Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2026 Picks, Odds & Betting Preview (Oct 4)
- When: Sunday, October 4, 2026 @ 10:05 AM ET
- Where: Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV, FS1
All eyes will be on the French racecourse of Longchamp this weekend, as the world’s most prestigious flat race takes center stage. The G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has been won by a plethora of greats throughout history, and last year’s champion, Daryz, will have his sights set on making more history in 2026.
The race also serves as a potential prep before the Breeders’ Cup. Find the latest odds available at the best horse racing betting sites and our Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2026 picks here.    Â
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2026 Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Daryz | +175 |
| Maltese Cross | +450 |
| Kalpana | +700 |
| Diamond Necklace | +800 |
| Thundering On | +800 |
| Varandir | +1000 |
| Benvenuto Cellini | +2000 |
| Minnie Hauk | +2000 |
| Bay City Roller | +2500 |
| Friendly Soul | +2500 |
| Other Selections | +3300 & Bigger |
Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 Mile 4 Furlongs (2,400 Meters) |
| Purse | $5,000,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | Andre Fabre (8) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Frankie Dettori (6) |
ALSO SEE: Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks, Odds, Leading Contenders, Betting Insights & Analysis
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Recent Winners
- 2025– Daryz (Mikael Barzalona/Francis Graffard)
- 2024– Bluestocking (Rossa Ryan/Ralph Beckett)
- 2023– Ace Impact (Cristian Demuro/Jean-Claude Rouget)
- 2022– Alpinista (Luke Morris/Sir Mark Prescott)
- 2021– Torquator Tasso (Rene Piechulek/Marcel Weiss)
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2026: Betting Preview
The 2026 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will feature the world’s best horses over a mile and four furlongs, with runners from France, Ireland, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom taking their chance. It will be the final race of its kind, with geldings able to run in the Arc from 2027 onwards. You can find out more about the contenders in this year’s Arc here.
Daryz (Francis Graffard)
Defending Champion, held off Kalpana to win by a head 12 months ago. Avenged no-show at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes to hold off Bay City Roller to land Prix Foy last time out. However, no male horse has won back-to-back editions since Alleged nearly 50 years ago. Only four of the last 12 favorites have won.
Maltese Cross (William Haggas)
Won the Grand Prix de Paris, beating Ancient Egypt by a head. Bested Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the Great Voltigeur. I’m against him because I think he’s a bit overhyped and is way too short at the prices based on the odds available. Â
Kalpana (Andrew Balding)
Holds the best single form line in this race after beating Calandagan by a length in the King George. Grueling effort last time to hold off Sparan Nua in the Yorkshire Oaks, which may have left a mark. Well beaten when seventh in the Arc 12 months ago. Better than ever this year, and should certainly close the gap. However, I’m not sure she is as good away from Ascot as she is at her favored track.
Diamond Necklace (Aidan O’Brien)
Only blemish came when beaten two lengths by Aventure in the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet; yard illness to blame for that run. Excellent before then, stomping her authority as the best three-year-old filly in Europe, winning French Oaks and French 1000 Guineas. Got the better of Friendly Soul on only UK start, finishing two lengths clear in the Nassau. Likely quicker ground than she would prefer. Three-year-olds have won ten of last 20 runnings, and fillies have won 5 of the last ten.
Thundering On (Joseph O’Brien)
Winner of the Epsom Oaks in dominant fashion on good to soft ground. Quick ground to blame for no-show in Pretty Polly before bouncing back to beat Lilt in the Blandford. By Frankel, who produced 2022 Arc heroine Alpanista. Joseph O’Brien has been in red-hot form throughout the season, and it is hard to dismiss her claims.
Varandir (Francis Graffard)
Progressive three-year-old, who, like Daryz last year, is attempting to win his first Group One in the Arc. Dominant winner over a mile and three on soft, before finishing a close fourth behind Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix de Paris. Winner over course and distance in the Prix Niel. Clocking the fastest time in that race this century, 30 lengths swifter than Daryz on the same card.
