disciplinary hearings, licensing requests and appeals. It is also split into pools depending on the job required. In the announcement, the BHA stated that “HH Phillip Sycamore CBE, Nicola Shannon KC, Pritesh Rathod and Sam Magee KC have been added to the Chair Pool, while Colin Vickers, Sharon Cooksey, Miranda Fisher, Amy Hazlewood and Kevin Carptenter join the Specialist Pool.” (BHA)
Irish Derby Runners: Benvenuto Cellini favourite
Benvenuto Cellini is favourite to atone for his Epsom disappointment at the Curragh on Sunday. He is clear favourite among 11 confirmations for the Irish Derby. The chestnut colt was at the centre of controversy at Epsom when declared a non-runner due to a stalls incident. He performed well below his best in crossing the line in tenth, but better ground could be to his advantage on Sunday. Epsom hero Christmas Day is also in the potential line-up. (Sporting Life)