Our senior form analyst peers into the field for Europe’s most illustrious flat contest, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Sunday. He breaks down the form, highlights the key protagonists and offers his top pick for the race that decides the continent's best middle‑distance horse. The Arc is, above all, a clash of nations and generations.
It is not merely a showcase race; it is a decisive test that crowns the true champion of the season. When a defending winner returns, the intrigue deepens, adding another layer of motivation for both the horse and its connections. Below is a detailed look at the runners slated for the 2026 edition, widely regarded as the premier flat race in the world.
**Daryz – the star‑filled favourite** "If you want to be a star, you have to look the part," the trainer once quipped, and Daryz has worn the mantle of Arc champion with aplomb this year. After a puzzling blood‑test issue at Royal Ascot, the horse rebounded spectacularly in the Prix Foy, posting a blistering 42 mph and covering a furlong in just 10.68 seconds. Such speed over a staying distance underlines the power of his engine and makes him a daunting opponent for anyone on the Longchamp turf. His performance suggests that rivals will have to bring a rare combination of stamina and turn‑of‑foot to stand a chance.
**Roger Varian’s contender** Varian has previously fielded an Arc runner in 2014 (Kingston Hill) and 2016 (Postponed). This year his entry, Saddadd, lacks the high‑profile accolades of his stablemates but has been improving steadily. After a London Gold Cup win, the horse captured a German Group One at the Grosser Preis von Baden – a race that has produced past Arc winners such as Marienbard, Danedream and Torquator Tasso.
Although this is Saddadd’s first attempt at the 2,400‑metre trip, he has shown top‑class speed in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Coral‑Eclipse, making him a plausible long‑shot. **Polish Derby winner** A four‑year‑old who excelled in France last season, this horse split Al Aasy and Arrow Eagle in the Group Two Grand Prix de Deauville.
While the form shows promise, the step up to the Arc remains a significant challenge. **Japanese challenge – Meisho Tabaru** Japan’s most credible hope is Meisho Tabaru, a proven Group One performer with back‑to‑back victories in the Takarazuka Kinen, where he beat Croix Du Nord (a 14‑1 Arc contender last year) and Danon Decile, a former Sheema Classic winner.
Tabaru prefers to lead from the front, a tactic that earned him a fifth‑place finish in the 2025 Dubai Turf behind fellow Japanese runner Soul Rush. Historically, Japanese horses have struggled in the Arc, with 38 attempts over six decades yielding no winner, but Tabaru’s class keeps the hope alive. **Arrow Eagle – the veteran** Two‑time Arc participant and winner of 14 French Classics, Arrow Eagle will make his final start under trainer Jean‑Claude Rouget. He performed admirably on good ground but thrives in softer conditions, something that may not be replicated at Longchamp.
His recent showing in the Prix Foy suggested he was outclassed by Daryz, yet his experience could prove valuable in a tactical race. **Minnie Hauk** The mare recorded the widest winning margin in Arc history – six lengths – when she beat Daryz a year ago. This season, however, she has struggled to reproduce that dominance, appearing off‑colour in recent outings.
Still, history shows that mares such as Treve and Found have returned to win the Arc after a disappointing run, so she cannot be dismissed outright. **Kalpana** Last year’s draw proved unfavorable for Kalpana, but she has since blossomed into a powerful five‑year‑old.
With a current rating of 125, she sits above recent winners Found, Alpinista and Bluestocking. Her recent triumph in the Prix Vermeille, the fastest of the three trial races that day, demonstrates she can sustain a high cruising speed over the Arc distance.
If she can translate that form to Longchamp, she could be a serious contender. **Maltese Cross** The three‑year‑old colt has been refined over a campaign of 393 days and seven preparatory races, emerging as a potent blend of stamina and speed.
He clocked 43.1 mph in the Grand Prix de Paris – faster than Daryz’s best at Longchamp – and now carries a rating that eclipses many established three‑year‑old colts. Although he has yet to contest the Arc, his progression suggests he could be the dark horse that surprises the field. **Thundering On** A filly with a rating of 117, just a pound shy of Minnie Hauk’s, Thundering On impressed in the Oaks and delivered a blistering final two furlongs in the Blandford at the Curragh, outpacing any recent Group One sprinter.
Her pedigree and recent form make her a strong candidate, especially given the historical success of three‑year‑old fillies such as Zarkava, Danedream, Treve and Enable. **Diamond Necklace** If the Prix Jean‑Romanet had not been run, Diamond Necklace would likely sit second‑favourite for the Arc. The unbeaten dual‑Classic winner thrashed a recent Prix Vermeille victor in the Nassau and currently enjoys a higher rating than Thundering On. A defeat to Aventure has raised questions about her development, but market momentum suggests she may still improve and stay the trip.
**Overall outlook** Daryz remains the headline act, possessing a rare combination of turn‑of‑foot and staying power that could cement his place in Arc folklore. Yet the market may be undervaluing Maltese Cross, whose blend of stamina and hidden speed positions him as the strongest three‑year‑old in Europe.
The field is deep, with seasoned veterans, emerging stars and international challengers all vying for glory. Fans can catch every moment of the Arc weekend, including the Saturday and Sunday races, live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512).
The race promises high drama, international intrigue and the chance to witness a new chapter in the storied history of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.