Colts-only Arc – Yes or No?

[Ex RubyLight]

Why is it okay to have (almost) geldings only over the jumps?

[zilzal]

It might have something to do with the likely mortality rate, Ruby.

[Miss Woodford]

There is also the argument that geldings are at a disadvantage because they have far less testosterone in their bodies than intact males.

To me it is very silly that a race for older horses bars geldings. It isn’t a “stallion-making” race the way 3yo classic races are. If a gelding were to perform admirably in the race then interested breeders could just look to his sire or other lose relatives, the way that National Hunt breeders do with all the top jumpers being geldings.

[Mike007]

“Geldings (in general) may very well be easier to train but that doesn’t appear to have given them the kind of advantage that would warrant them being given additional weight to be allowed to run in the Arc, as former France Galop president Edouard de Rothschild has suggested.”

I think that may happen. Some weight concession involved if they were allowed to run.

[Mike007]

I found this thought it was an ok read to gain some understanding of what some of the differences were.

https://equineinstitute.org/new-blog/what-is-a-gelding-horse-understanding-their-role-and-benefit

[Ex RubyLight]

Very good article indeed, thanks for sharing Mike.

[Author]

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