Minnie Hauk (Aidan O’Brien)
Close second in this race 12 months ago. Hasn’t been the same horse this year, but improved effort when not really asked for maximum effort when third in the Yorkshire Oaks. Could have been trained with this race in mind.
Bay City Roller (George Scott)
Chased home Daryz in the Prix Foy, not looking overly suited by quick ground. Was a dominant winner on slow ground when easing ten lengths clear of the Coronation Cup field. Not the same beast on good ground, easy to overlook unless the rain comes.
Benvenuto Cellini (Aidan O’Brien)
No show in the Epsom Derby before landing the Irish Derby. Yet to better career-best showing when third but two lengths behind Kalpana in the King George. Looked off it when easily beaten despite being heavily backed last time, finishing over four lengths behind Varandir. Frustrating horse, and likely the least interesting of the three-year-olds.
Meisho Tabaru (Mamoru Ishibashi)
Aiming to become the first Japanese-trained horse to win the Arc. He has won the Takarazuka Kinen for the past two years and comes straight here without a prep run. Yutaka Take rides him in his 12th Arc. Unproven over this far, finishing only 13th in Arima Kinen last December.Â
Saddadd (Roger Varian)
Battled to win the Preis von Baden in Germany, races on the pace which should suit his chances of picking up some pieces. Looks a better horse over a mile and four than he was over a mile and two, including taking fourth in the Coral Eclipse and third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. German Prep has spring-boarded Danedream and Torquator Tasso to Arc glory. And he’s unexposed over this distance.
Admire Tarra (Yasuro Tomomichi)
Second Japanese raider aiming to give the country a first win in the Arc. Winner of two races from nine starts, and has proven stamina, having finished third behind Croix Du Nord over two miles in the Tenno Sho and winning a Japanese Group Two over a mile and six. Hard to make much of a case, although he will get his preferred ground.
Arrow Eagle (Jean-Claude Rouget)
Rouget has trained two Arc winners since 2020. Would likely prefer a bog, having won two French graded races on soft and very soft. Not beaten far by Al Asy in the Grand Prix de Deauville in August, which isn’t Grade One form.
Bright Light (Andreas Suborics)
German-trained runners have won three Arcs since 1975. Unlike most German contenders in the Arc, he’d likely prefer faster ground. Beaten a neck by Tiffany in the Grosser Preis von Berlin, form has subsequently been boosted with Prescott-trained runner dominating the Kentucky Turf Cup. Was two lengths behind Saddadd in the Preis von Baden last time when held up at the back before getting racing room too late in the piece, finishing ahead of Giavellotto.
Chestnut Rocket (Alicja Karkosa)
Massive outsider. Second behind Al Asy on testing ground in Grand Prix de Deauville. Winner of a listed race over a mile and four at Vichy. Up against it.
Friendly Soul (John & Thady Gosden)
Good, albeit fortunate winner of the Prix Vermeille over course and distance at the start of September, finishing a length clear of Sunly. Survie finished 14 lengths behind the winner, and was previously two lengths ahead of Ancient Egypt, who was only beaten a head by Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix de Paris. Was only held two lengths by Diamond Necklace in the Nassau, and chased home Blue Bolt over an inadequate mile when third in the Duke of Cambridge. Looks a much stronger contender over a mile and four, and has been eased into this season by the Gosden yard, which has won three Arcs. By Kingman, who has produced a Group One winner over a mile and four at Longchamp, Feed The Flame, who won the Grand Prix de Paris in 2023.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2026 Picks
2026 has been the year for the girls, with Cherie DeVaux winning the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and Saffie Osborne becoming the first female to ride the winner of a British Classic in the St Leger. The female dominance in racing will continue at Longchamp, as I think Diamond Necklace will bounce back to her very best form after a no-show when a stable illness didn’t see her in the best light last time out.Â
She powered through the line on her start prior to that in the Nassau, suggesting that this step up in trip should suit. Had she come into this with a perfect record, then she would be much shorter, but she retains the confidence of Ryan Moore. Three-year-olds have an excellent record in the race, and fillies have won half of the previous ten.Â
Free Pick:
