The draw for the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the world’s most prestigious all-aged Flat race, has just been made in Paris.
As ever, the impact of stall positions is set to be a major talking point ahead of Sunday’s €5 million showdown at Longchamp.
For fans and connections alike, the Arc de Triomphe draw is almost as nervy a ritual as the race itself.
A good berth can make the difference between a smooth, ground-saving run and the heartbreak of being forced wide around the sweeping Paris turns.
Run over 1m4f (2,400m), the Arc attracts elite middle-distance horses from across Europe and beyond.
The field often hits a maximum of 20, and this year, 18 have been declared. The list spans Classic-winning fillies, established older horses, and three high-class Japanese challengers, each hoping this will finally be the year Tokyo’s Arc curse is broken.
So how did they all fare when the draw was made?
The 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Draw
Here are the stalls in ascending order for Sunday’s field, complete with jockeys:
- 1. Minnie Hauk – Christophe Soumillon
- 2. Daryz – Mickael Barzalona
- 3. Sosie – Stephane Pasquier
- 4. Alohi Alii – Christophe Lemaire
- 5. Giavellotto – Andrea Atzeni
- 6. Leffard – Cristian Demuro
- 7. Quisisana – Alexis Pouchin
- 8. Cualificar – William Buick
- 9. White Birch – Dylan Browne McMonagle
- 10. Kalpana – Colin Keane
- 11. Hotazhell – Shane Foley
- 12. Aventure – Maxime Guyon
- 13. Gezora – Tom Marquand
- 14. Los Angeles – Wayne Lordan
- 15. Byzantine Dream – Oisin Murphy
- 16. Arrow Eagle – Ioritz Mendizabal
- 17. Croix Du Nord – Yuichi Kitamura
- 18. Estrange – Danny Tudhope
2025 Draw Winners and Losers
Heroically, Minnie Hauk has landed the inside stall – stall 1. Not only is she the least exposed runner with a strong finishing kick, but this draw allows Christophe Soumillon options: he can tuck into a stalking spot or hold the rail, forcing her rivals to work around her.
The last filly to win from stall 1 was Zarkava in 2008, and before her, champions like Sagace were similarly favoured on the inside.
Sosie, drawn 3 under Stephane Pasquier, is another to benefit. Arc trends heavily favour this position, and the last ten years alone have yielded three winners from stalls 2 and 3. With his ability to settle mid-pack and quicken, he should get a textbook trip.
Daryz (2), Giavellotto (5), and Leffard (6) likewise secure prime real estate, while Alohi Alii (4) looks ideally set to race handily, especially if he breaks alertly.
Cualificar (8) and White Birch (9) both land midfield draws, which should suit their running styles.
On the flip side, several big players have it all to do. Last year’s runner-up Aventure is out in stall 12, which is awkward, but not insurmountable, especially for a horse with tactical speed and Group 1 experience at Longchamp.
Japanese hopes have drawn poorly: Croix Du Nord (17) and Byzantine Dream (15) are posted wide, as are Arrow Eagle (16) and Estrange (18). These horses must either use up valuable energy early to slot in or risk covering more ground than ideal.
Outsiders Who Could Benefit
A favourable draw can often lift the prospects of a big-priced outsider.
Giavellotto’s draw in 5 instantly strengthens his case for an each-way bet; as a strong stayer who often stays on late, being midfield can let him use his stamina rather than expend effort trying to gain position.
Similarly, Daryz (2) will now tempt each-way players, as he showed earlier this season he can sit handy and finish with purpose.
Quisisana (7) and Leffard (6) haven’t captured headlines in the build-up, but should get the run of the race and might be able to thread through gaps rather than circle the field.
In the Arc, horses that race close to the pace from a low-to-middle draw will always have a tactical head start.
How The Draw Is Made
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe draw is conducted as an official, publicly observed event and is entirely random, with no bias or manipulation in favour of any runner, including favourites.
Each horse’s stall number is determined by a lottery system overseen by France Galop, the governing authority for flat racing in France.
Typically, after the final declarations, each horse’s representative (often a trainer, owner, or jockey) is invited to participate in the draw.
Numbered balls or cards, one for each available stall, are placed in a bowl or draw machine.
Each horse, regardless of their odds or reputation, receives their stall based on the order in which their ball is pulled out.
This means the race favourite, such as Minnie Hauk this year, has the exact same chance of drawing stall 1 as any other horse; with 18 runners, that chance is 1 in 18 (roughly 5.56%).
Race organisers and connections have no influence over the outcome, and the process is done in full view of the racing media to ensure transparency.
Although conspiracy theories sometimes arise when high-profile favourites land ideal draws, the event is strictly regulated with no opportunity for fixing or favouritism, as confirmed by France Galop and independent stewards.
Why The Arc Draw Matters
Longchamp is famously demanding, and no less so tactically than physically. The start comes up quickly onto the first turn, and horses drawn wide risk either being trapped out or burning too much energy to get position.
History favours those allotted inside-to-middle stalls, allowing them to save ground and settle before launching down the long home straight.
Looking back at the last ten Arcs adds weight to this:
- 8 of the last 10 winners were drawn in single-digit stalls
- The widest in recent history is stall 15, from which Treve won in 2013 when there were 17 runners
Among the past champions, Bluestocking in 2024 (stall 3), Ace Impact in 2023 (stall 8), Alpinista in 2022 (stall 6), and Torquator Tasso in 2021 (stall 12), illustrate both the advantage and that very occasionally, a wide-berth brute can overcome the bias with tactical genius and luck.
Put simply, the draw won’t make a slow horse fast, but it will often ensure a proven contender can run their race, avoiding traffic or energy-sapping detours.
Will The Draw Make A Difference?
While the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe never fails to thrill, the draw remains as significant as ever for finding the winner in a capacity field.
The inside half of the field, especially Minnie Hauk from stall 1 and Sosie from 3, are sitting pretty on the trends, while Aventure and both Japanese colts will need tactical brilliance and luck to get a fair run.
Wide draws don’t make a win impossible, but they raise the degree of difficulty, especially for those reliant on cover or a clear run.
Expect the early stages of Sunday’s Arc to be decisive, with jockeys from all countries vying for critical ground before the true test up Longchamp’s famous straight will decide who writes their name into racing history this year.
BETFRED
