The Derby has worked for hundreds of years - we can't just change it on a whim

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In Monday's email Chris reflects on calls from a columnist in this publication to reduce the distance of the Derby – and subscribers can get more great insight, tips and racing chat from Chris every Monday to Friday.

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When it comes to politics, I'd never describe myself as conservative, either with a big C or a small one, but things are different when it comes to the sport I love. My instinctive feeling when it comes to racing is this: change is bad. I realise it may not be entirely healthy.

Sometimes you have to get over yourself, of course, and concede that change can actually be necessary and fruitful. I'm prepared to accept that the decision to shorten the French Derby, aka the Prix du Jockey Club, to an extended 1m2f has not actually brought the world to a shuddering halt, nor inflicted misery on the populace of France or any other country.

I couldn't be sure there have been tangible benefits, however. Yes, the race attracts big, competitive fields and has thrown up some high-quality winners in recent years, like Almanzor, Sottsass, Mishriff and St Mark's Basilica. But then we had Montjeu, Sulamani and Dalakhani in the six runnings before the race was changed; we've had Saonois since the change. I'm just saying there is evidence that could be used to point in more than one direction.

Anyway, m'colleague Julian Muscat has evidently been won over by the Chantilly race's development. You can read his thoughts here about why we should now consider shortening the Derby at Epsom.

Fundamentally, it's about the need for relevance in a world in which only a small proportion of horses are bred to excel at a mile and a half. As Julian points out, the Derby can be a severe test that may leave Adayar unable to uphold the form until late in the season, if at all.

A couple of recent events may cause problems for the Derby. Galileo, who was so reliably excellent at producing Epsom contenders, is no longer with us. And Aidan O'Brien, who is so focused on the Derby each year and has also produced a string of (much the same) contenders, has just won his first Prix du Jockey Club with a horse who promptly followed up in the Eclipse.

Will that now become an attractive route for him? Will he fall into the habit of sending his best horse to Chantilly, knowing he will then have enough horse left for other big summer prizes? I suppose it could happen. When people say of a horse, he has nothing left to prove, it's hardly ever true, but Aidan really doesn't have to prove he can get one ready for the Derby. That mission is accomplished and maybe he fancies doing things differently in future.

St Mark's Basilica provided Aidan O'Brien with his first Prix du Jockey Club win this seasonCredit: Scoop Dyga/France Galop

But if that did happen, the effect would surely be to open up the Derby to a wider variety of winners than in the last decade. The loss of Galileo, tragic as it is, will probably also have that effect. The Derby might be heading into a new and interesting phase, with sons of Frankel likely to be regular contenders.

At any rate, I think we should be slow to change something that has worked so well for hundreds of years. With a tradition of that length, I think you can put up with some quite sustained troughs along the way and persevere in the reasonable expectation that matters will correct themselves, whatever the whim of powerful individuals.

The Derby is still a race that lovers of Flat racing are desperate to win. No change is needed to sharpen the appetite of owners, trainers and breeders, even if it is extremely difficult for them to get their hands on the right material.

As a sporting event, it derives much of its magic from the fact that it has been continuing in the same way for such a long time, back to the days when Charles Dickens attended and beyond. Change something so fundamental as the race distance and you risk breaking that tradition and the race's claim to enduring significance. You risk cementing perceptions of a crisis that might be about to blow over.

One story you must read

Assessing the impact of Galileo, the dominant stallion in Flat racing for many years, who died on Saturday

Read more of the day's top stories:

'He's a really exciting horse' – Angus Gold on Shadwell's latest star

Seamie Heffernan: you wouldn't find a Galileo waving a white flag

Joy for Ken Condon as Laws Of Indices wins thrilling Prix Jean Prat

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday