The 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s most revered flat race, unfolds on Sunday, October 5th at ParisLongchamp.
The Arc draws a high-class, international field over 1m4f, with a €5 million prize and immense prestige at stake.
This year’s 18 runners include top fillies, Japanese hopes, staying stars, and a strong favourite who was only supplemented on Wednesday – Minnie Hauk.
Despite Minnie Hauk’s entry, this year’s field is still wide open with no one horse really dominating over the rest, and it is still anyone’s race to win.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at each runner in turn and determine which has what it takes to reign victorious in Paris on Sunday.
Minnie Hauk
The outstanding filly of her generation, Minnie Hauk, arrives unbeaten this season and was sensationally supplemented at a cost of €120,000 after sweeping the English, Irish, and Yorkshire Oaks.
Bred for stamina and acceleration, she gets weight from older horses and has shown the professionalism of a champion.
If she adapts to Longchamp and delivers her trademark late surge, she will take all the beating in what looks like her stiffest test yet.
Kalpana
British-based filly Kalpana has shown promise all season, finishing in the frame in high-class English and French Group company.
She likes a strong gallop and can quicken, but may lack the class of the very best, having finished second in all three of her last outings.
In fact, at one point, she was the ante-post favourite for the Arc, but her odds have since drifted.
She is in the hands of an astute yard and could conceivably outrun her double-figure odds if improving again.
Aventure
Second in the Arc last year, Aventure is back stronger at five, landing the Prix Vermeille to confirm her affinity for Longchamp and 1m4f.
She is reliable in big fields and has handled both fast and soft ground, racing for the Christophe Ferland yard.
The main worry is whether any improvers can slip past her, but this mare never runs a bad race and brings proven resilience to the occasion.
Croix Du Nord
A major hope for Japan, Croix Du Nord is the Derby winner from Tokyo and has advertised his strong form in French trials, showing the ability to settle and quicken in tactical races.
Stamina is proven, and connections have long plotted an autumn target. Met top-level opposition for the first time in Europe, and his adaptability and fighting finish offered a real chance to provide the much-longed Japanese Arc breakthrough.
However, he was then drawn in stall 17, scuppering any real chance at the prize, particularly when up against Minnie Hauk, who was incredibly lucky to draw stall 1!
Sosie
Andre Fabre’s colt has flourished as a four-year-old, netting Group wins through consistency and tactical nous.
He loves Longchamp and softer going, making him a legitimate place contender.
Often held up off the pace, he got a boost by being drawn in stall 3 and has demonstrated he can finish as strongly as any.
Is definitely one of France’s better hopes to keep the prize at home if others underperform.
Byzantine Dream
An internationally campaigned performer, Byzantine Dream travels over from Japan after solid stakes wins at home and a creditable run in the Qatar Prix Foy.
Possessing both tactical speed and adaptability, he could be a threat if the pace collapses late or if ground conditions are truly testing.
Yet to win at the very top level in Europe, his draw in stall 15 makes him unlikely to cause a major upset.
Cualificar
Cualificar represents France’s master trainer Andre Fabre and takes his chance after improving rapidly through the summer, notching a Group-race win at Longchamp over this distance, last time out.
Yet to tackle a field of this depth, but his stamina and uncomplicated racing style make him a dark horse for the finish.
If the rain comes and the contest becomes a test, he should not be discounted for a place.
Gezora
Gezora comes here on the back of a consistent campaign, her major highlight being winning the Prix de Diane earlier this summer.
Another with a strong late kick, she typically races just off the speed and finishes resolutely.
Though she may lack the raw speed of some rivals, her tenacity and Group 1 experience give her a real shout at picking up minor money on a going day.
Daryz
Daryz has shot up the ranks for Francis Graffard, capturing four early wins before staying on for second in the Prix du Prince d’Orange.
Bred for middle distances, this colt is progressive and rates a serious each-way player if he continues that improvement at the higher level.
Forecast to enjoy the step up in trip, his trainer believes he has the ideal blend of class and resilience for the Arc.
Alohi Alii
Another Japanese runner in the French showpiece, Alohi Alii, is lightly raced but flashed ability in strong autumn trials.
Acts well when fresh and has a powerful late surge in steadily run races, yet still lacks the depth of seasoning compared to the big names.
With continued progression, he could be the surprise package, but it’s unlikely to be this year when up against such a strong field.
