The China Mail - Arc de Triomphe retains allure as the race where legends are made

The 16 runners that will line up at Longchamp include contenders from Ireland, England, Germany and Japan -- their runner Shin Emperor is just the latest challenger bidding to land the race that the Japanese consider the Holy Grail of the Sport of Kings.

England-born Hammond, who took the bold decision to train in France and won the 1991 and 1999 Arcs with Suave Dancer and Montjeu, told AFP the breadth of the field reflects the Arc being "the best all aged race in Europe due to the strength in depth."

"It still has an allure. Even if City of Troy was in the race most of the horses would turn up," Hammond told AFP by phone on Tuesday.

"What sets it apart as a race is it is the one the Japanese always wanted to win.

"It is a mythical race, the best in Europe. It has entrenched its position."

Hammond's opinion is shared by two other wise heads in the business.

David Redvers, racing manager to Qatar Racing, said he always expected the owners of Epsom Derby winner City of Troy to opt for the Breeder's Cup Classic in November.

"It has been evident for a while they want to win the Classic and the horse closest to being able to handle the surface (dirt as opposed to turf) and distance is City of Troy," Redvers told AFP.

"It would be unrealistic to expect him to run in soft ground at the Arc and then a Classic."

Redvers says the lustre of the Arc, first run in 1920 and named in honour of the Parisian landmark that hosted a post World War I victory parade, remains finely polished.

"In racing history it has been deemed a European championship," he said.

"In the annals of horse racing history I would say an owner's unique aspiration to have a champion is almost guaranteed if you win the Arc."

- 'Belongs to the world' -

William Woodhams, CEO of the world's oldest bookmaker Fitzdares, says the host city for the race is also a key factor in the allure of the Arc.

"Paris! It's such a wonderful city to visit and so easy to get to," he told AFP.

"Its timing is immaculate too. With European flat racing winding down it is a last great hurrah and a chance for the final bite of the cherry.

"Both Paris and the race have a near mythical status in Japan.

"Famously Paris can be a bit disappointing for Japanese visitors but the racing at Longchamp always delivers."

Woodhams, who feels especially at home at Longchamp as there is a sculpture of racing legend Gladiateur which was trained by his great great grandfather Tom Jennings, says the Arc transcends frontiers.

"The Arc is like Wimbledon, it belongs to the world not just the host nation," he said.

"That's reflected with the crowd who are heavily weighted to those from over La Manche (the English Channel) and a sizeable cohort from Japan."

Change -- and a major one at that -- could be on the cards with French racing authorities due to discuss whether geldings (castrated horses) should be permitted to run.

It has gained currency this year as two of France's best horses are geldings.

Goliath won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Calandagan was runner-up to City of Troy in the International Stakes in August.

To Redvers, who is also a breeder in his own right, such a move would do the race no favours at all.

"Opened up to geldings and heavy ground one could end up with a very glamorous National Hunt race," he said.

"We could end up with a whole load of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott geldings."

Woodhams, though, disagrees.

"I think it will make for a more fun and open spectacle," he said.

"It may be frustrating if Willie wins these races but it should set the standard for other trainers to produce superb geldings."

M.Zhou--ThChM