European Pattern Committee approves opening the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to geldings

EUROPEAN PATTERN COMMITTEE APPROVES OPENING THE QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE TO GELDINGS

On Monday, 10 August 2026, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) held a working meeting in Berlin, attended by member countries (England, France, Ireland and Germany), and associated countries (Italy, Scandinavia and Turkey).

A proposal to open the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to geldings was one of the items on the agenda for this meeting. 

After reviewing the information presented by France Galop, the voting members of the EPC approved the decision taken by the France Galop Board of Directors in June 2026 to open the race to geldings starting in 2027. 

This development follows careful consideration by France Galop as part of its strategy to develop and improve the popularity of its major international races. 

“The European Pattern Committee’s decision is an important milestone in the consultation and decision-making process initiated by France Galop,” said Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop. “The EPC’s support confirms the soundness of our approach. Opening the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to geldings is driven by a straightforward objective: to ensure that France’s greatest race brings together the best horses - colts, fillies and, from 2027, geldings. We are convinced that this change will make the race even more compelling on the track and further strengthen its international profile and media appeal.”

The 2027 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, scheduled to take place on Sunday, 3 October at ParisLongchamp, will therefore be the first edition in the race’s history to be open to geldings.