Arc 2026: Daryz heads 19 as Longchamp prepares for farewell and change
Daryz headed a list of 19 possible runners for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday after the latest declaration stage on Monday.
The favourite holds top spot for France's most famous flat race. Trainers must confirm their runners at set declaration stages before the race, and 19 remained in contention at the latest cut, according to The Guardian.
The Arc was officially the World's Best Horse Race in five of the seven years after that award was introduced in 2015. Since 2021 it has fallen short of rivals including the Japan Cup and the Breeders' Cup Classic.
That history helps explain the noise around this year's renewal. France-Galop, the sport's governing body in France, announced in June that geldings — male horses that have been castrated and so cannot breed — will be allowed to run in the Arc from 2027.
The rule change puts one name at the centre of the debate. Calandagan is French-trained and among the world's top-rated horses over middle distances, but as a gelding he is barred from Sunday's race. He would be eligible next year.
Japan waits on. The country is 0-for-36 in the Arc stretching back to 1969. Meisho Tabaru and Admire Terra are its attempted runners this time.
France says goodbye to a familiar face. Jean-Claude Rouget won the Arc in 2020 with Sottsass and in 2023 with Ace Impact. He will close out his 48-year training career when he saddles Arrow Eagle on Sunday.
The British and Irish challenge is broad. Friendly Soul, trained by John and Thady Gosden, earned a free supplementary entry — a late paid-for place in the field — with her win in the Prix Vermeille earlier in September. Kalapana, trained by Andrew Balding, won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Thundering On, an Oaks winner trained by Joseph O'Brien, is also in the mix.
Aidan O'Brien has three remaining possible runners. They are Diamond Necklace, Minnie Hauk and Benvenuto Cellini.
There are old threads in the field too. Maltese Cross is trained by William Haggas, who is the son-in-law of Lester Piggott. Piggott rode Alleged to a second Arc win in 1978. Ian Balding, Andrew's father, trained Mill Reef to Arc success in 1971.
Criquette Head is part-owner of contender Pearled Majesty. Head trained Goldikova and other champions in a long career before retirement from training.
Recent history still looms large. Enable won the 2018 Arc ahead of Sea of Class, according to The Guardian's live report. Ace Impact arrived at the 2023 race as the unbeaten winner of the Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby.
What makes this stand out is the sense of a race between eras. One great trainer bows out. A long-standing entry rule is about to fall. And Japan keeps coming back for the prize it wants most.
