Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Runners Guide 2025: 17 Remain For Longchamp Showpiece

The 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners are starting to take shape ahead of Sunday’s big Group One contest at Longchamp racecourse in France – with 17 horses left in for Europe’s richest flat race, plus the favourite Minnie Hauk has also now been supplemented.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Runners 2025: 17 Remain With Minnie Hauk To Be Supplemented

This Sunday sees the richest flat race in Europe head to post for the 2025 running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

It’s a prize worth £2,361,157 to the winner and one that legendary French trainer André Fabre has won a remarkable EIGHT times.

He’ll be trying for a ninth success, with two strong Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners – Cualificar and last year’s fourth Sosie.

However, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trends tell us Cualificar will be trying to become the first Prix Niel winner to follow up in the Arc since Rail Link in 2006.

Top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien will be looking for his third win in the race – having taken it with Dylan Thomas and Found in the past.

This year the O’Brien Arc runners will be Los Angeles and Minnie Hauk, who was supplemented for the race this week.

We’ll also see three entries from Japan, including the Oisin Murphy-ridden Byzantine Dream – as they look to win the Arc for the first time.

The final field of 18 is down to 17 now with the David O’Meara-trained Estrange a non-runner.

SportsCasting’s horse racing expert Andy Newton looks at all the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners below in our Longchamp guide.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Date 2025 

📅Date: Sunday 5th October 2025
⌚Time: 3:05pm
🏇Racecourse: Longchamp
💰Winner: £2,361,157
📺 TV: ITV / Sky Racing

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Runners Guide 2025 🏇

1. GIAVELLOTTO 🇬🇧

COMMENT: Lowered the colours of Kalpana at Kempton last time out in the September Stakes (watch below) and has won over £2.3m in total prize money.

Won the G1 Hong Kong Vase last December to give him his breakthrough win at the highest level and has been in the top three in 16 of his 21 starts.

But at the age of 6 would be the oldest Arc winner since Motrico in 1932, who was aged 7.

Since 1933, EVERY Arc winner has been aged 5 or younger and the softer ground is not ideal.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

2. WHITE BIRCH 🇮🇪

COMMENT: Classy on his day but has had his troubles in recent seasons – having only run three times since May 2024.

Last seen running a fair 5th in the Irish Champion Stakes behind the classy Delacroix (watch below) and should be better for that run, which came after 3 1/2 months off.

Looking to be only the second Irish-trained Arc winner since 2010, but the race has only produced three winning 5 year-olds since 1989.

Overlooked but has acted well on heavy in the past if more rain comes.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐

3. ARROW EAGLE 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Won four on the spin earlier this year climaxing with a win in the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly in June. But his winning run came to an end last time when only 6th in the Prix Foy here at Longchamp.

On a plus, the Rouget yard have won two of the last five Arcs.

But that last race saw the likes of Los Angeles (4th), Sosie (2nd) and Byzantine Dream (1st) ahead of him – so has plenty to find on that form, but won’t mind the ground.

STAR RATING: ⭐

4. SOSIE 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Last year’s Arc 4th is back to try and go three places better and certainly has to be given a chance coming from the André Fabre yard, who have eight wins in this race.

Has trained on well this season too – winning the two Group Ones, the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan. Was last seen running a close second to Byzantine Dream (1/2 length) in the Prix Foy – which would have put him spot-on for this.

The last horse to hit the top four in the Arc and go onto win it the following season was Sottsass, who was third in 2019 and won a year later.

Also loves Longchamp – with form here reading 1-1-1-4-1-1-2.

Has 6lbs more to carry this time – but has a similar draw (4 last year) and has been handed gate 3 this time.

Looks sure to be involved.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. LOS ANGELES 🇮🇪

Comment: This Aidan O’Brien Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner has won just shy of £2m in total prize money for connections and been a stalwart for connections over the last few seasons.

Also ran third in the race 12 months ago as a 3 year-old – beaten on 2 3/4 lengths to Bluestocking.

Returned this season with a gutsy G1 win – this time in the Tattersalls Gold Cup back in May at the Curragh. However, has lost his way since a bit with three defeats.

The last was when 4th in the Prix Foy over the Arc course and distance (watch below), so has 2 3/4 lengths to find with the winner that day – the Japanese-trained Byzantine Dream.

