Racing week ahead: Arc de Triomphe weekend

By RB Editor · Updated: October 5, 2026

Daryz defends his crown at ParisLongchamp, and Britain sends its strongest challenge in years.

Horses racing down a straight at sunset in front of a packed modern grandstand, with banner text "RacingBetter Week-Ahead — Arc de Triomphe Weekend"

Europe’s richest Flat race takes centre stage this week. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe goes off at 15:05 on Sunday 4 October at ParisLongchamp. It is a Group 1 over 2400 metres, carrying a five million euro prize fund, with the field capped at 24 runners.

Festival of Nations

Arc weekend runs across Saturday and Sunday under the Festival of Nations banner. It spotlights five leading racing countries: France, England, Ireland, Japan and Germany. Sunday opens with the Parade of Nations before the racing gets under way.

The defending champion

Daryz, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, returns as favourite at 7/2 to defend last year’s title. He has had a strong season, adding the Prix Ganay and the renamed Prix Aga Khan IV to his record.

Britain’s challenge

Maltese Cross and Kalpana have both been confirmed for Paris, giving Britain its clearest one-two punch at the Arc in some time. Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace sits second in the market at 9/1.

Stablemate Constitution River remains priced among the field, but Aidan O’Brien named only Minnie Hauk, Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace as “still in the mix” for Ballydoyle over the weekend. His involvement now looks less certain than first thought.

An Irish team still taking shape

Ireland’s challenge remains unsettled. It has been a decade since Found last won for Aidan O’Brien, at Chantilly in 2016. The last Irish-trained winner at ParisLongchamp itself was Sea The Stars, back in 2009.

Nineteen left standing

The field narrowed on Monday, when the first forfeit stage cut the entries from an original 73 down to 19. A second forfeit stage follows on Tuesday, with final declarations not due until Thursday morning.

What’s coming this week

RacingBetter’s coverage of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2026 runs through the week: