Gm, Equinauts

A quiet days racing today with only Carlisle on, and rightly so. The horses come first and it’s way, way, way too hot to race.

The right decision.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

🚦GREEN LIGHT FOR GELDINGS

When the news broke yesterday that the Arc would open up to geldings (of any age!), we weren’t quite sure how to react….One of the world’s most famous races, changing one of the things that helped define its identity simultaneously opening the door to the likes of Willie Mullins, who could end up targeting it year after year, is that good thing?

The funny thing is... we’re not even sure we care! You’re best to hear from someone who has skin in the game, Graffard! He supports France Galop’s plans and described it as a positive step that could help maintain the race’s reputation as one of the world’s best races.

He’s right, the rule change should turn l’Arc an even better race as the worlds best horses, regardless of whether they have their nuts on, will be able to line up. It now opens the race up to the likes of CALADAGAN and GOLIATH whom we imagine were the catalysts for this debate.

Major international races such as the Japan Cup, King George, and Breeders’ Cup already follow this approach. Ascot’s racing director Nick Smith praised the proposal, saying it would bring the Arc into line with other major European all-aged races.

But this might not be the only change.

There is a wider strategy afoot with the aim to restore the Arc’s position as the world’s highest-rated race, a status it last held in 2021, and as such, the race might be brought forward in the calendar!

No more sloppy Arc’s!?

❗CARNAGE

A horse crossed the motorway… no, this isn’t the start of a bad dad joke. This actually happened!

US trainer Kenny McPeek’s trailer was hit and caused the doors to open allowing the horses to escape loose on the road.

Don’t worry, it’s reported that all five horses (being transported from Louisville to Lexington) were unhurt and were quickly caught thanks to the groom and the kind efforts of a helpful bystander, and several members of the public! One even improvised using their belt as a lead rope!

Wild.

📣 📈NUMBERS UP

Who said racing’s dying!?

Royal Ascot proved best again as ITV reported a 14% rise in peak television audiences compared to the previous year. More than one million viewers tuned in on each of the first four days of the festival, a milestone that was not achieved during any of the live broadcasts in 2025. Digital engagement also surged, with streaming figures on ITVX nearly doubling to 2.6 million views.

Bullish.

Interestingly, the week's largest audience came on the Wednesday, when over 1.2 million people watched the Prince of Wales's Stakes. The Gold Cup is normally the big one. It just goes to show, build it and they will come!

Attendance at the racecourse also increased, with more than 7,000 additional spectators helping total five-day attendance reach 295,000, alongside growth in ticket and hospitality sales.

If you’ve never been to Royal Ascot - you have to try it. It’s the best race meeting by a long long way.

More:

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