Needs to bounce back.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐

6. BYZANTINE DREAM  🇯🇵

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

COMMENT: Connections have booked Oisin Murphy to ride again after steering him to victory in the Prix Foy in early September.

Had last year’s Arc 4th Sosie 1/2 a length back in second that day – plus Los Angeles in 4th and Arrow Eagle in 6th.

That course experience will be a big plus and is still lightly-raced (10 runs) for his age so there could be more to come.

Will be looking to become the first Japan-trained Arc winner and from their three entries this year – looks their best hope of getting that historic breakthrough success.

British champion jockey elect – Oisin Murphy is yet to win the race, but has a great chance here.

Does, however, needs to overcome a wide draw (15) – which will make life very hard.

7. ESTRANGE 🇬🇧 (NON-RUNNER)

COMMENT: Classy filly from the David O’Meara yard in North Yorkshire.

Lightly-raced with only six career runs, but has won four of those and wasn’t disgraced when second to the likely Arc favourite Minnie Hauk last time at York.

Has 3 1/2 lengths to find on that running but acts well on softer ground so that could help her close the gap and will also get the handy 3lbs fillies’ allowance from the older horses.

The Arc has seen five fillies win since 2016 – so with ‘girl power’ on her side can’t be ruled out.

But does have ground to make up with Minnie Hauk and draw 18 not ideal.

Now a non-runner after a dirty scope.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

8. QUISISANA 🇫🇷

COMMENT: From the Francis Henri Graffard yard that are still hunting their first Arc winner.

Last seen winning the G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in good fashion – beating last year’s Arc 7th Survie by 1 3/4 lengths.

Acts well on all ground too and is another mare, so will get the 3lb allowance. But is also another of the older horses (5) in the race and the stats tell us those aged 3 or 4 have the better record.

She’s also raced twice here at Longchamp in the past and not fired (3rd and 5th).

Top draw in 7 too, with 18 of the last 23 coming from gates 8 or lower.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐

9. KALPANA 🇬🇧

COMMENT: Had been propping up the Arc ante-post market as favourite for some time – but has increased in price after losing to Giavellotto in the September Stakes at Kempton last time.

However, the form of her second to the classy Calandagan in the King George at Ascot (watch below) is still very useful and also wasn’t disgraced in trying to give 12lbs to Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June.

Calandagan can’t run in the Arc as he’s a gelding – but if he could, he’d certainly be one of the big fancies. So, with that in mind, despite running a bit flat the last day has drifted to a value e/w price.

Has also raced 12 times (5 wins) and is yet to finish out of the top three.

Trainer Andrew Balding is yet to win the race, but her Juddmonte owners have a top record with seven wins, including last year with Bluestocking.

Looks decent each-way value – last year’s third Los Angeles came from gate 10.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

10. AVENTURE 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Christophe Ferland is another of the big home-based trainers that is still looking for their first Arc winner.

However, with this 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe many feel they’ve got an excellent chance of breaking their duck – having run second in the race 12 months ago.

She has trained on well this season too – running Calandagan to second in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in June and winning the Qatar Prix Vermeille last time out – the same trial race last year’s Arc winner Bluestocking won.

Being aged 3 last year, she only had 8-9 to carry so a year older will see her with 9-2 and more on her plate but is as consistent as they come – hitting the top two in 11 of her 12 career starts (6 wins).

Looks a big player once again with Longchamp form figures that read 2-2-2-1-1.

Was drawn 4 last year and has a wider berth in 12.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

11. DARYZ 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Another from the Graffard team and is another that has shown a liking for Longchamp 1-1-1-2, with his last run a close second to Croix Du Nord in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange.

However, is stepping up to the top table here so more needed and his only run at this level saw him finish 6th in the Juddmonte International to Ombudsman, albeit in a messy race.

But that came on good-to-firm ground – his best form is with give.

Would be looking to become the first Arc winner for the Aga Khan Stud since Zarakava in 2008.

But ran on well the last day over 1m2f to suggest the longer trip will suit and draw 2 is perfect.

And loves Longchamp 1-1-1-2 – having yet to finish out of the first two.

