The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the world’s premier middle-distance turf contest, run over 1m4f at ParisLongchamp.
On Sunday, seventeen of the finest Thoroughbreds from Europe and Japan will race for ultimate glory and a share of €5 million.
Each year, the Arc runners and riders list is pored over by punters and racing fans alike, seeking clues on form, draw, and tactical advantage.
Entries, Withdrawals, and the 2025 Line-up
Initially, 18 horses were confirmed for this year’s Arc, but the field has been trimmed to 17 after the late withdrawal of Estrange.
The talented grey filly, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, was a live contender before she scoped dirty after exercise, forcing connections to withdraw and pay a €25,000 penalty.
Trainer David O’Meara called the setback “devastating” after a season headlined by wins at Haydock and a runner-up finish in the Yorkshire Oaks.
Estrange will now target Ascot later this month, remaining in training for the 2026 season.
2025 Arc Runners & Riders
Minnie Hauk (Stall 1) – Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Christophe Soumillon, a multiple Classic-winning rider, partners the red-hot favourite from the perfect inside draw. Unbeaten in four major Oaks this season, Minnie Hauk’s tactical speed should allow Soumillon to dictate terms in search of his third Arc win.
Aventure (Stall 12) – Jockey: Maxime Guyon
Maxime Guyon, a regular partner of Wertheimer horses, claimed the Arc on Solemia (2012). He’s now riding a filly with two Longchamp wins in 2025 and Arc experience, drawn wide but armed with stamina and experience. Trainer Christophe Ferland looks for his breakthrough win at the very top.
Sosie (Stall 3) – Jockey: Stephane Pasquier
Stephane Pasquier, famed for winning the Arc on Rail Link (2006) and his patience in big fields, rides Sosie, a Group 1 winner returning after a strong fourth last year. Andre Fabre, with a record eight Arc wins, handles the training—no team knows how to win this race better.
Byzantine Dream (Stall 15) – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Dual European champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes the mount for Japan, hoping to overcome a tough draw. Byzantine Dream, proven at Group level in France and Japan, needs luck in running and a strong late kick.
Kalpana (Stall 10) – Jockey: Colin Keane
Colin Keane, Irish Champion Jockey, lands a competitive ride with Kalpana. She’s progressed rapidly through Group races and is drawn to find cover early, ready to pounce if the pace is genuine.
Daryz (Stall 2) – Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Mickael Barzalona, remembered for winning the Derby on Pour Moi, is a confident jockey in big races. Daryz brings consistent form and a perfect inside draw to optimize his chances of featuring late.
Cualificar (Stall 8) – Jockey: William Buick
William Buick, Epsom Derby and Arc runner-up, rides Andre Fabre’s second string. Cualificar’s rapid improvement and a midfield draw make him a notable each-way option if ground and pace suit.
Croix Du Nord (Stall 17) – Jockey: Yuichi Kitamura
Yuichi Kitamura, a regular big-race rider in Japan, faces an uphill battle from the widest draw. Croix Du Nord won the Japanese Derby, but this post position may demand a late swooping run and luck.
Gezora (Stall 13) – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Tom Marquand, winner of the St Leger, teams with Gezora for the first time. Drawn high, she’ll need a true pace but has the stamina and finishing kick to pick up pieces.
Alohi Alii (Stall 4) – Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Christophe Lemaire, champion in Japan and France, partners a lightly raced Japanese colt in a handy spot. Alohi Alii is progressive and rates a serious dark horse if he breaks well.
Quisisana (Stall 7) – Jockey: Alexis Pouchin
Alexis Pouchin, in his first Arc ride, partners a lightly raced Group performer with proven form on soft. The draw is ideal for a late run if she’s good enough.
Giavellotto (Stall 5) – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Andrea Atzeni, with wins in the St Leger and major trials, takes the ride on renowned stayer Giavellotto. The draw helps, but he’ll need strong pacing for his stamina to tell.
White Birch (Stall 9) – Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
Young Irish star McMonagle, Irish Derby-winning pilot, takes the ride on the late-closing White Birch. A midfield draw allows him choice, but traffic could be an issue.
Los Angeles (Stall 14) – Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Wayne Lordan, winner of the Irish Derby, pilots a colt needing to rekindle his best form. The wide draw is a negative, forcing patience and tactical boldness if he’s to place.
Leffard (Stall 6) – Jockey: Cristian Demuro
Cristian Demuro, twice an Arc winner (Sottsass, Treve), teams with Leffard, a colt who’ll seek a prominent role from a handy draw. Capable of running into a minor place.
