Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard. Jockey: Mickael Barzalona. Draw: 5. Pedigree: Sea The Stars x Daryakana (by Selkirk). Age: 4. Odds: 7-4.
Since World War II, only three colts have managed to win the Arc on two occasions, with Alleged being the last to achieve this feat in 1977 and 1978. Daryz is looking to join this elite group as he prepares for the race this weekend. It is important to note that many Arc champions are often retired to stud immediately after their victories, which skews statistics. Notably, Bago, Hurricane Run, and Workforce have made attempts to replicate their three-year-old triumphs since 2005 but were unsuccessful. If Daryz can prevail where they did not, he will be celebrated among the legends of Longchamp. This year, he benefits from a favorable draw in stall five, but he faces the challenge of carrying extra weight against younger competitors, with two strong three-year-olds positioned just inside him.
Trainer: Roger Varian. Jockey: Ray Dawson. Draw: 9. Pedigree: Pinatubo x Talmada (Cape Cross). Age: 4. Odds: 40-1.
He achieved his first Group One victory in Germany recently, in the same race previously won by Torquator Tasso, who shocked everyone at the Arc in 2021. This was also his debut at a mile-and-a-half, suggesting there is room for further improvement. However, his limitations were evident during a stronger Group One race, the Eclipse at Sandown in July, and the upcoming challenge appears to be even more formidable.
Trainer: Alicja Karkosa. Jockey: Marvin Grandin. Draw: 2. Pedigree: Intells x Rocaille (Anabaa). Age: 4. Odds: 200-1.
He began his racing career in Poland before transitioning to the more competitive environment of Chantilly. Since joining his current stable a year ago, he has shown steady improvement. His latest performance, a narrow second-place finish to Al Aasy in a Group Two at Deauville, marked a personal best. However, realistically, he is still significantly behind what will likely be necessary to compete effectively on Sunday.
Trainer: Yasuo Tomomichi. Jockey: Cristian Demuro. Draw: 12. Pedigree: Rey De Oro x Admire Miyabi (Heart’s Cry). Age: 5. Odds: 50-1.
He finished just half a length behind the winner in third place during the prestigious Tenno Sho in Japan last May and also performed well in the Japanese St Leger during his three-year-old season. However, he is still in search of his first Group One victory and has much to improve upon, especially from a challenging double-figure draw. He is currently viewed as the less likely contender among the two Japanese entries, with his fellow countryman, Meisho Tabaru, not making the shortlist either.
Trainer: Mamoru Ishibashi. Jockey: Yutaka Take. Draw: 13. Pedigree: Gold Ship x Meisho Tsubakuro (French Deputy). Age: 5. Odds: 40-1.
This marks the 12th Arc ride for Japan’s legendary jockey Yutaka Take, who has yet to secure a victory for his country in this prestigious race. His current mount will start at significantly longer odds than past favorites, such as Deep Impact, whose fans nearly overwhelmed the betting system in 2006. This five-year-old arrives at the Bois de Boulogne having become only the third horse in the 67-year history of the Takarazuka Kinen to win the event in consecutive years. However, both previous winners—Gold Ship and Chrono Genesis—finished unplaced in the Arc, and while the ground conditions may be favorable, a challenging draw could impede his chances.
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget. Jockey: Ioritz Mendizabal. Draw: 14. Pedigree: Gleneagles x Absolutely Me (Anabaa Blue). Age: 5. Odds: 100-1.
This will be the final entry for the distinguished trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who recently celebrated his second Arc victory with Ace Impact, the favorite, completing an impeccable six-race career in 2023. Subsequent seasons have proven challenging, and Rouget was only able to extend his tenure until Sunday due to a court decision delaying the closure of his training operation. If Arrow Eagle can secure a victory, it would be a remarkable conclusion to Rouget’s career, although his chances seem slim, as reflected in his odds, following a sixth-place finish last year.
Trainer: George Scott. Jockey: Oisin Murphy. Draw: 15. Pedigree: New Bay x Bloomfield (Teofilo). Age: 4. Odds: 33-1.
He was previously seen as a solid performer in Group Two events until last year, when he clinched a Group One victory in Germany with an impressive seven-length margin. He further established his credentials with a notable win in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Derby Day, benefiting from rain-softened ground. This time around, he presents an intriguing each-way option, particularly given the typical ground conditions at Longchamp in early October. Unfortunately for him, the forecast indicates a return to good-to-firm ground, similar to that on Arc Trials Day in September, when he suffered a decisive defeat by Daryz in the Prix Foy, and the stall 15 draw adds to his challenges.
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Jockey: William Buick. Draw: 10. Pedigree: Frankel x Multilingual (Dansili). Age: 4. Odds: 20-1.
Last year, she was sent off as the favorite after achieving three Group One victories earlier in the season, leading the race until just before the finish line, where Daryz overtook her. This prompted a strategic decision to keep her in training with a focus on a return to Longchamp. However, her four-year-old campaign has proven more challenging, with no further Group One victories among four attempts. A return to her previous impressive form would position her as a contender, but she faces the added disadvantage of a less favorable draw compared to last year.
