“Concerns Grow Over British Flat Racing as Dearth of Arc Runners Emerges”

The absence of British runners in this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has sparked concerns about the health of Flat racing in the UK. While it was expected that some top contenders would miss the prestigious event at Longchamp, the situation raises questions about the overall strength of British racing. Notably, Goliath, Calandagan, and Rebel’s Romance—three of the top four middle-distance turf horses globally—are all geldings and thus ineligible to compete. Additionally, , the Derby winner and currently the highest-rated turf horse, is being prepared for the Breeders’ on dirt in November. However, the most striking gap in the lineup is the lack of British-trained horses. Currently, the only contender from a British yard is ’s Sunway, who finished as the runner-up in the but is considered a long shot at 66-1. ’s Bluestocking, a Group One-winning mare, is expected to be added to the field during the supplementary entry stage, but she too is seen as an outsider with odds around 12-1. This situation mirrors trends seen in jump racing, where a lack of competitive entries can lead to broader concerns about the sport's vitality. The absence of strong British representation in such a significant race could indicate deeper issues within the Flat racing scene.