Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Confrimations: Key Contenders and Their Potential

The field is set for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday afternoon (3.05) with a field of 18 runners set to contend for one of Europe's most treasured prizes in the Parisian suburb.

It's a field packed with potential and rich in class as the generations get set to class over the mile-and-a-half trip at Longchamp. Here's a look at the contenders.

Giavellotto (Marco Botti)

He didn't quite make it as a stayer but the drop in trip this season has witnessed a reinvention. Beat leading Arc hope Kalpana in the September Stakes at Kempton last time but connections are fearful of soft ground.

White Birch (JJ Murphy)

Group 1 winner via the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland in 2024, bubbling just beneath his best in three runs this season - all at the top level - but relishes soft ground and should get conditions to suit.

Arrow Eagle (Jean Claude Rouget)

Half-brother to the brilliant 2023 Arc winner Ace Impact, this Gleneagles colt was progressing nicely on soft going with four wins prior to a disappointing sixth in the Prix Fox over track and trip last month.

Sosie (Andre Fabre)

Trained by the Arc legend that is Andre Fabre, his preparation has been typical of some of the yard's previous scorers in this race. Second in the Prix Foy, handles soft going and should be primed now.

Los Angeles (Aidan O'Brien)

Camelot colt was third in this a year ago, but after opening his season with successive Irish wins he has hit the skids to a degree and was no better than fourth in the Prix Foy here last time.

Byzantine Dream (T. S. Sakaguchi)

Japanese raider, he stays further than this trip, but it didn't prevent him defeating a few of these rivals to win the Prix Fox over C&D last time.

Estrange (David O'Meara)

British entrant is 4-6 in her career so far and seemingly relishes soft ground. She was beaten by Minnie Hauk at York in August in a four-runner event, but this promises a much different test. Still an unknown quantity.

Quisisana (Francis Graffard)

French mare stormed to a Listed win on soft ground at Chantilly last summer on her only crack at this trip. She's 3-3 this year and, though this is the biggest test of her career, it would be folly to dismiss her.

Kalpana (Andrew Balding)

Juddmonte-owned filly had Group 1-winning form on soft ground last year at this sort of trip. She's 0-4 in 2025, but with some big efforts in there, however, last month's Kempton second behind Giavellotto was a setback.

Aventure (Christophe Ferland)

Second to Bluestocking in this race 12 months ago, she could become the 16th Arc winner to score 12 months after being beaten. Sea The Stars filly is 3-4 this season including the Prix Vermeille over C&D last time (soft).

Daryz (Francis Graffard)

The three-year-old son of Sea The Stars won his first four starts before disappointing in York's Juddmonte International. Back on track when short-head second to Croix Du Nord in a Group 3 over 1m2f (soft) here and further progress possible up in trip.

Leffard (Jean Claude Rouget)

French contender perhaps lacks the form in the book of some others on the home team, but he's a Group 1 winner and comes from a top stable.

Cualificar (Andre Fabre)

Winner of the Prix Niel over C&D on soft ground last month here, a tried and trusted trial for Andre Fabre with his 3YO Arc contenders. More needed again now.

Hotazhell (Jessica Harrington)

Smart youngster last season but hasn't truly progressed this term. He has raced only in elite company, however. Fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes en route here and has stamina to prove.

Croix Du Nord (Takashi Saito)

The Japanese Derby winner, he edged out Daryz to win the Prix du Prince d'Orange over 1m2f on soft ground here last month on his European bow and he's a leading contender to give his nation a coveted first Arc win.

Alohi Alii (Hiroyasu Tanaka)

Behind some of these on Japanese form, but really impressed as he won the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville in August over 1m2f (soft), with Cualificar a distant third. Emphasis was on speed there, stamina to prove now.

Gezora (Francis Graffard)

Daughter of Almanzor was second-best behind Aventure in the Prix Vermeille over C&D (soft) last time out, but could get much closer this time, given the way she was finishing that race.

Minnie Hauk (Aidan O'Brien)

Winner of the Oaks at Epsom and the Curragh this summer and dismissed Estrange in the Yorkshire Oaks last time. She's a big player for Aidan O'Brien and her top connections paid the supplementary fee this week to add her to the mix.

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe confirmed runners and riders (stall numbers)