Hotazhell (Stall 11) – Jockey: Shane Foley
Shane Foley, Irish Classic-winning rider, has a big outsider in Hotazhell. Midfield draw gives options, but form suggests a struggle unless the race dramatically falls apart.
Arrow Eagle (Stall 16) – Jockey: Ioritz Mendizabal
Veteran French jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, past Arc winner (Dalakhani 2003), attempts a shock in partnership with longshot Arrow Eagle from the extreme outside. Only a collapse would bring him close.
Runners & Riders Odds
It should come as no surprise that the trainer dominating the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting markets is Aidan O’Brien with his hopeful Minnie Hauk.
Supplemented into the race for a whopping €120,000 on Wednesday, her owners – Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor – will be hoping that she can add another incredible win to her already impressive CV.
It’s not a done deal, however, and there’s plenty of talent heading to the stalls, so look for some each-way value further down the pecking order, if you think this may be one race too many for Minnie Hauk.
| No | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer | Form | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (1) | Minnie Hauk | 7/2 | 3 | 8-9 | Christophe Soumillon | A P O'Brien | 1-1111 |
| 10 (12) | Aventure | 6/1 | 4 | 9-2 | Maxime Guyon | C Ferland | 2-1121 |
| 9 (10) | Kalpana | 9/1 | 4 | 9-2 | Colin Keane | Andrew Balding | 1-3222 |
| 16 (4) | Alohi Alii | 10/1 | 3 | 8-13 | Christophe Lemaire | Hiroyasu Tanaka | 1-2381 |
| 6 (15) | Byzantine Dream | 11/1 | 4 | 9-5 | Oisin Murphy | Tomoyasu Sakaguchi | 5-6121 |
| 8 (7) | Quisisana | 11/1 | 5 | 9-2 | Alexis Pouchin | F-H Graffard | 51-111 |
| 11 (2) | Daryz | 11/1 | 3 | 8-13 | Mickael Barzalona | F-H Graffard | 111162 |
| 4 (3) | Sosie | 12/1 | 4 | 9-5 | Stephane Pasquier | A Fabre | 4-1162 |
| 15 (17) | Croix Du Nord | 12/1 | 3 | 8-13 | Yuichi Kitamura | Takashi Saito | 11-211 |
| 13 (8) | Cualificar | 14/1 | 3 | 8-13 | William Buick | A Fabre | 111231 |
| 2 (9) | White Birch | 25/1 | 5 | 9-5 | Dylan Browne McMonagle | John Joseph Murphy | 11-245 |
| 12 (6) | Leffard | 28/1 | 3 | 8-13 | Cristian Demuro | J-C Rouget | 112016 |
| 18 (13) | Gezora | 28/1 | 3 | 8-9 | Tom Marquand | F-H Graffard | 1-3112 |
| 1 (5) | Giavellotto | 33/1 | 6 | 9-5 | Andrea Atzeni | Marco Botti | 31-531 |
| 5 (14) | Los Angeles | 33/1 | 4 | 9-5 | Wayne Lordan | A P O'Brien | -11544 |
| 14 (11) | Hotazhell | 50/1 | 3 | 8-13 | Shane Foley | Mrs John Harrington | 1-3544 |
| 3 (16) | Arrow Eagle | 100/1 | 4 | 9-5 | Ioritz Mendizabal | J-C Rouget | -11116 |
Arc Legends: Trainers & Owners
Andre Fabre dominates Arc history with an unmatched eight wins, including Rail Link, Peintre Celebre, and Waldgeist.
Jean-Claude Rouget, with recent wins via Sottsass and Ace Impact, fields Leffard and Arrow Eagle, striving to add to his tally.
Aidan O’Brien, whose global record is unmatched, sends Minnie Hauk and Los Angeles, hoping for a breakthrough with a filly whose profile matches past heroines.
Owners of distinction include Wertheimer & Frère (multiple Arc winners with Goldikova and Solemia) and Coolmore (the Magnier, Tabor, Smith partnership), who have won the race with Found but crave more.
Japan’s major ownership groups, including Hirosaki Yoshida and the U Carrot Farm contingent, are bidding for that elusive first Arc win.
All To Do On Sunday
The Arc’s 2025 line-up features the best of Europe and Japan, supported by a host of champion jockeys and trainers with rich histories in the world’s greatest turf race.
With Estrange heartbreakingly ruled out on the eve of the draw, 17 stand ready for Paris glory, their chances shaped by draw, form, and race-riding nuance.
As the Arc runners and riders head postward on Sunday, another chapter of Arc history awaits.
Will it be a favourite, a revitalised outsider, or a new international legend who rules at Longchamp this time?
BETFRED
