Auguste Rodin will retire after the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after being given a surprise place in Europe's greatest Flat race

Auguste Rodin has been given the surprise option of running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as Aidan O'Brien covers all bases ahead of Europe's greatest Flat race.

The outstanding colt will retire to stud at the end of the season after a career that has seen him win Derbies in England and Ireland, a Breeders' Cup Turf in California and conquer Royal Ascot in June.

O'Brien had indicated the four-year-old's final assignment would be the Japan Cup in November, having just failed by a neck to win a second Irish Champion Stakes, but there has been a slight change of plan. If the weather improves, Auguste Rodin may well be rerouted to Longchamp on Sunday.

Los Angeles , who ran an eye-catching trial for the Arc behind Economics in the Irish Champion Stakes, had been seen as O'Brien's prime candidate for the Arc but his illustrious stablemate is being readied just in case conditions improve this week. 'Auguste is still in top gear ,' said O'Brien, whose team for Paris will include star stayer Kyprios, who is due to run in the Prix du Cadran.

'Last year we backed off him, then the ground came up quick and we were sorry we hadn't left him in the Arc. The ground probably won't be quick enough for him but he's in there to run just in case. We will have a look and see what happens.'

If Auguste Rodin is given the green light, he would be a huge player in an open race. Certainly the outstanding form of O'Brien's team means he would need to be taken seriously.

The Ballydoyle handler won four races at the Curragh yesterday, supplementing a brilliant Saturday when his star juvenile filly Lake Victoria waltzed away with the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

'She's an unusually talented filly,' said O'Brien. 'She's lovely and one to look forward to.'