THE SIDELINES : Nashwan’s Racing Future in Doubt

LONDON —  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.