Daryz is set to defend his title in the 2026 edition of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s most prestigious race, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3:05 pm. The three‑year‑old colt is chasing a rare achievement: becoming the first horse since Alleged in 1978 to win the Arc in consecutive years. Francis‑Henri Graffard’s charge has already shown he belongs at the very top of the sport.
After a brilliant run in the Prix Ganay, Daryz followed it up with an equally impressive performance in the Prix Aga Khan IV. A subsequent attempt at Royal Ascot in June, where he contested the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, ended with a third‑place finish, but post‑race examinations revealed blood‑related issues that explained the sub‑optimal result. Following a brief spell, Daryz returned in the Prix Foy and made light work of the reigning Coronation Cup champion Bay City Roller, a horse he will meet again today.
Graffard noted that the colt was only about 75 % fit at the time, yet he still won comfortably, underscoring his class and resilience. Drawn in stall five, Daryz is the short‑priced favourite, and his connections are brimming with confidence that he will absorb any pressure and emerge victorious.
Also featured is Kalpana, who finished seventh in the same race last year. Her team is eager for redemption as she heads back to Longchamp, hoping to emulate Juddmonte’s Bluestocking, the filly who claimed the Arc two years ago. The King George winner has already collected two Group 1 victories this season and appears to be in prime form. She draws stall six, a position that suits her running style, and with Colin Keane now in her saddle for a second year, she could be a serious contender.
Maltese Cross offers William Haggas the chance to secure his first Arc win. The three‑year‑old, a son of Sea The Stars, is still on an upward trajectory, having taken second in the Derby, then captured the Grand Prix de Paris and the Great Voltigeur Stakes. However, his prospects have been slightly hampered by an unfavorable draw in stall eleven, which may force him to navigate a crowded field.
Aidan O'Brien will have three classic winners representing his stable. Ryan Moore has elected to ride Irish Derby victor Benvenuto Cellini, while Diamond Necklace, drawn in the notoriously difficult stall sixteen, will be partnered by another jockey. The previous year’s runner‑up, Minnie Hauk, completes the trio and will be ridden by William Buick, who hopes to improve on his second‑place finish from 2025. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features, Sky Sports Racing’s mobile platform provides instant access to all the action.
Aventure, a proven Group 1 performer against her own sex, leads a nine‑horse field in the Prix de l'Opéra Longines. Christophe Ferland’s mare has contested the Arc twice, finishing second and eleventh, and this year she returns to a race restricted to fillies and mares.
Her record in such company is outstanding – eight wins from twelve starts, including two Group 1 triumphs – making her a strong candidate for the top spot. She rebounded from a loss to Daryz in the Prix Ganay by taking the Prix Corrida, where she beat Sunly. Although Calandagan proved superior in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, Aventure’s highlight came later in the summer when she captured the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville, defeating the unbeaten Diamond Necklace.
Among the three‑year‑old fillies, Pink Panthera appears to be the most promising outsider. She has narrowly missed victory at Group 1 level twice this season – first in the Prix de Diane and most recently in the Prix Vermeille – finishing just a head or a neck behind the winners on both occasions.
Historically, three‑year‑olds have excelled in the Arc, winning eight of the last ten runnings, so Pink Panthera could be the dark horse that surprises the field. Precise, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner, has been heavily campaigned this year and will be making her first appearance over the Arc distance. Ryan Moore will take the reins, hoping that her proven turn of foot can translate to the longer trip.
In the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt over seven furlongs, Samangan and Thesecretadversary will meet again. Thesecretadversary edged out Samangan in the Prix Jean Prat after a win in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of St Mark’s Basilica then stretched out to the mile‑and‑a‑quarter distance in the Prix Jacques le Marois, where he was beaten three lengths by Rayif, another Aga Khan‑trained colt.
Samangan, who finished fourth in that race behind the eventual runner‑up True Love, later claimed his first Group 1 victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest after a strong finish. True Love, a classic winner of the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas, has not added another victory since that triumph in May. Nevertheless, she has remained competitive, placing in three Group 1 contests.
Christopher Head hopes Nighttime will rediscover her best form, while Marvelman will represent Andrew Balding’s colours. The meeting also includes several other high‑profile contests: the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, where Green Express leads an open field; the G1 Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère, featuring National Stakes champion Folsom Blues; the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye, with Naana’s Shadow taking on fourteen rivals; and the G1 Arabian World Cup, starring Rb Kingmaker and HM Alchahine. Across the Atlantic, Keeneland will host the G3 Summer Stakes, where Rebecca Menzies will guide Adonius against Queen Mary’s third‑placed Ruiva, followed by the G1 Spinster Stakes, where Fully Subscribed will use the race as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Overall, the 2026 Arc promises a thrilling mix of seasoned champions, rising stars, and seasoned trainers all vying for a place in history.
Whether Daryz can repeat his 2025 triumph, or a new challenger will break through, the race is set to deliver drama, talent, and the timeless allure that makes the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the crown jewel of European flat racing.