Sunday, 5th October, is a key date in the diary for European racing fans. As ever, the first Sunday in October sees the Paris track of Longchamp set the stage for the richest race on the continent, and one of the most prestigious turf contests held anywhere in the world.
We are, of course, referring to the magnificent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The trip is 1m4f for this monumental event, which offers a staggering £4,132,231 in guaranteed prize money.
A spectacular late-season target for owners, trainers, and jockeys, the Arc is also one of the most popular punting events of the year. Those seeking clues ahead of the big race won’t want to miss Sunday’s action from France, as Longchamp hosts the official Arc Trials Day. Three races, all held over the Arc course and distance, have attracted a host of leading contenders in 2025.
Prix Vermeille
- Winners to Follow Up in the Arc since 2000 – Zarkava (2008), Bluestocking (2024)
The only Arc trial on the card to boast Group 1 status, but not the most successful in identifying the Arc winner in the current century. Restricted to fillies and mares, the following quartet will attempt to follow in the hoofprints of Zarkava and Bluestocking in 2025.
- Aventure – General Arc Odds: 16/1 – Finished second in the 2024 edition of this race and filled the same position in the October main event. This season, she has claimed the Prix Allez France and Prix Corrida and chased Calandagan home in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time out. With Bluestocking now retired, this Christophe Ferland runner is a strong contender for the home team
- Gezora – General Arc Odds: 20/1 – This three-year-old filly has shot through the ranks since joining the Francis-Henri Graffard operation in April. Bursting onto the scene with a win in the Group 2 Prix Saint-Alary, she backed that up when claiming Group 1 success at the first attempt in the Prix de Diane. Could she be the horse to hand her trainer a first Arc victory?
- Survie – General Arc Odds: 100/1 – Zero from four in Group 1 company, including a seventh placed effort in the 2024 Arc. This Nicolas Clement and Frauke Hermans challenger will need a career-best effort to make her presence felt in such lofty company
- Whirl – General Arc Odds: 8/1 – One of two Aidan O’Brien-trained fillies currently vying for Arc favouritism. Whirl finished second to stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Epsom Oaks, but has since advanced her Arc claims with Group 1 wins in the Pretty Polly Stakes and Nassau Stakes
Prix Niel
- Winners to Follow Up in the Arc since 2000 – Sinndar (2000), Dalakhani (2003), Hurricane Run (2005), Rail Link (2006)
The Prix Niel enjoyed a golden period in the early 2000s, with four winners going on to claim the Arc between 2000 and 2006. However, this Group 2 contest for the three-year-olds has drawn a blank since. Can either of the following put that right in 2025?
- Cualificar – General Arc Odds: 66/1 – Going in the Godolphin blue, this Lope De Vega colt represents the most successful trainer in Arc history. Kicking off 2025 with three successive wins, Cualificar was well fancied to become Andre Fabre’s ninth winner in the race. However, he has tumbled down the betting list following back-to-back defeats in Group 1 company
- Leffard – General Arc Odds: 20/1 – Having won both juvenile starts, Leffard looked like a horse to follow in his Classic campaign. The Le Havre colt then dropped off the radar following a defeat at Listed level and a no-show in the Prix du Jockey Club. However, he bounced right back to land the Grand Prix de Paris in July. Given a break since that outing, he represents the 2020 and 2023 Arc-winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget
Prix Foy
- Winners to Follow Up in the Arc since 2000 – Waldgeist (2019)
The 1999 Arc winner, Montjeu, won the Prix Foy in 2000, but as of 2024, Waldgeist is the only horse in the current century to win both races in the same year. Restricted to runners aged four and older, the following challengers will hope to strike a blow for the Prix Foy in 2025.
- Almaqam – General Arc Odds: 25/1 – Representing the Lambourn yard of Ed Walker, Almaqam has yet to tackle 1m4f. However, he boasts excellent form at 1m2f, including a verdict over Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown
- Byzantine Dream – General Arc Odds: 25/1 – Despite numerous attempts, and headline-grabbing victories in other global events, the Arc remains the race Japanese trainers most want to win. Sharing a sire with Dubai Sheema Classic winner Danon Decile, Byzantine Dream has no concerns in the stamina department and rates an intriguing contender for Tomoyasu Sakaguchi
- Los Angeles – General Arc Odds: 25/1 – The shortest price of the Aidan O’Brien colts in the field, Los Angeles is a dual Group 1 winner at the distance following victories in the 2024 Irish Derby and 2025 Curragh Cup. He has performed below his best in recent outings but finished an excellent third in the 2024 Arc
- Map Of Stars – General Arc Odds: 50/1 – Sired by 2009 Arc hero Sea The Stars, this Francis-Henri Graffard runner is one of four Wathnan Racing Arc entries. With Longchamp form figures of 1412, he goes well at this track but has yet to win at the highest level
- Sosie – General Arc Odds: 16/1 – Following wins in the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel, Sosie started favourite for the 2024 Arc, but could manage only fourth behind Bluestocking. The race didn’t go to plan in the Coral-Eclipse, but a Group 1 double in the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan suggests this Andre Fabre runner shouldn’t be underestimated
With the current Arc favourite, Kalpana, also in action at Kempton on Saturday afternoon, the 2025 Arc picture will become a little clearer following this weekend’s events.