Scandinavia steps onto the track alongside Queenstown and Caballo De Mar as the Arc weekend kicks off, with live coverage on Sky Sports Racing. The celebrated stayer Scandinavia is the marquee attraction on the opening day of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting, headlining a ten‑horse field for the prestigious Group 1 Prix du Cadran. Under the guidance of Aidan O'Brien, the unbeaten champion arrives having secured five Group 1 triumphs in his last eight starts, and he looks virtually unassailable as he stretches out again over the extended distance. His stablemate Queenstown, piloted by Wayne Lordan, emerges as the most likely challenger.
The Curragh‑trained colt captured a Group 3 race in August and later chased Scandinavia home in the Irish St Leger. After finishing third in the same contest last year, Queenstown could once more threaten the favorite’s dominance. Defending champion Caballo De Mar, trained by George Scott, cannot be discounted after rebounding with a convincing Doncaster Cup win, while the outsider Double Major offers value at longer odds. In the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu, a polished pair of fillies – Sunly and Wardaah – lead an eleven‑horse field.
Francis‑Henri Graffard opted to skip the Arc and instead entered Sunly, who will be a short‑priced contender aiming for her first top‑level victory under Christophe Soumillon. If she can stay the extra distance, she may outshine her rivals.
Wardaah, fresh from a Park Hill Stakes victory at Doncaster where she beat Consent and Cameo, appears ready to test herself at a higher grade. Consent, the previous year’s winner after edging out Santorini Star, has shown steady improvement, finishing fourth at Goodwood and third at Doncaster in recent outings. Another notable entrant is Earth Shot, a Ribblesdale Stakes winner who adds depth to an already strong lineup.
The BetMGM Challenge Cup promises a fiercely contested sprint over seven furlongs, with Thunder Call and Mezcala among the leading prospects in a field of eighteen. Thunder Call, trained by William Haggas, proved his class when he comfortably stepped up to seven furlongs last month, despite drawing stall one.
Mezcala, ridden by Jack Channon, captured the Buckingham Palace Stakes over the same trip at the Royal meeting and has been allowed a weight drop of one pound for his upcoming Doncaster start. Other contenders include the course specialist Hickory and George Boughey’s Moonfall, who impressed at Doncaster but must demonstrate he can handle the seven‑furlong distance. Turning to the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at 12:23 pm, Pierre Bonnard, a son of Camelot, seeks redemption after a disappointing St Leger effort.
He was only two lengths behind Arc hopeful Maltese Cross in the Great Voltigeur and is regarded as the class act in the field. Opponents include Space Waltz from the formidable Fabre stable and Victoire Magique, who will be ridden by Amy Murphy in pursuit of a third consecutive win.
The subsequent Group 2 Prix Dollar pits Wimbledon Hawkeye against Phineas. Hawkeye was arguably unlucky in the Irish Champion Stakes, while Phineas, a four‑time winner, showcases the depth of the Fabre operation.
Distant Storm, representing Charlie Appleby and Godolphin after a Deauville victory, rounds out the competition. At 4:35 pm, the Prix Daniel Wildenstein features Quddwah as the favorite, with Fallen Angel and 2025 Sussex Stakes winner Qirat also in contention.
The BetMGM British EBF October Stakes at Ascot, scheduled for 1:15 pm, sees So Regal, trained by John and Thady Gosden, as the leading candidate after a credible Group 3 performance. Secret History, a three‑time winner, could pose a serious threat despite a sub‑optimal run in a competitive York handicap in August. Sky Sports Racing continues to provide the latest racing news, interviews, and features for fans on the go.
In the five‑furlong BetMGM Rous Stakes at 1:50 pm, Tuco Salamanca meets Regional, while the crowd‑pleaser Al Aasy tackles five rivals in the BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes at 2:25 pm. Al Aasy displayed tenacity when he beat Chestnut Rocket – a future Arc participant – at Deauville.
The 3:00 pm John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes pits Prince Of India against Division, with Division favored after a narrow defeat by Samangan in France. Both Fontwell and Southwell open their gates for a full day of action on the flat and over jumps, offering fifteen races between the two venues. The day opens with three Group 1 contests from Australia, featuring Sir Delius and Aeliana in Flemington’s 7:25 am Turnball Stakes after strong showings at Randwick earlier in the morning.
Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Mandanaba, a Grade 2 runner‑up earlier in the campaign, seeks to return to the winners’ enclosure in the 9:44 pm First Lady Stakes. Classic Q will be partnered with John Velazquez for this step up to Grade 1 company, while stablemate And One More Time aims for a hat‑trick for trainer Mark Casse. American History, who burst onto the scene with an eight‑length debut victory, returns under Todd Pletcher in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, a Grade 1 event for two‑year‑olds.
Purview will face Ancient Egypt in the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine before the focus shifts back to the United States for Keeneland’s Coolmore Turf Mile. Lake Forest carries the Haggas stable’s colors in that race, with Cieren Fallon aboard.
Overall, the Arc weekend promises a packed schedule of high‑quality races across multiple venues, with established stars like Scandinavia and emerging talent such as Sunly and Phineas all vying for top honors. Fans can follow every moment live on Sky Sports Racing, ensuring they never miss a beat of the thrilling action.