Befitting the name, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe towers over the European racing scene. Widely recognised as the classiest 1m4f turf contest anywhere in the world, the Longchamp showstopper attracts the best of the best from France, Britain, Ireland, and beyond.
Open to colts and fillies aged three and older, the €5 million event represents the ultimate battle between the Classic generation and their elders. With the list of runners and riders confirmed, the 2025 Arc boasts a typically international flavour. France has eight runners in the final field of 18 but faces stiff competition from Britain, Ireland, and Japan.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Confirmed Field of Runners and Riders
| Number | Horse | Jockey | Trainers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giavellotto | Andrea Atzeni | Marco Botti |
| 2 | White Birch | Dylan Browne McMonagle | John Joseph Murphy |
| 3 | Arrow Eagle | Ioritz Mendizabal | Jean-Claude Rouget |
| 4 | Sosie | Stephane Pasquier | André Fabre |
| 5 | Los Angeles | Wayne Lordan | Aidan O’Brien |
| 6 | Byzantine Dream | Oisin Murphy | Tomoyasu Sakaguchi |
| 7 | Estrange | Danny Tudhope | David O’Meara |
| 8 | Quisisana | Alexis Pouchin | Francis-Henri Graffard |
| 9 | Kalpana | Colin Keane | Andrew Balding |
| 10 | Aventure | Maxime Guyon | Christophe Ferland |
| 11 | Daryz | Mickael Barzalona | Francis-Henri Graffard |
| 12 | Leffard | Cristian Demuro | Jean-Claude Rouget |
| 13 | Cualificar | William Buick | André Fabre |
| 14 | Hotazhell | Shane Foley | Jessica Harrington |
| 15 | Croix Du Nord | Yuichi Kitamura | Takashi Saito |
| 16 | Alohi Alii | Christophe Lemaire | Hiroyasu Tanaka |
| 17 | Minnie Hauk | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O’Brien |
| 18 | Gezora | Tom Marquand | Francis-Henri Graffard |
Highlights
The fact that Aidan O’Brien has won the Arc only twice is a fine illustration of just how competitive this event is. He first tasted success with Dylan Thomas in 2007. A second triumph arrived in 2016, when saddling a sensational 1-2-3, headed by Found. Since then, the closest O’Brien has come to a third win was the third-place effort of Los Angeles in 2024. Los Angeles returns for a second crack at the prize but is among the outsiders following a string of disappointing efforts. In contrast, O’Brien’s second entry, Minnie Hauk, currently sits out on her own at the head of the market. Unbeaten in four outings this season, including a brilliant English/Irish Oaks double, the daughter of Frankel is hard to fault.
If there is one possible chink in the Minnie Hauk armour, it is her lack of experience at this track. Second-favourite Aventure passes the course and distance test with flying colours. Hailing from the yard of Christophe Ferland, the four-year-old filly boasts form figures of 22211 at Longchamp. The pick of those efforts includes a ¾l-second to Bluestocking in the 2024 Arc and a first Group 1 win in the 2025 Prix Vermeille. Arriving at the top of her game, the mount of Maxime Guyon has sound claims of going one better than in 2024.
No trainer knows what it takes to win the Arc better than French legend André Fabre. Last tasting success when Waldgeist broke Enable’s heart in 2019, the Chantilly handler sits atop the all-time Arc trainers’ table with eight wins. Sosie and Cualificar fly the Fabre flag in 2025. The former finished fourth behind Bluestocking in 2024 and posted a solid trial when second in the Prix Foy. One year older and stronger, could this be his year? The Godolphin-owned Cualificar was an unlikely Arc contender at the start of the year. He has since shot through the ranks with four wins in six starts, including the Prix Niel at this track in September.
In an open edition, perhaps this could finally be the year that Japan claims Arc honours. The Land of the Rising Sun bids to improve upon the runners-up finishes in 1999, 2010, 2012, and 2013. Japanese Derby winner Croix Du Nord was expected to be the nation’s number one challenger. The Takashi Saito runner remains in contention but faces competition from Byzantine Dream to be Japan’s shortest-priced runner on the day.
One of the more impressive Trials Day winners, when mastering Sosie in the Prix Foy, Byzantine Dream has the services of British Champion Jockey-elect Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Alohi Alii rounds out the Japanese trio, having taken his form to a new level in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
With three runners, Francis-Henri Graffard is the most well-represented trainer in 2025. No stranger to British fans, thanks to back-to-back wins in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he has yet to win the biggest race in his homeland. Daryz and Gezora both caught the eye when running on well for second at this track in September. His third runner, Quisisana, is rapidly improving and arrives seeking a five-timer.
Returning to the British and Irish challenge, Andrew Balding’s ante-post favourite Kalpana flopped last time out in the September Stakes. However, she is given the chance to bounce back as connections stick to the long-term plan. Others to note include Marco Botti’s Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto and the beautiful white filly Estrange from the David O’Meara operation. The Irish duo of Hotazhell and White Birch are talented on their day and may be flying a little under the radar.
Sunday, 5 October at 3:05 pm is the date in the diary for the latest instalment of one of racing’s most compelling contests. It promises to be as brilliant as always!
