Intro: the race that crowns Europe's champion
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the race that crowns Europe's middle-distance champion, bringing together the Classic generation horses and leading older runners from France, Britain, Ireland and beyond in an autumn showpiece for the richest race in Europe.
The race at a glance (course, distance, age, prize money)
The Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is Europe’s premier middle-distance championship and contested over a mile and a half at ParisLongchamp in France on the first Sunday of October each year. It is open to three-year-olds, as well as older horses and fillies and mares, with the 2026 edition being worth €5 million in prize money, making it the richest Flat race in Europe. The prestigious event attracts the very best horses, trainers and jockeys from Europe and beyond. First run in 1920, the Arc is also one of the most prestigious prizes in international racing.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tips
There is a whole host of tips available for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Arc Weekend at ParisLongchamp on attheraces.com from our top team of tipsters and Sky Sports Racing presenters.
Kevin Blake has produced a horse-by-horse guide to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, analysing every runner and nominating his best bet and 1-2-3. Jamie Lynch has compiled a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe preview and shortlisted his Arc selections.
There's also ParisLongchamp and Arc tips on the day from French racing expert and Sky Sports Racing pundit Laurent Barbarin, as well as selections from Declan Rix and Kate Tracey. Total Performance Data's Adam Mills has previewed the Arc as well as the Qatar Prix Dollar and the Qatar Prix du Cadran. Meanwhile, Katherine Ford has nominated five horses from the home team to follow at ParisLongchamp.
Why the Arc is Europe's championship
The Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is Europe’s championship contest, where the top middle-distance horses, fillies and mares from across the premier racing jurisdictions come together for an autumn decider in Paris.
Leading runners from Classic races such as the Derby and Oaks at Epsom, as well as their equivalents at the Curragh in Ireland and Chantilly in France, battle it out with the best of the older generation for the prestigious prize.
British and Irish raiders: the record
Britain has won 17 renewals of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, including the first running in 1920 by Comrade. Mill Reef, Dancing Brave, Lammtarra and Golden Horn are among the standout stars, with John Gosden’s brilliant filly Enable scoring in both 2017 and 2018. The most recent British-trained winner is Ralph Beckett's Bluestocking, also a filly, in 2024.
Britain's best chance this year could be Derby runner-up and Grand Prix de Paris winner Maltese Cross, bidding to give Newmarket trainer William Haggas a first victory after Sea of Class's short-head second in 2018.
Ireland has won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on eight separate occasions, with the first being the Vincent O'Brien-trained Ballymoss in 1969. The Ballydoyle legend also saddled Alleged to score in both 1977 and 1978. Ballydoyle has saddled a further two winners, with Vincent's namesake Aidan being responsible for Dylan Thomas in 2007 and Found in 2016.
Ireland's leading hope in 2026 could be Oaks heroine Thundering On, trained by Aidan's son Joseph at Owning Hill.
A short history and famous winners
Few races in world racing have the history and prestige of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. First run at Longchamp in 1920, the contest is the ultimate test for the best middle-distance horses, attracting champions from across the continent and beyond.
Its roll of honour reads like a who’s who of middle-distance racing greats, including Ribot, Sea-Bird, Mill Reef, Alleged, Dancing Brave, Sea The Stars, Treve, and Enable.
Sea-Bird’s brilliant 1965 victory remains one of the most famous performances in Arc history, while Dancing Brave produced one of the race’s most spectacular finishes in 1986. Sea The Stars completed an unbeaten three-year-old campaign with a superb victory in 2009. In more recent times, Treve and then Enable both became dual champions, winning the Arc in consecutive years during the 2010s.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners since 2005
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Daryz | 3 | Mickael Barzalona | Francis-Henri Graffard | France |
| 2024 | Bluestocking | 4 | Rossa Ryan | Ralph Beckett | Great Britain |
| 2023 | Ace Impact | 3 | Cristian Demuro | Jean-Claude Rouget | France |
| 2022 | Alpinista | 6 | Luke Morris | Sir Mark Prescott | Great Britain |
| 2021 | Torquator Tasso | 4 | Rene Piechulek | Marcel Weiss | Germany |
| 2020 | Sottsass | 4 | Christian Demuro | Jean-Claude Rouget | France |
| 2019 | Waldgeist | 5 | Pierre-Charles Boudot | André Fabre | France |
| 2018 | Enable | 4 | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Great Britain |
| 2017 | Enable | 3 | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Great Britain |
| 2016 | Found | 4 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | Ireland |
| 2015 | Golden Horn | 3 | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Great Britain |
| 2014 | Treve | 4 | Thierry Jarnet | Criquette Head | France |
| 2013 | Treve | 3 | Thierry Jarnet | Criquette Head | France |
| 2012 | Solemia | 4 | Olivier Peslier | Carlos Laffon-Parias | France |
| 2011 | Danedream | 3 | Andrasch Starke | Peter Schiergen | Germany |
| 2010 | Workforce | 3 | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael Stoute | Great Britain |
| 2009 | Sea the Stars | 3 | Mickael Kinane | John Oxx | Ireland |
| 2008 | Zarkava | 3 | Christophe Soumillon | Alain de Royer-Dupré | France |
| 2007 | Dylan Thomas | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Aidan O'Brien | Ireland |
| 2006 | Rail Link | 3 | Stephane Pasquier | André Fabre | France |
| 2005 | Hurricane Run | 3 | Kieren Fallon | André Fabre | Ireland |
How to watch and follow
At The Races has a dedicated Arc Weekend section featuring everything you need to follow the action at ParisLongchamp. Our team of racing experts will provide Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tips, betting selections and top tips for the weekend, alongside exclusive interviews and features on the leading contenders.
You can also find ParisLongchamp racecards and odds, the latest Arc Weekend news, race reports and results, free race replays, giving you everything you need to keep up with the action throughout the big weekend.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Free bets
On attheraces.com, you'll find the latest UK free bets and exclusive bookmaker offers, carefully selected by the experts at At The Races. Click here for today’s best free bet deals from UK-licensed bookmakers, including new customer free bets and ongoing promotions across horse racing and sports betting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, officially the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is Europe's most prestigious Flat horse race. First run in 1920, the Group 1 contest brings together leading thoroughbreds from around the world over a mile and a half. It is traditionally held on the first Sunday in October at ParisLongchamp in Paris, France.
When is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
The 2026 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will take place on Sunday 4 October 2026 at ParisLongchamp. The race forms the centrepiece of the Arc Weekend, which runs across Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October.
What time is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
The exact 2026 post time should be checked against the final race-day programme, as the schedule can be subject to change. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is traditionally staged in the afternoon, with the race itself lasting only a few minutes.
How long is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is run over 2,400 metres, or approximately 1½ miles. It is considered one of the world's premier middle-distance races and tests a horse's speed, stamina and ability to handle a top-class international field.
Who won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
Daryz won the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, providing France with the victory at ParisLongchamp. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Daryz defeated Minnie Hauk and Sosie. He returns as the defending champion for the 2026 renewal on 4 October.
How to watch the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Every race from ParisLongchamp on Arc Weekend across Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing. Viewers can watch ParisLongchamp on Sky channel 415 and Virgin channel 512.
Where is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe run?
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is staged at ParisLongchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. The race has been held at Longchamp for most of its history, although it was temporarily staged at Chantilly in 2016 and 2017 while Longchamp underwent redevelopment.
How to bet on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
You can bet on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe through attheraces.com's ParisLongchamp racecards, where you can find the latest runners, odds, free bets and exclusive bookmaker offers.
