Daryz is set to defend his title in the 2026 edition of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the most lucrative flat race in Europe, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3:05 p.m. The colt’s connections are hoping he will become the first male horse since Alleged in 1978 to win the Arc in consecutive years, a feat that would cement his place in racing history. Francis‑Henri Graffard’s star performer has already shown he belongs at the very top level. After a brilliant win in the Prix Ganay, Daryz followed up with another dominant display in the Prix Aga Khan IV.
A trip to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in June did not go as planned – he finished third and was subsequently found to have a minor blood issue that required treatment. Once he recovered, the colt returned to form in the Prix Foy, where he beat the previous Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller despite being only 75 percent fit, according to his trainer. Drawn in stall five for the Arc, Daryz heads the betting at very short odds, and his team is confident he can handle any challenge that comes his way.
Kalpana, who was seventh in the same race last year, will be looking for redemption. The filly returns to Longchamp hoping to repeat the success of Juddmonte’s Bluestocking, who captured the prize two years ago. The King George winner has added two Group 1 victories to her record this season and appears in good condition.
She will start from stall six, a position that suits her running style, and she will be ridden again by Colin Keane, who has partnered her for another year. Kalpana could be a serious threat if she can replicate her previous form. Maltese Cross offers William Haggas a chance to claim his first Arc victory.
The three‑year‑old, a son of Sea The Stars, has already secured a Group 1 win in the Great Voltigeur Stakes after finishing second in the Derby and taking the Grand Prix de Paris. Unfortunately, he has been drawn in stall eleven, a less favorable draw that may compromise his chances. Nevertheless, his progressive improvement throughout the season makes him a contender worth watching. Aidan O'Brien will field three Classic winners in the race.
Ryan Moore has opted to ride the Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, leaving Diamond Necklace, who draws the notoriously difficult stall sixteen, to another rider. The previous year’s runner‑up Minnie Hauk completes the O'Brien trio and will be partnered by William Buick, who will be eager to turn a second‑place finish into a win. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are available on your phone via Sky Sports Racing. Aventure, a proven Group 1 performer against her own sex, heads the nine‑horse field in the Prix de l'Opéra Longines.
Christophe Ferland’s mare has contested the Arc in the last two editions, finishing second and eleventh respectively. This year she returns to a race restricted to fillies and mares, where her record is impressive: eight wins from twelve starts, including two Group 1 triumphs.
She recently rebounded from a defeat by Daryz in the Prix Ganay by winning the Prix Corrida, then fell short to Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud. Her biggest achievement came when she captured the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville, beating the unbeaten Diamond Necklace. Among the three‑year‑old fillies, Pink Panthera appears to be the most promising outsider. She has narrowly missed victory twice at Group 1 level this season – first in the Prix de Diane and then most recently in the Prix Vermeille.
Historically, three‑year‑old fillies have performed well in the Arc, winning eight of the last ten runnings, which adds extra intrigue to her campaign. Precise, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner, has been heavily campaigned this year and will be making her first attempt at the Arc distance. Ryan Moore will take the reins, hoping the filly’s proven versatility can translate into a strong performance over 2,400 metres.
The sprint division will be highlighted by a clash between Samangan and Thesecretadversary in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt over seven furlongs. Thesecretadversary bested Samangan in the Prix Jean Prat after a win in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, and later finished a close third to Rayif in the Prix Jacques le Marois. Samangan, who placed fourth in that race, later secured his first Group 1 victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, beating the fast‑finishing Division. True Love, a classic winner of the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, has not won since that triumph in May but has remained competitive, recording three placings in Group 1 company.
Nighttime, trained by Christopher Head, hopes to rediscover form, while Marvelman will represent Andrew Balding. Other notable entries include: 12.31 Paris‑Longchamp – G1 Prix Marcel Boussac – Green Express leads an open field. 1.09 Paris‑Longchamp – G1 Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère – National Stakes hero Folsom Blues returns. 1.47 Paris‑Longchamp – G1 Prix de l'Abbaye – Naana’s Shadow contests a wide‑open sprint.
2.25 Paris‑Longchamp – G1 Arabian World Cup – Rb Kingmaker and HM Alchahine feature. 10.10 Keeneland – G3 Summer Stakes – Rebecca Menzies rides Adonius against Queen Mary third Ruiva. 10.45 Keeneland – G1 Spinster Stakes – Fully Subscribed uses this as a prep for the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
With a field that blends proven champions, emerging three‑year‑olds and seasoned specialists, the 2026 Arc promises a dramatic showdown. Whether Daryz can achieve the historic back‑to‑back double, or a dark horse can upset the odds, the race will undoubtedly provide a memorable chapter in European racing lore.