Our senior form analyst turns his attention to Europe’s most illustrious flat race – the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Sunday. In this extensive preview we break down the field, examine the form of each contender, and reveal the analyst’s top pick for the 2026 edition.
The Arc is more than just a race; it is a showdown of nations, generations and training philosophies. It decides which horse can truly be called the best in the world, and a returning champion always adds an extra layer of intrigue and motivation. With that in mind, let’s dive deep into the twelve or so runners who will line up at Longchamp for what is universally recognised as the pinnacle of flat racing. **Daryz – the star‑filled favourite** If you want to look like a star, you must act like one, and Daryz has embraced the mantle of Arc winner this season with aplomb.
After a controversial blood‑test result at Royal Ascot, the horse rebounded spectacularly in the Prix Foy, posting a blistering 42 mph and a 10.68‑second furlong. Those figures place Daryz among the fastest stayers of the modern era and illustrate why his connections view a second Arc triumph as realistic.
Historically only eight horses have attempted a repeat, and only one – the legendary mare Allez France – added a nine‑furlong Prix d’Ispahan to the double, though her performance was less spectacular than Daryz’s. The sheer speed Daryz displayed over the final stages of the Prix Foy signals a powerful engine that will test every rival on the Longchamp turf. **Saddadd – the rising German prospect** Roger Varian’s entry, Saddadd, is not yet decorated like his stable‑mate Defoe, but he has been climbing steadily through marginal gains.
From a London Gold Cup win to a Group One triumph in the Grosser Preis von Baden – a race that has produced past Arc winners such as Marienbard, Danedream and Torquator Tasso – Saddadd is proving his class at the highest level. He was also the fastest horse in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Coral‑Eclipse, both over 1¼ miles, suggesting he can handle the Arc’s demanding 1½‑mile distance. Though this will be his first attempt at the classic trip, his progressive improvement makes him a credible long‑shot.
**Arrow Eagle – the French‑trained challenger** The Polish Derby victor of 2025 has continued to improve in France, recently finishing second to Al Aasy in the Group Two Grand Prix de Deauville. While his recent form shows he can compete at Group level, the step up to the Arc remains a significant jump. Arrow Eagle’s most notable achievement to date is a win over Calandagan and Masquerade Ball in the Japan Cup, albeit after a stumble that left him rider‑less. Starting at 45‑1, his performance underscored his status as a dark horse with limited Group One experience.
**Meisho Tabaru – the Japanese hope** Japan’s representation comes in the form of 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 outsider in last year’s Arc who narrowly lost to Daryz in a trial. Tabaru also defeated Danon Decile, a former Sheema Classic winner.
He prefers to lead from the front, a tactic that earned him a fifth‑place finish in the 2025 Dubai Turf behind compatriot Soul Rush. Historically, thirty‑eight Japanese horses have tried the Arc without success, and Tabaru does not appear to possess a unique edge that would break that pattern. **Jean‑Claude Rouget’s contingent – Arrow Eagle’s final run** For veteran trainer Jean‑Claude Rouget, Arrow Eagle will be his last Arc runner.
Rouget’s résumé includes two Arc victories and fourteen French Classics, but Arrow Eagle’s best recent effort was a sixth‑place finish at 150‑1 in the 2025 edition, behind Daryz. He thrives on good ground but struggles in softer conditions, which could be a factor if the Longchamp turf turns heavy on race day. **Minnie Hauk – the seasoned mare** Minnie Hauk once won the Arc by a margin of five and a half lengths, the second‑largest in the race’s history. This season, however, she has struggled to find her best form, delivering performances that lack the spark of her previous triumphs.
Nevertheless, history shows that mares such as Treve and Found have returned to win a second Arc after a quiet season, so Minnie Hauk cannot be dismissed outright. **Kalpana – the evolved five‑year‑old** Kalpana’s draw was a disadvantage in last year’s Arc, but she turned that into a triumph in the King George. Now a five‑year‑old, she has added stamina and power, boasting a rating of 125 – higher than recent winners Found, Alpinista and Bluestocking.
Her campaign includes a win in the Prix Vermeille, where she posted the fastest time of the three trial races that day. If she can replicate that turn of foot at Longchamp, she will be a serious contender. **Maltese Cross – the modern blend** Perhaps the most intriguing name on the card is Maltese Cross, a three‑year‑old who has been refined over 393 days and seven key races.
His recent performances show a rare combination of stamina – demonstrated by a dominant win in the Great Voltigeur – and raw speed, clocking 43.1 mph in the Grand Prix de Paris, faster than Daryz’s best. His rating now sits above both Daryz and Ace Impact, positioning him as the leading three‑year‑old colt in Europe and a potential dark horse for the Arc. **Thundering On – the high‑rated filly** Thundering On carries a rating of 117, just a pound shy of Minnie Hauk’s at the same stage of development. She impressed in the Irish Oaks and delivered a blistering two‑furlong finish in the Blandford Stakes, faster than any recent Group One sprinter on that day.
Her pedigree, featuring a half‑sister to Irish Oaks winner Chicquita, suggests she will stay the 1½‑mile distance and could be a genuine threat. **Diamond Necklace – the unbeaten dual‑Classic winner** Diamond Necklace has not yet contested the Arc, but her record – unbeaten in two French Classics and a decisive victory over a Prix Vermeille winner – makes her a strong candidate. A defeat to Aventure in the Prix Jean Romanet raised questions about her resilience, yet market momentum indicates she may still improve and stay the distance. **Overall outlook** The field is a mix of proven stayers, rising prospects and seasoned veterans.
Daryz remains the market favourite, but the emergence of Maltese Cross, the seasoned class of Kalpana and the high‑rated filly Thundering On provide genuine alternatives. As always, the Arc rewards a blend of stamina, speed and tactical versatility, and the horse that can combine those attributes on the Longchamp turf will etch its name into racing history. Catch every moment of the Arc weekend live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) on Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October.