Daryz seeks to retain his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown in the 2026 renewal of Europe’s richest race – live on Sky Sports Racing at 3.05pm.
3.05 ParisLongchamp – Daryz bids for historic Arc double
Daryz will look for an historic back-to-back double in Europe’s biggest race, bidding to be the first colt since Alleged in 1978 to achieve this feat.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s colt looked as good as ever when he returned in the Prix Ganay, which was then followed up with an equally sparkling performance in the Prix Aga Khan IV. A trip to Royal Ascot in June for the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes didn’t go to plan as he was third, although it transpired blood issues were found following the race.
After a break, Graffard’s star made light work of Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller – who he reopposes today – in the Prix Foy, with the trainer saying he was only 75 per cent fit. Having been drawn in stall five, this short priced favourite will take all the beating with connections very confident.
Kalpana was seventh in this contest last year and connections are keen for redemption as she returns to ParisLongchamp looking to emulate Juddmonte filly Bluestocking, who two-years ago took this famous prize. The King George winner looks good as ever this year and has racked up two Group 1s. Drawn in stall six, conditions look well-suited and with Colin Keane having had another year of riding her, she could go very close.
Maltese Cross looks to give William Haggas his first Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as this progressive three-year-old looks to continue progressing in notching up his second Group 1. After finishing second in the Derby, this son of Sea The Stars went on to win the Grand Prix de Paris and backed that up with a win in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. His chances have been dealt a blow though, having being drawn in stall 11.
Aidan O’Brien runs three Classic winners in Europe’s premier race, with Ryan Moore opting to ride Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini over Diamond Necklace, who has been allocated the dreaded stall 16. Last year’s runner-up Minnie Hauk completes the trio and will be partnered by William Buick in a bid to go one better.
3.50 ParisLongchamp – Star mare Aventure headlines field of nine
Aventure looks to add to her impressive record against her own sex when she headlines this field of nine in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera Longines.
Christophe Ferland’s star mare has contested the Arc in the last two years, finishing second and eleventh respectively. This year she returns to racing against fillies and mares, against whom her record reads eight victories from 12 starts – including two Group 1s.
She bounced back from defeat at the hands of Daryz in the Prix Ganay when downing Sunly in the Prix Corrida. Calandagan proved too good for her in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud but her big day came when she subsequently took out the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville in the summer, defeating the unbeaten Diamond Necklace.
Three-year-old Pink Panthera appears to be the best of the rest. She has hit the crossbar twice at Group 1 level this season – firstly in the Prix de Diane and then last time out in the Prix Vermeille. Three-year-olds have a fabulous record in this contest, having won eight out of the last 10 renewals.
Irish 1000 and Coronation Stakes winner Precise has been highly tried this year and takes the set up in trip for the first time, with Ryan Moore taking the ride.
4.25 ParisLongchamp – Samangan and Thesecretadversary clash again in the Foret
Samangan and Thesecretadversary meet again, this time in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs.
Thesecretadversary got the better of the Francis-Henri Graffard trained Samangan in the Prix Jean Prat, which followed victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of St Mark’s Basilica then went up in trip to the Prix Jacques le Marois, which saw him beaten three lengths by Rayif – another Aga Khan colt trained by Francis-Henri Graffard.
Samangan was in fourth that day with (the also re-opposing) True Love in second. He then went down in trip to the Prix Maurice de Gheest and brought up his first Group 1, seeing off the fast-finishing Divison to score.
True Love hasn’t won since she became a classic winner in Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas in May. She has since ran creditably in defeat, placing three times in Group 1 company. Nighttime looks to bounce back to form for Christopher Head, whilst Marvelman flies the flag for Andrew Balding.
Also at ParisLongchamp…
12.31 ParisLongchamp – G1 Prix Marcel Boussac – Green Express heads an open looking contest
1.09 ParisLongchamp – G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere – National Stakes hero Folsom Blues returns
1.47 ParisLongchamp – G1 Prix de l’Abbaye – Naana’s Shadow takes on 14 in wide open contest
2.25 ParisLongchamp – G1 Arabian World Cup – Rb Kingmaker & HM Alchahine feature
Stateside…
10.10 Keeneland – G3 Summer Stakes – Rebecca Menzies sends Adonius to take on Queen Mary third Ruiva
10.45 Keeneland – G1 Spinster Stakes – Fully Subscribed looks to use this as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
