The Arc Trials at ParisLongchamp on Sunday delivered a spectacular lineup, featuring Daryz, Gstaad, Opera Ballo and Benvenuto Cellini among others, each aiming to sharpen their form ahead of Europe’s biggest races. Daryz, the recent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion, returned to Longchamp for a crucial prep run in the Prix Foy. The five‑year‑old star, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, used the trial as a final rehearsal before defending his title in the autumn’s Arc.
His performance was a reminder of why he captured the Arc – a devastating turn of foot that left his rivals scrambling. Graffard’s other top‑class runner, the four‑year‑old Gstaad, also featured prominently. Gstaad, a three‑year‑old who has already taken on seasoned milers in the Sussex Stakes, was set to contest the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, a race offering just under £400,000 to the winner. The colt’s connections hope the mile distance and the familiar Longchamp turf will suit his blend of speed and stamina.
Opera Ballo entered the day with a strong résumé, having captured the Jebel Hatta at Meydan in January and later proving his ability to carry weight in the bet365 Mile at Sandown. Although he was beaten in the Queen Anne by Ten Bob Tony, the defeat was narrow and came at long odds of 50/1 for his rival. With a weight allowance of six pounds for the upcoming race, Opera Ballo’s team believes the reduced burden will be enough to erase the three‑length deficit he left behind in his last outing. Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner trained by Aidan O’Brien, was the headline attraction for the Qatar Prix Niel at 4 p.m.
After a controversial start at the Epsom equivalent, the colt rebounded with a solid third in the King George and a dominant display at the Curragh. His presence in the trial signaled that O’Brien is keen to give the gelding a final test before the Arc, and he will be opposed by Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Varandir and Fabre’s Zaraki, both of whom have shown form in recent Group races.
Other notable entries included Bay City Roller, currently priced at 14‑1 for the October Arc. The horse earned his second Group 1 victory by winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom on soft ground in June. If the conditions at Longchamp soften again, Bay City Roller could be in a prime position to challenge the front‑runners.
The day also featured a strong showing from the younger generation. Avec Toi, described by trainer Christopher Head as a "machine" after a stunning previous win, contested the Qatar Prix la Rochette. The No Nay Never‑bred faces unbeaten rivals Vignelli and Imperial Strike, making the race a potential early indicator of the season’s leading two‑year‑old.
In the Qatar Prix Vermeille, a competitive Group 1 contest unfolded between Sparan Nua and Sunly. Sparan Nua, who stepped up to a mile and a half in the Yorkshire Oaks, finished strongly but was unable to overtake the King George winner Kalpana. Sunly, a Wertheimer‑owned mare, had already secured a Group 3 win at Saint‑Cloud and a close second in the Group 2 Prix Corrida. Her recent Group 1 victory in the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet adds further credibility, and with Colin Keane aboard, she is expected to be a serious threat.
Survie, fresh from a Grade 1 win in the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes at Saratoga, arrived under the guidance of Ryan Moore. The Coolmore‑owned colt had previously struggled with a change of yard at Longchamp but appeared revitalised after a spell in Newmarket. The card also highlighted the ongoing rivalry between Aidan O’Brien and George Boughey.
O’Brien’s miler, Bow Echo, had been denied by Boughey’s phenom in three of four starts this year, losing the 2000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes by a combined three lengths. With Bow Echo now retired, O’Brien’s remaining miler, a Ryan Moore‑ridden Irish 2000 Guineas winner, is arguably the best European miler still in training.
Other storylines included the weight‑adjusted clash between Opera Ballo and Ten Bob Tony, both of whom gave Gstaad an eight‑pound disadvantage on the previous day. The reduction to six pounds for today could be enough to close the three‑length gap that separated them. The meeting also featured a series of British entries.
Christopher Head’s promising filly Data, who shone in a Group 3 on the previous day, contested the Qatar Prix d’Aumale at 1.33 p.m. If she can handle the step up in distance and class, she could become the first British winner of the day. Rogue Passion, representing Ed Bethell, added further British interest. In the later stages of the programme, the Fontwell races provided a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising talent.
Royal Rhythm attempted to overcome a nine‑pound increase at 2.20, while Coastal Command returned for the King and Nicky Henderson at 2.55. Jiar Madrik chased a four‑timer at 4.40, and a five‑runner Grade 1 at Del Mar at 11.00 offered a potential Breeders’ Cup Juvenile qualifier. Overall, the Arc Trials Day at Longchamp offered a vivid snapshot of the form landscape heading into the autumn classics. With multiple Group 1 winners, promising juveniles, and seasoned campaigners all testing their mettle, the race‑goers were treated to a rich tapestry of stories that will undoubtedly shape the remainder of the European flat‑racing season.