QIPCO CHAMPIONS STAKES - RUNNERS AND RIDERS - CJRFANTASY
Friday, 3rd October 2025 - Paris, the city of love and light, where the Seine winds past centuries of art, architecture and romance, drawing millions of visitors from around the world each year. Come Sunday 5th October, the only love affair will be between the racing faithful and the gallant thoroughbred, as the world’s best racehorses seek to win Europe’s top prize at the breathtaking ParisLongchamp Racecourse. A €5 million purse, two-and-a-half minutes of breathtaking action, 17 high-class contenders from France, Japan, the UK and Ireland – it’s the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and it’s not to be missed.
In order of XP:
Aventure (20 XP) – 2nd in this race last year and has held his form admirably throughout 2025. Runner-up to Calandagan in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in June before taking the Prix Vermeille (Gezora 2nd) on Trials Day. Looks set to go close having been targeted at this race all year, with the French Champion Jockey Maxime Guyon taking the reins.
Minnie Hauk (20 XP) – one of two Aiden O’Brien-trained runners, who has won the Arc twice. Had a spectacular 2025 that includes three Group 1 victories, albeit all against her own sex, despite only making her debut this time last year. Evidently talented, progressive, and trained by a master, but this will be her toughest task to date up against some older, more experienced colts.
Byzantine Dream (40 XP) – the first of the Japanese contingent, who enter three. Made his mark on the European stage when taking the Group 2 Prix Foy over course and distance on Trials Day (Sosie 2nd, Los Angeles 4th, Arrow Eagle 6th). Helps contribute to a strong Japanese hand, and British Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy rides.
Kalpana (40 XP) – talented filly whose finest day came in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last October. Has performed admirably in tough contests since, notably when 2nd to Calandagan in the Group 1 King George VI & QE Stakes in July, before a disappointing run behind Giavellotto in a Group 3 one month ago. However, that was widely deemed a prep ahead of the Arc so she’s likely to strip fitter here, and the forecast rain is a positive.
Sosie (50 XP) – French four-year-old who went off favourite for this contest last year but could only finish 4th. Picked up two French Group 1s in 2025 but was soundly beaten in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown in July before finishing 2nd to Byzantine Dream in the Prix Foy. That was a respectable performance nonetheless and trainer Andre Fabre has won the Arc a record eight times, but usual jockey Maxime Guyon now jumps ship to Aventure.
Croix du Nord (50 XP) – Japanese entry number two. Two Group 1 victories back home before announcing himself in Europe with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange (Daryz 2nd). That was on very soft ground (all previous races had been on good-to-firm), so the forecast should pose no issues. The Japanese are desperate to land the Arc for the first time, and he may well be capable of doing just that, but stall 17 couldn’t have been worse.
Daryz (60 XP) – Aga Khan three-year-old who was 4/4 in his career until being pitched in at the deep end in the Group 1 Juddmonte International in August, where he finished a remote last. The fact connections were happy to send him there demonstrates how well thought of he is and was more like himself when 2nd to Croix du Nord in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange last month. Certainly not to be ruled out.
Cualificar (60 XP) – Godolphin three-year-old with two Group 3 victories to his name this year, as well as an admirable 2nd place finish in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club in June. Disappointing when behind Alohi Alii in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano but bounced back to win a key Arc trial – the Group 2 Prix Niel – last month. Highly regarded by trainer Andre Fabre and could be in amongst it.
Alohi Alii (70 XP) – the third Japanese contender, and on paper the least likely of the lot. However, he performed well to win the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (Cualificar 3rd) back in August and, with only four runs to his name, he remains highly unexposed. Looks likely to progress but the Arc may be too big of an ask at this stage of his career.
Gezora (70 XP) – upwardly mobile four-year-old who took the Group 1 Prix de Diane Longines earlier this year before a 1.5L defeat to Aventure in the Prix Vermeille. A talented, progressive filly who knows the track and is armed with a sex allowance, so should have lots in her favour.
Giavellotto (125 XP) – admirably consistent six-year-old who regularly competes in some of the best Group 1s around the world, including when taking the Hong Kong Vase in December of last year. Warmed up for this with a Group 3 victory on the all-weather at Kempton (Kalpana 2nd) but would need the forecast rain to stay away to put his best foot forward here.
White Birch (125 XP) – talented Irish five-year-old who upset Auguste Rodin to win the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in 2024, before being overturned in that same contest by Los Angeles this year. Disappointing run when 5th behind Delacroix in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes last time out but that may have only been a prep ahead of this contest; connections will be hoping that’s the case as he needs to improve.
Los Angeles (125 XP) – second-string runner for Aiden O’Brien, but certainly not just to make up the numbers. A three-time Group 1 winner, most recently back in May in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, but has been little disappointing since, including when 4th behind Byzantine Dream in the Prix Foy. Needs a return to form, but that’s not impossible.
Quisisana (125 XP) – bay mare who is 3/3 this year, including the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville last time out. Soft ground will suit but her two previous visits to Longchamp only yielded 3rd and 5th place finishes, so aptitude for the course remains a slight question mark.
Leffard (250 XP) – three-year old who took the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in July, but with emphatic Group 1 defeats either side: Prix de Diane in June and Prix Niel in September (Cualificar 1st). Went off favourite for the latter contest so more was clearly expected but could bounce back this weekend.
Arrow Eagle (500 XP) – 4/5 this year, including Group 3 and Group 2 victories. However, was well beaten in the Prix Foy (Byzantine Dream 1st, Sosie 2nd, Los Angeles 4th) and will need to step forward majorly to be involved here.
Hotazhell (500 XP) – Highly-touted after winning the Group 1 Futurity Stakes as a two-year-old, beating the likes of Delacroix. Has been tested at the highest level this year but routinely finishing in midfield, including in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes last time out. Looks unlikely to raise a challenge here.
Trends:
Age – 4 of the last 12 winners were three-year-olds; 8 were four or five-year-olds.
Favourites – only 4 of the last 12 winners were favourites.
Draw – 8 of the last 12 winners came from stall 8 or below.
Last Run – 9 of the last 12 winners won on their most recent run.
3 of the last 12 winners ran in the Prix Vermeille last time out; 2 of the 3 won.
3 of the last 12 winners ran in the Irish Champion Stakes last time out; 1 of the 3 won.
Course Form – 7 of the last 12 winners had at least one previous run at Longchamp.
Group Wins – Group Wins – All of the last 12 winners had at least one career Group 1 victory.
Rating – 10 of the last 12 winners had at least three runs that season.
CJRF Tip:
1st – Aventure
2nd – Gezora
3rd – Alohi Alii
ENDS
