The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s top middle‑distance race, will open its gates to geldings from 2027. Held first Sunday in October, the Paris Longchamp event has long barred geldings, sparking debate among owners and fans. The change could reshape the field and attract more international contenders for the first time ever in history.

Owners of top geldings, such as Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Calandagan, have missed Arc opportunities. Calandagan, last year’s world‑rated champion after winning the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, King George, and Champion Stakes, also captured the Japan Cup, the first overseas winner in two decades. Exclusion has cost owners a marquee target for their owners and the industry.

France Galop board members voted to lift the restriction in 2027, pending European Pattern Committee approval. The ruling means the Arc will finally accept geldings, potentially opening the door for Calandagan to chase glory as a six‑year‑old for Aga Khan Studs. The decision signals a shift toward a more inclusive championship for the global community.

Nemone Routh, director at Aga Khan Studs, noted the frustration of missing a major race but praised Daryz’s 2023 Arc win, which kept the family’s international ambitions alive. She added that if Calandagan remains fit, the 2027 Arc could still be on the agenda, though the distance is far ahead for the future racing scene.