Thoroughbred Thoughts

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2025 – Ultimate Preview

History of the race

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the most luxurious race in France of the flat season and is open to any anyone (except geldings), the winner will take the prize of £2,361,157! Those that can manage a place in the race will also take some very generous prize money. Because of the amount of prize money and how much value this race adds to ones racing CV, this race attracts numerous challenges from around the world. This is the same this year with horses being flown over from Ireland, England and Japan to take on the best of the French.

Recent Winners and Trends

Horse Name	Male / Female	Stall Number	Runs before winning the Arc
BLUESTOCKING	Female	3	5 runs with form of 1-1-2-4-1. Won two group 1s including Prix Vermeille.
ACE IMPACT	Male	8	Only the one run before winning Arc but had an unbeaten career, winning all 6 of his races.
ALPINISTA	Female	6	Won her two prep races before the Arc. High class filly, was unbeaten in nearly 2 years and finished her career winning the Arc.
TORQUATOR TASSO	Male	12	Had 4 runs before winning the Arc at 72/1 odds! Consistent performer on soft ground.
SOTTSASS	Male	4	Only the two runs before the Arc for that season. Was lightly raced all throughout his career.
WALDGEIST	Male	3	Only one run that season before winning the Arc but was the high class Prix Foy. Denied Enable getting the Arc back to back.
ENABLE	Female	6	Had a 1 year break and then ran one race in England before winning the Arc. Kept racing till she was 6, finishing with an official rating of 125.
GOLDEN HORN	Male	14	6 races the season of his Arc win with form of 1-1-1-1-2-1. Picking up the Epsom Derby and Irish Champion Stakes on his route to Arc glory.
TREVE	Male	3	Same prep as year before with 1 run in the Prix Vermeille before winning the Arc. The Arc win made him the first horse to win back to back since Alleged who did it in the 1970s!
TREVE	Male	15	Had just 1 run which was a comfortable win in the Prix Vermeille before going on to win the Arc.

Who wins the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2025?

As of now there are 18 runners that will be lining up at Longchamp come 5th October. A large field can cause for some upset stories and some unlucky losers that may have had traffic problems. Based on the last 10 winners, this is a race that seems the better horses make it towards the front. The trends between sex and stall number aren’t showing any clear signs of what to look for. Slightly lower stall numbers have been more favourable in recent times with stall 12 being the stand out.

Something that is interesting with the last 10 winners, is their prep runs. Only 3 of the last 10 winners had 4 or more runs that season before the Arc. Therefore, a lower amount of runs and making sure the horse is well prepped is clearly vital to winning this race. Most of the winners liked soft ground and most of the last 10 Arc’s have been on softer ground, therefore, this is of major importance to be considered a selection for this race.

Individual breakdown for the Arc (Stalls order)

• Minnie Hauk – Unbeaten since debut and had taken an Oaks path to the Arc much like ENABLE did. Is a 3 year old filly so only carries 8st9lb which is a huge bonus. If she comes out of stall 1 fast she’ll be in a very advantageous position. Only slight worry would be she has raced against older filly’s but has never raced against the boys so this is a new test for her.
• Daryz – 3yr old colt by Sea The Stars (who also won this race). Looked very progressive before dropping to last place in the Juddmonte International. A line can be drawn through that as the good to firm ground clearly didn’t suit. He’ll have his ground here as it should be much softer. Chased home Croix Du Nord on last start and was an eye catcher. One for the shortlist.
• Sosie – Came 4th in this race last year when fav and is of course a year older now and grown stronger physically. However, has to carry 9st5lb now, compared to last years 8st9lb. Has taken a different preparation route this year but has looked strong. Was last in the eclipse but clearly the ground didn’t suit. One can assume that this has been the main target all season and he perhaps hasn’t been in prime condition but will definitely be ready come Sunday and should show a nice improvement.
• Alohi Alii – One of the 3 Japanese contenders. Is a 3yr old colt and was given no chance in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano but ended up winning a tad cosily. Was an impressive run last out but looks like a big step up in terms of class to face these better older horses.
• Giavellotto – Surprisingly beat Kalpana last time out and the trip should suit. However, the vibe from the team is that if the rain comes down in the amount that is expected he may be pulled from the race as it won’t suit him at all. Is a 6yr old now and probably has something to find on these even if the ground was in his favour.
• Leffard – Another 3yr old colt and will be suited by the ground and trip and in a good stall in stall 6 here. However, can race keenly and that will not suit this race, will need to settle but on his best form he might be able to snatch a place.
• Quisisana – 5yr old Mare is bred very nicely and has had a fine career, including winning the Prix Jean Romanet last time out. Was her best run to date and looked like she will be suited to an extra 2 furlongs, which is what she gets here. Stall 7 is very good for this race as should find herself in a very good position out of the gates. Will need to be ran close to the front to have a chance.
• Cualificar – This 3yr old colt is held in high regard and is trained by Andre Fabre who has won this race more than anyone else with 8 wins. William Buick takes the ride on Godolphin owned Cualificar. Was unimpressive in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano but bounced back nicely in the Prix Neil over the 1m4f and showed a turn of foot no one knew he quite possessed. Stall 8 will have him well positioned and could be a real player.
• White Birch – Has not recorded a win this season and not taken a conventional route to this race. Will most likely find this race too challenging for him.
• Kalpana – Turned over at very short odds last time out (1/2), has not win a race this year but has come close on numerous starts. She will like this distance, track is an unknown but we can assume she will. She was also favourite for this race for a while but may have to find slightly more as Juddmonte try to go back to back in this race.
• Hotazhell – Hard to side with this colt as looks like he’ll be out of his depth here. Is 100/1 shot and doubt he’ll throw up a shock win or place here.
• Aventure – Came 2nd in this race last year. Has been very consistent and hasn’t been out of the top 2 this year. Won the Prix Vermeille last time out in good fashion, that race is a key stepping stone to the Arc and so this 4yr old filly should have every chance here. Trainer also adds that she will be better now out of the summer months. Can be happy with tall 12 but is as high of stall number as you would be happy with really.
• Gezora – Was close behind Aventure last time out in the Prix Vermeille but did seem as though Aventure was not for catching. May get a place but hard to see her winning this.
• Los Angeles – Top performer and was 3rd here last year in this race. Is a harder and much deeper field this year and Los Angeles hasn’t has the best year to date and so may come up a bit short this year. Others preferred.
• Byzantine Dream -Won the Prix Foy nicely last time but thoughts were that Sosie was carrying more condition and may actually be better on the day of the Arc. Drawn stall 15 is not ideal but is another chance for the Japanese to get their win in this race.
• Arrow Eagle – Unbeaten this year until coming 6th in the Prix Foy. Doesn’t look like he will be good enough here and stall 16 only adds to the case.
• Croix Du Nord – Top class 3yr old colt and probably Japan’s main hope of a success here. Won the Prix du Prince d’Orange last out and won the Japanese Derby before that. Real group 1 horse but stall 17 is less than ideal and there would be concerns over the soft ground that is reported to be coming.
• Estrange – 4 yr old filly with lots of quality and may not mind the ground too much. However, widest stall and already being outclassed by Minnie Hauk before and never having raced against the boys, it’s hard to see her winning this prestigious race.

Final Verdict

Winner – AVENTURE

Runner Up – MINNIE HAUK

Ran on and unlucky – DARYZ