Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2025

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe stands as Europe’s most prestigious race, bringing together the best middle-distance horses from around the world. This year’s renewal looks wide open, with Classic winners, proven international stayers and an exciting team of Japanese challengers all taking their chance. Below is a runner-by-runner guide to the field and how the draw may play its part at Longchamp on Sunday.

Giavellotto
He comes into the Arc as a proven Group 1 stayer, having landed the Hong Kong Vase in 2024 and most recently the September Stakes at Kempton, where he defeated Kalpana. He tends to do his best work when the tempo is strong and stamina comes into play, though he can be outpaced at a crucial stage in truly run mile-and-a-half contests.

White Birch
He has been a familiar name in all the big middle-distance races over the last two seasons, including winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup last year. From stall 9 he is drawn right in the middle, which at least gives him the flexibility to drop in or hold his position, though he will once again be hostage to how the race develops in front of him.

Arrow Eagle
He brings solid domestic French form but failed to fire in the Prix Foy, finishing behind Byzantine Dream. The draw in stall 16 is a big disadvantage as he will struggle to find the best early position, and from there he faces an uphill battle against rivals with stronger proven form.

Sosie
Fourth in this race last year when sent off favourite, he has since enjoyed another fantastic season by winning two Group 1s and enhancing his Arc credentials in the Prix Foy when just failing to fend off the Japanese raider Byzantine Dream. Despite stablemate Aventure being preferred by connections, stall 3 is a major positive as it was the winning draw last year.

Los Angeles
A consistent Ballydoyle flagbearer, he returns to this race after a brave third in the Arc last year. He arrives here a year older but doesn’t appear to be in the same sort of form, and even for the genius that is Aidan O’Brien, it is hard to envisage him winning on Sunday.

Byzantine Dream
He found his groove when stepping up in distance, going close in the two-mile Tenno Sho in May. He furthered his Arc credentials when winning the Prix Foy after an absence, in what seemed a strong renewal, beating the likes of Sosie and Los Angeles among others. Stall 15 is historically a major negative, but he comes here with solid form and plenty of momentum.

Estrange
It was a surprise to see her turn up at York when going down gamely to Minnie Hauk, but the ground in Paris on Sunday should play much better to her strengths. This does not look the strongest renewal of an Arc, so a surprise result is not impossible, but drawn widest of all in 18, she may need a miracle to overcome that.

Quisisana
Another Francis-Henri Graffard horse who has seemed to get better as she gets older, she gave Survie a beating in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet in August. Her record of six wins from eight career starts suggests she is likely to keep improving, and drawn in stall 7, she looks a lively outsider.

Kalpana
She failed to fire in the September Stakes at Kempton behind Giavellotto, and connections turn to cheekpieces to spark some improvement as she bids to bounce back. She had been near the head of the market for quite some time in the lead-up to this race, with strong form in the book, including finishing a length behind Calandagan in the King George at Ascot. Stall 10 is not a disaster by any means, and she represents Juddmonte, who are bidding for back-to-back Arc wins after Bluestocking last season.

Aventure
Plenty of Arc winners have been beaten in the race the previous year, and she heads the market this time around. She put up one of the performances of the weekend when winning the Vermeille, clocking the fastest furlong of any horse at that meeting, including Rosallion in the Moulin. Stall 12 isn’t ideal, but she is the most likely winner on current form.

Daryz
A lively each-way player for the Graffard team, he bombed out at York in August but very nearly beat the leading Japanese hope Croix Du Nord last time out when failing by a short head. He is very much in contention with a great draw in stall 2 and could prove popular with punters.

Leffard
From the same yard as Ace Impact, who was so impressive in this race a few years ago, this Grand Prix de Paris winner has had the Arc as his target for quite some time. He disappointed in the Prix Niel but retains potential at this trip and has a great draw in stall 6.

Cualificar
Runner-up in the Prix du Jockey Club before winning the Prix Niel over this course and distance. The Fabre team confirmed this has been the plan since that win, and he looks a progressive type who will be looking to come with a late run.

Hotazhell
A top-class two-year-old who landed the Futurity Trophy last autumn, but he has not really fired this year. He steps up to 12 furlongs, which could be a positive, but there are more likely winners in this field.

Croix Du Nord
The Japanese superstar who won a Group 3 at Longchamp last month, carries the hopes of many that he can become the first Japanese horse to win this race. The stable seems confident that his work has improved since, but stall 17 makes life very, very hard.

Alohi Alii
Another Japanese raider who won a Group 2 at Deauville in August, a race which often stands you in good stead against the French three-year-olds. He has a great draw in stall 4, and any rain would be welcome.

Minnie Hauk
Supplemented for the race, which is always a sign of confidence from connections, she has been a consistent performer this season, completing the Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks treble this summer. Stall 1 makes life uncomplicated, and her profile suggests she should be bang there.

Gezora
She went down fighting against Aventure last time out and remains a top-class three-year-old filly. She has been kept fresh since that race, and will be an interesting contender on the day.