Daryz targets back-to-back Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe wins against 15 rivals at Longchamp

Daryz bids for repeat Arc victory

Defending champion Daryz enters Sunday's €5 million Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp as the 7-4 favourite to retain his crown. The four-year-old colt, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for Aga Khan Studs, seeks to become the ninth horse to win Europe's richest race twice. He also aims to become the first colt to win consecutive renewals since Vincent O'Brien's Alleged in 1977 and 1978. Since 2005, previous three-year-old winners Bago, Hurricane Run, and Workforce all failed in their bids to repeat as older horses. Daryz has won two Group 1 races this season, with his sole defeat occurring at Royal Ascot, and won his prep race in the Prix Foy at Longchamp last month.

When he is right and things go his way with a good pace, he is probably the best I have had

British and Irish contenders mount challenge

British trainer William Haggas saddles leading challenger Maltese Cross, who finished second in the Epsom Derby behind Christmas Day before winning the Grand Prix de Paris over the Longchamp course in July. Like Daryz, Maltese Cross is a son of 2009 Arc winner Sea The Stars, and enters the race after winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York by two lengths over Pierre Bonnard. Owner George Waud funded travel for 100 members of the Old Gold Racing syndicate from England to attend the meeting. Haggas previously finished second in the Arc with Sea of Class in 2018.

Irish trainers field four classic winners, led by Epsom Oaks victor Thundering On for trainer Joseph O'Brien. The Frankel filly won the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh last month following a fourth-place finish in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Joseph's father, Aidan O'Brien, saddles three runners: 2025 Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk, Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, and Diamond Necklace.

Starting stalls and fast ground conditions

A dry autumn in Paris has produced uncharacteristically fast turf at Longchamp, avoiding the testing ground frequently seen on the first Sunday in October. Daryz drew stall five under jockey Mickael Barzalona, while Thundering On will start from stall three under Pierre-Charles Boudot. Aidan O'Brien's contingent experienced contrasting draw outcomes, with Benvenuto Cellini securing stall one under Ryan Moore, Minnie Hauk drawing stall 10 under William Buick, and Diamond Necklace starting from the widest position in stall 16 under Christophe Soumillon.

The 16-runner field also features German Group 1 winner Saddadd at 40-1 in stall nine for trainer Roger Varian and jockey Ray Dawson. Japanese contender Admire Terra breaks from stall 12 at 50-1 under Cristian Demuro following a third-place finish in the spring Tenno Sho. Chantilly-trained Chestnut Rocket, who began his racing career in Poland, starts from stall two at 200-1 for trainer Alicja Karkosa and jockey Marvin Grandin after finishing second by a short nose to Al Aasy in a Deauville Group 2.

Race details and background

The race on the Bois de Boulogne turf offers a winner's cheque of almost €3 million ($3.4 million) from the total €5 million purse. Aga Khan Studs holds the record of eight Arc victories, with Daryz having been raised at its Saint-Crespin breeding facility in Normandy alongside stablemate Varandir. British mare Kalpana and mud-preferring runner Bay City Roller, partnered by jockey Oisin Murphy, complete the international field. The 16 runners will break from the starting stalls at 3:05 pm Irish time on Sunday.