THE SIDELINES : Nashwan’s Racing Future in Doubt

The future of Nashwan, one of Europe’s top racehorses, was in serious doubt today, 24 hours after the thoroughbred was beaten for the first time in his six-race career in a warm-up for the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Nashwan, winner of the Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and 2,000 Guineas, put on a lifeless performance and finished third in Sunday’s Prix Niel at Longchamp outside Paris.

Tests are to be carried out on the colt, recently put up for syndication at $28.8 million, and a decision is expected later this week whether Nashwan will retire or race in the Arc on Oct. 8. The horse’s owners originally wanted Nashwan to bow out in a blaze of glory at the Arc before beginning stud duties.