Is also by 2009 winner Sea The Stars too so is bred for the job – looks to have a great chance of giving Mickael Barzalona his first Arc win.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

12. LEFFARD 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Another runner for trainer J-C Rouget, who has the best recent record in the Arc (2-from-4), but this 3 year-old colt needs to bounce back from a poor 6th in the Prix Neil last time.

Was 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner that day Cualificar, so has that ground to make up – but was a nice winner of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over this course and distance in July.

Has only had six career runs and if you can forgive that last effort when sent off favourite (did race a bit keen).

Can’t be discounted and could run well at a price if settling a bit better.

But the softer ground isn’t ideal.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

13. CUALIFICAR 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Won the Prix Niel last time out – a race last year’s Arc fourth Sosie took.

But the last winner of that trial to win the Arc was Rail Link in 2006, so he’s got this stat to overcome.

However, did it well the last day and hails from the 8-time winning Arc stable of Andre Fabre.

Was also a close 2nd in the French Derby earlier this season at Chantilly and is 2-from-2 at Longchamp.

Certainly one of the more likely winners and is also Godolphin-owned and will be trying to give them their first winner since Marienbard in 2002.

Draw 8 looks just about okay too and will be looking to give jockey William Buick a first Arc win.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

14. HOTAZHELL 🇮🇪

COMMENT: Won the G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes last season – beating this season’s Irish Champion Stakes winner Delacroix.

But hasn’t won a race since and has been a tad disappointing with connections chopping and changing his trip.

Last seen running okay in the Irish Champion Stakes (4th) over 1m 2f but has never raced over the Arc trip (1m 4f) and breeding suggests it might be hit or miss if he’ll get home.

Hard to think he’ll stay.

STAR RATING: ⭐

15. CROIX DU NORD 🇯🇵

COMMENT: Another of the Japan runners looking to create history and having won the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at Longchamp (1m 2f) last time so isn’t without a squeak – beating Daryz.

That win came on very soft ground but has also won on good-to-firm, so does seem to handle most underfoot conditions and won the Japan Derby over 1m4f back in June.

Well-bred by Kitasan Black too and with that track experience under his belt can’t be ruled out.

But life a lot harder from gate 17.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

16. ALOHI ALII 🇯🇵

COMMENT: The final of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners from Japan and like their other two – is not without a chance.

Last seen winning the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville easily – beating the Brian Meehan-trained Rashabar by an easy 3 1/2 lengths.

That came on soft ground and over 1m2f – so will need to stay the longer Arc trip but certainly wasn’t stopping at the end of that Deauville race.

Plus gate 4 looks ideal – seems to have the best draw of the Japan Arc runners.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

17. GEZORA 🇫🇷

COMMENT: Final 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner from the Graffard yard – and this 3  year-old filly will get both the age and weight allowances.

Last seen running second to Aventure in the G1 Prix Vermeille – getting 8lbs, so has a bit of ground to make up there.

But before that won the Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly.

Has raced three times at Longchamp (1 win) and been in the first three each time. Getting the weight and with only eight career runs can’t be discounted.

Squeak – especially if the Longchamp going turns softer.

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

18. MINNIE HAUK 🇮🇪 

COMMENT: Has been supplemented for the race and it’s easy to see why. This Aidan O’Brien-trained filly has gone from strength-to-strength this season – winning four Oaks races.

These started with the Cheshire Oaks back in May and has since added the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks.

Beat another Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner in Estrange last time by 3 1/2 lengths at York (watch below) and being aged 3 is another that will get the age and fillies allowance – with only 8-9 to carry.

She’ll be looking to give O’Brien his third Arc win – after successes with Dylan Thomas in 2007 and Found in 2016 – and barring having never run at Longchamp, it’s hard to knock her chance.

If going off as the market leader – the race has seen seven winning favourites in the last 23 runnings.

It cost €120k to get her in the race but with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe prize money purse €5m connections will be hoping it’s worth it.

Looks the one to beat but really soft ground is an unknown known – having only raced on soft (won) once.

Drawn 1 too – the last winner from this berth was Zarkava in 2008.

While O’Brien seemingly likes nine-year gaps between his Arc wins – taking the race in 2007 (Dylan Thomas) and 2016 (Found) – so will the this 9-year trend continue in 2025?

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Note: All odds on this page are subject to change