The final field for the 105th edition of Europe’s most prestigious horse race, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1), has been officially locked at 16 runners ahead of this Sunday’s showdown at ParisLongchamp. Contenders will battle for a €5 million total purse, with €2.8 million ($3.1 million) going directly to the victor.
This year’s renewal marks a historic milestone as the final edition restricted purely to colts, fillies, and mares, following France Galop’s landmark announcement that geldings will be permitted to race starting in 2027.
The Draw Ceremony
Under France Galop’s newly introduced format, the starting gates were drawn electronically on the morning of Thursday, October 1, under judicial supervision, before being dramatically unveiled during the official opening ceremony that evening.
Defending champion Daryz received a massive boost in his bid to become only the ninth horse in history—and the first colt since Alleged in 1978—to retain the Arc crown. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Daryz drew stall 5, right next to his stablemate Varandir in stall 4.
“I do not like things I cannot control,” noted trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “However, we were spoiled tonight. Both have a good draw, so I am relieved.”
International Contenders & Key Declarations
• The Irish Powerhouse: Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien officially declared a three-strong squad from Ballydoyle: Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini (stall 1), Prix de Diane champion Diamond Necklace (stall 16), and last year’s runner-up Minnie Hauk (stall 10). Joseph O’Brien will saddle Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On (stall 3).
• The Japanese Ambition: Japan continues its historic quest to win its first Arc, opting for a bold strategy by sending both Admire Terra (stall 12) and Meisho Tabaru (stall 13) straight into the race without a European prep run. Admire Terra will be partnered with two-time Arc winner Cristian Demuro, while the legendary Yutaka Take returns for his 12th Arc appearance aboard Meisho Tabaru.
• The British Challengers: William Haggas’s highly-regarded Maltese Cross (stall 11) and the formidable filly Kalpana (stall 6) look to pose major threats from across the Channel.
France Galop interview with William Haggis:
The Arc remains a dream yet to be fulfilled for William Haggas. At the age of 66, the English trainer, based at Somerville Lodge in Newmarket, returns to ParisLongchamp with Maltese Cross… eight years after coming agonisingly close to victory with Sea of Class. The filly’s second place behind champion Enable in 2018 remains a very vivid memory for William Haggas, combining both pride and disappointment.
Three-year-old Maltese Cross carries the colours of film producer George Waud. He is the main challenger to defending champion Daryz. Like Sea of Class, both are by Sea the Stars, winner of the Arc in 2009 and now standing at Gilltown Stud in Ireland, one of the Aga Khan Studs’ European operations.
As organiser of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, France Galop today invited journalists to a press conference with William Haggas. Here are his main comments:
On the decision to run Maltese Cross in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
“When he won the Grand Prix de Paris, overcoming a difficult situation, that was the first time he really showed me speed. Then, in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, about 500 metres from the finish, he travelled into the race very easily and showed more speed than the others. And yet his rivals had strong form over 2,400 metres. So, deep down, I think the Arc was always the race that seemed most suitable for him.
“For an Englishman, the St Leger is obviously a very prestigious race, but it is run over a little more than 2,800 metres. Although I think he would stay that trip without any problem, I felt he deserved the opportunity to take his chance in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“What I like about him is that every one of his races this year has been better than the one before. And I think that last time at York he probably produced his best performance, certainly from a ratings point of view. He was giving five pounds to the Irish Derby runner-up and beat him comfortably.
“Everyone wants to win the Arc. To line up with a chance is fantastic for us, just as it is for anybody. Everyone with a runner in the Arc is delighted to be taking part. Somebody will win it. We just hope it will be us.”
On the colt’s current form
“I think he has improved physically. He is not particularly spectacular at home, so he is quite difficult to assess, but his work has been satisfactory. We took him to a racecourse about ten days ago. He worked well without overexerting himself, and I was very pleased with him.
“He is quite an easy horse to get fit and does not need a great deal of work. But he can have too much energy. So we have to find the right balance: give him enough work to stop him doing anything silly, but not so much that we tire him out. I hope we have found that balance.”
On the ground conditions
“There are two things you can do nothing about: the weather and the draw. So you just have to deal with them. The ground will suit him whatever it is. Obviously, if it were very soft or heavy, that would not be ideal for him because I do not think he is as effective in those conditions. But that does not appear likely to be the case.”
2026 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Final Field
No. Horse Jockey
1 Daryz Mickael Barzalona
2 Saddadd Ray Dawson
3 Chestnut Rocket Marvin Grandin
4 Admire Terra Cristian Demuro
5 Meisho Tabaru Yutaka Take
6 Arrow Eagle Ioritz Mendizabal
7 Bay City Roller Oisin Murphy
8 Minnie Hauk TBC
9 Kalpana Colin Keane
10 Friendly Soul James Doyle
11 Varandir Clement Lecoeuvre
12 Benvenuto Cellini Ryan Moore
13 Bright Light Benjamin Marie
14 Maltese Cross Tom Marquand
15 Thundering On Pierre-Charles Boudot
16 Diamond Necklace TBC
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