The upcoming Arc Trials Day at Longchamp promises a spectacular lineup, featuring Daryz, Gstaad, Opera Ballo and Benvenuto Cellini among others. This Sunday’s meeting will act as a final rehearsal for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, giving connections a chance to gauge form and fitness ahead of Europe’s most prestigious race. Daryz, the recent Arc champion, will make his return to ParisLongchamp as he prepares for a defence of his title. His first prep will be the Prix Foy, a traditional stepping‑stone for Arc hopefuls.
The filly‑trained star has impressed in every outing since his victory, and his connections are eager to see if he can repeat the brilliance that saw him dominate the Arc field. Francis‑Henri Graffard’s four‑year‑old, Gstaad, also lines up after a brief hiatus. The last time we saw him was a third‑place finish in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a race in which he was hampered by a disruptive stable incident.
Aside from that solitary blemish, Gstaad’s campaign has been flawless, highlighted by wins in the Prix Ganay and the Prix Aga Khan IV, where he displayed a devastating turn of foot that left rivals trailing. His performance at Longchamp will be closely watched, as he seeks to confirm that he can handle the soft ground that often characterises October at the venue. The meeting also revisits a rivalry from the previous season.
In the Prix du Prince d’Orange, Gstaad was edged out by the Japanese challenger Croix Du Nord, but he bounced back spectacularly a month later, delivering a memorable victory in the Arc by holding off Minnie Hauk in a thrilling finish. That win cemented his reputation as a true champion and will add an extra layer of intrigue to his Arc trial. Bay City Roller, currently priced at 14‑1 for the October showpiece, is another horse to watch.
He secured his second Group 1 triumph in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, where he excelled on soft ground. If the conditions at Longchamp echo those that suited him at Epsom, he could be a serious factor in both the trial and the main event. Two other entries, the Antoine Griezmann‑owned Uthred and Quest For Magic, are expected to be mid‑pack finishers. Quest For Magic, however, has a recent win over the Prix Vermeille contender Rabbit’s Foot in listed company, suggesting he may be capable of a better performance than his rating implies.
Three‑year‑old Gstaad will also contest the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, a race offering a purse just under £400,000. This contest pits him against two rivals from the Sussex Stakes, providing a valuable test of his speed over a mile. In related news, Hollie Doyle will ride Owen Burrows’ filly in the Park Hill Stakes, while Sky Sports Racing continues to broadcast jumps action from Sedgefield on Wednesday and from Bangor‑on‑Dee on Tuesday.
Francis‑Henri Graffard will have a full stable to discuss, including the talented Friendly Soul, who is targeting the Prix Vermeille. Aidan O’Brien, meanwhile, has had a mixed season, repeatedly encountering the brilliant Bow Echo, who beat him in the 2000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes.
Bow Echo’s retirement leaves O’Brien’s miler, a Ryan Moore mount who won the Irish 2000 Guineas, as one of the continent’s top milers. Opera Ballo and Ten Bob Tony both carried eight pounds extra in their last outing against Gstaad, a penalty that has now been reduced to six pounds. Both connections hope the lighter burden will help them close the three‑length gap to the leader.
Opera Ballo has already secured a Group 1 victory this year, winning the Jebel Hatta at Meydan in January and then impressing with a weight‑carrying performance in the bet365 Mile at Sandown. He was later beaten in the Queen Anne by Ten Bob Tony, who pulled off a 50/1 upset. Kieran Shoemark’s mount, after a rough start in the City of York Stakes, could be in striking distance if he finds his rhythm.
Erdenali, a gelding sired by Caravaggio and partnered with Mickael Barzalona, remains a threat. He was unbeaten in Group 3 company until a boxed‑in run left him third as the odds‑on favourite, but his class should not be underestimated. The Qatar Prix Vermeille will see Sparan Nua and Sunly clash in a competitive Group 1 field.
Sparan Nua attempted a step up to 1½ miles in the Yorkshire Oaks, finishing strongly but unable to catch Kalpana, the King George winner. Sunly, a Wertheimer mare, returned this season with a Group 3 win at Saint‑Cloud and a close second in the Group 2 Prix Corrida.
She has since added a Group 1 Prix Jean et Louis Romanet victory and ran impressively behind Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, making her a serious contender with Colin Keane aboard. Survie, fresh from a Grade 1 win in the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes at Saratoga, will be ridden by Ryan Moore. Owned by the Coolmore empire, the horse struggled on a previous trip around Longchamp but appears rejuvenated after a successful spell at Newmarket.
Tattycoram recently defeated Tiffany at Headquarters, a form that has been bolstered by Tiffany’s subsequent Group 1 win in Germany. Among the younger horses, Avec Toi, hailed as Europe’s leading two‑year‑old of 2026, will contest the Qatar Prix la Rochette at 12.58 pm.
Trainer Christopher Head described the colt as a "machine" after a stunning victory, and he will face unbeaten rivals Vignelli and Imperial Strike. Head also has a strong chance of sweeping the first two Group races on the card with Data in the Qatar Prix d’Aumale at 1.33 pm. Data impressed in a Group 3 outing last weekend, and if she can handle the increase in distance and class, she could be the race’s standout. British representation will come from Ed Bethell’s Rogue Passion.
The 4 pm Qatar Prix Niel will feature Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini for Aidan O’Brien. The Ballydoyle horse showed brilliance at the Curragh after a controversial false start in the Epsom equivalent and later produced a solid third in the King George. Francis‑Henri Graffard will oppose him with Varandir, while the Fabre stable will field the strong contender Zaraki. Other notable entries include Royal Rhythm at 2.20 pm, who must give up nine pounds, Coastal Command returning for the King’s and Nicky Henderson’s race at 2.55 pm, and Jiar Madrik chasing a four‑horse field at 4.40 pm.
Finally, a five‑runner Grade 1 at Del Mar at 11.00 am will likely produce a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile contender. Racing fans are encouraged to stay up‑to‑date with the latest news, interviews and features via their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the world of thoroughbred sport.