Estrange
The lone grey filly in the race, British-trained Estrange, finds herself up against the elite after capturing smaller stakes prizes at home.
Her Arc candidacy rests on further improvement and a strong pace up front that would play to her staying strengths.
While her chance of outright victory looks slim with her draw in stall 18, her stamina and fighting spirit could get her involved if the heavyweights fail to fire on the big day.
Giavellotto
This consistent stayer from Marco Botti’s stable captured attention with a gritty win at Kempton and game efforts in big-field English handicaps.
Though perhaps not blessed with the sharpest acceleration, he will relish every yard and come home strongly if the leaders tire.
Giavellotto is respected for his durability, though this is a much tougher Group 1 test than he’s ever faced.
Leffard
Leffard has produced his best on soft French turf, doing all his winning off the front or in small, tactical fields.
Drawn to go forward, he may seek to stretch rivals’ stamina, but his form when tackled by high-class opposition does raise stamina doubts.
Genuine trier who has punched above his weight before; inclusion in the Arc field is testament to a consistent season.
Quisisana
One of the rank outsiders, Quisisana is relatively unexposed and finds herself pitched in at the deep end after progressing through Listed and Group 3 levels.
She’s seen as one for the future, but on ratings alone, she’ll need several rivals to underperform to hit the frame.
Testing conditions could suit, and her trainer, Francis Graffard, does have a knack for prepping gallant longshots.
Los Angeles
Talented and previously Group 1 placed, Aidan O’Brien’s colt, Los Angeles, has struggled for consistency in 2025.
He finds himself a big price, but past evidence at Longchamp (3rd in last year’s Arc) and a proven ability to grind out tough finishes over twelve furlongs mean he cannot be underestimated.
If returning to his peak, he could nab a minor spot late on.
White Birch
White Birch offers each-way appeal at his best, coming off a strong effort in the Irish Champion Stakes.
He needs a fast tempo to run into and is the type who will be passing horses late. Unlike many of his rivals, he has missed the bulk of the G1 races this season and only returned in September after a three-month hiatus.
Arrow Eagle
A rank outsider, Arrow Eagle’s form lacks the substance of his rivals, but his presence is justified by a couple of decent French runs and a preference for strong gallops.
Could try to make all if given a soft lead, but ultimately looks up against it for outright win or place claims. Still, every Arc field needs its romantic longshot.
Hotazhell
Completing the line-up, Hotazhell has struggled to land a blow at the group level so far, coming here on a wing and a prayer from Jessica Harrington’s stable.
The Arc may be a case of experience over expectation, yet softer ground and chaos ahead could see him plod past beaten rivals late on.
His odds reflect the magnitude of the task he faces.
Top 3 Predictions
Minnie Hauk – The filly’s unbeaten, progressive season and allowance set her as the one to beat, especially after her strong finishes in the Oaks series.
Aventure – Solid, versatile, and proven at Longchamp, she’s the most logical challenger and could reverse last year’s result with the right trip.
Sosie – Draw 3 gives this colt every chance, especially with his Group 1 form, a proven late finish, and Fabre’s guidance. He rates a serious each-way threat.
Who Will Take The Spoils?
The 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has assembled one of the most competitive fields in recent memory, with a blend of Classic-winning fillies, international raiders, and established Group 1 older horses vying for glory on Parisian turf.
With Minnie Hauk leading the market after an unbeaten season and supplemented at great expense, she brings undeniable star quality and the weight of expectation to Longchamp.
The strong French and Japanese challenge from Aventure, Sosie, Croix Du Nord, Byzantine Dream, and Alohi Alii adds both intrigue and depth, ensuring that the race’s global prestige is well represented this year.
As trends suggest, recent Arc victors have tended to be three or four-year-olds with proven winning form over 1m4f and Group 1 wins on their record, placing particular emphasis on those well drawn and peaking in autumn.
The unpredictable ground conditions and the tactical nuances of Longchamp always produce dramatic outcomes, with no shortage of storylines waiting to unfold.
With stamina, tactical brilliance, and adaptability set to be tested to the maximum, the anticipation ahead of Sunday’s race is palpable.
Whether the prize returns to the home team, crosses to Japan at last, or is claimed by a Classic filly overcoming her older rivals, the 2025 Arc promises another thrilling chapter in this legendary race’s history.
BETFRED
