Daryz is set to defend his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe title in the 2026 edition of Europe’s most valuable race, with the event being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3:05 p.m. The colt’s connections are hoping he will become the first 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 three‑year‑old showed his class early in the season, delivering a dominant performance in the Prix Ganay before confirming his form with an equally impressive run in the Prix Aga Khan IV.
A subsequent attempt at Royal Ascot in June, where he contested the Prince of Wales's Stakes, fell short of expectations when he finished third. Post‑race examinations revealed a blood‑related issue, but the horse recovered quickly. After a brief spell, Daryz returned to the track in the Prix Foy, where he faced the previous year’s Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller – a horse he will meet again today. Despite being described by his trainer as only 75 percent fit, Daryz made the contest look effortless, winning comfortably.
Starting from stall five, he is the short‑priced favourite and his connections are confident that he can withstand any challenge that comes his way. Kalpana, who finished seventh in the same race last year, is eager for redemption.
The filly will travel to Longchamp in Paris, hoping to repeat the achievement of Juddmonte’s Bluestocking, who captured the same prize two seasons ago. Kalpana has added two Group 1 victories to her record this year and appears to be in peak condition. Drawn in stall six, she is expected to benefit from the race’s pace scenario, and with Colin Keane aboard for a second consecutive year, she could be a serious contender. Maltese Cross is another intriguing entrant, representing trainer William Haggas and offering him a chance to secure his first Arc win.
The three‑year‑old, a son of Sea The Stars, has progressed steadily throughout the season. After a runner‑up finish in the Derby, he captured the Grand Prix de Paris and then added the Great Voltigeur Stakes to his résumé. However, his prospects have been slightly compromised by a draw in stall eleven, which could force him into a less favourable position early in the race.
Aidan O'Brien will field three Classic winners in the field. Veteran jockey Ryan Moore has chosen to ride Irish Derby victor Benvenuto Cellini rather than Diamond Necklace, who has been allocated the notoriously difficult stall sixteen. The remaining two O'Brien runners are last year’s runner‑up Minnie Hauk, who will be partnered with William Buick, and a third yet‑to‑be‑named contender. The stable hopes to improve on their near‑misses from the previous year.
Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the world of thoroughbred sport. Aventure, a filly with a strong record against her own sex, heads a nine‑horse field in the Group 1 Prix de l'Opéra Longines. Christophe Ferland’s star mare has contested the Arc in each of the past two years, finishing second and eleventh respectively.
This year she returns to a fillies‑and‑mares only contest, where she boasts eight wins from twelve starts, including two Group 1 triumphs. In the Prix Corrida, Aventure rebounded from her defeat to Daryz in the Prix Ganay by defeating Sunly. Although she was outclassed by Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, she later secured a major victory in the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville, beating the unbeaten Diamond Necklace. Three‑year‑old Pink Panthera appears to be the most promising of the remaining runners.
She has narrowly missed victory at Group 1 level on two occasions this season – first in the Prix de Diane and most recently in the Prix Vermeille. Historically, three‑year‑olds have performed well in the Arc, winning eight of the last ten runnings, which bodes well for her chances. Precise, the Irish 1000 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 to translate her proven mile‑to‑middle‑distance ability into success over the 2,400‑metre test. The Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt over seven furlongs will see Samangan and Thesecretadversary meet again.
In the Prix Jean Prat, Thesecretadversary edged out Samangan, who had previously won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of St Mark’s Basilica later stepped up in distance to contest the Prix Jacques le Marois, where he was beaten by Rayif, another Aga Khan‑trained colt from Graffard’s yard. Samangan finished fourth in that race, with True Love taking second.
He later dropped back in distance to the Prix Maurice de Gheest, where he claimed his first Group 1 victory by out‑finishing the fast‑closing Division. True Love, a classic winner of the Newmarket 1000 Guineas, has not won since that triumph in May but has remained competitive, placing in three Group 1 races. Christopher Head hopes to see her return to form, while Marvelman will represent trainer Andrew Balding.
Other notable fixtures include the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, where Green Express will lead 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 facing a large, open field, and the G1 Arabian World Cup showcasing Rb Kingmaker and HM Alchahine. In the United States, the G3 Summer Stakes at Keeneland will see Rebecca Menzies guide Adonius against Queen Mary third Ruiva, while the G1 Spinster Stakes will feature Fully Subscribed as a prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Overall, the 2026 Arc promises a thrilling mix of proven champions, rising stars, and seasoned campaigners, each looking to etch their name into the annals of one of racing’s most prestigious events.