Longchamp steps into the spotlight on Sunday afternoon with one of the classiest cards of the European season. The monumental Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the towering centrepiece but is only one of six top-tier Group 1 contests on offer from the Paris track. With significant riches and prestige on offer, Arc day attracts the best of the best from France, Britain, Ireland, and beyond.
When it comes to international Group 1 contests, one man knows better than any other what it takes to succeed. Already boasting more top-level Flat wins than any trainer in history, Aidan O’Brien is sending a powerful squad to France. Benvenuto Cellini, Diamond Necklace, and Minnie Hauk are the chosen trio in the feature event, and the Ballydoyle maestro has a host of live challengers in the other Group 1 contests.
Prix Marcel Boussac
- Previous Wins – Rumplestiltskin (2005), Misty For Me (2010), Found (2014), Ballydoyle (2015), Opera Singer (2023), Diamond Necklace (2025)
O’Brien is responsible for three of the twelve runners in this one-mile event for the juvenile fillies – a division in which he is traditionally strong. From what we have seen to date, So Lovely, Nevermindtherain, and Ibelieveicanfly may not be at the very top of the O’Brien pecking order, but an impressive performance on Sunday could change that.
If jockey bookings are any guide, Ibelieveicanfly may be the pick of the trio. Ryan Moore takes the ride aboard the Frankel filly, who has won only one of six starts, but has run some smart races in defeat, including in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes. She will need more here, but the step up to a mile may spark improvement.
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère
- Previous Wins – Second Empire (1997), Ciro (1999), Rock Of Gibraltar (2001), Hold That Tiger (2002), Oratorio (2004), Horatio Nelson (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006), Happily (2017), Camille Pissarro (2024), Puerto Rico (2025)
If Folsom Blues turns up in the same form as when running away with the Vincent O’Brien Stakes, Joseph rather than Aidan O’Brien may hold the ace in the pack in this seven-furlong contest.
However, Aidan won’t go down without a fight as he seeks a remarkable eleventh win in the race. Of his two entries, Aix La Chapelle makes the most appeal on paper, being by US Triple Crown winner Justify, and out of the Group 1-winning mare Immortal Verse. However, Ryan Moore prefers the claims of the No Nay Never colt, Man’s Best Friend. While he disappointed last time out in the Prix Morny, he looked a star on the rise in the Richmond Stakes and may resume his progress.
Prix de l’Abbaye
- Previous Wins – None
If there is one race on the card where O’Brien is not feared as much as usual, it is this event over the fast and furious five furlongs. Mission Central is the runner tasked with handing his trainer a first-ever win, but he will need to bounce back from subpar outings in the July Cup, Nunthorpe, and Flying Five Stakes. On the plus side, a draw in stall five gives him every chance, and he showed what he can do when winning the King Charles III Stakes over this trip at Royal Ascot.
Prix de l’Opera
- Previous Wins – Rhododendron (2017)
Given the quality of fillies and mares he has had at his disposal over the years, it is surprising that O’Brien has won this 1m2f event only once. He sends two to post in an effort to double that tally in 2026.
Beautify suggested big things may lie ahead when winning the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes but is now looking to break an eight-race losing streak. Precise has more compelling claims. The best of the O’Brien juvenile fillies in 2025, she has delivered on that promise with Group 1 wins in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. She has come up short in her past four outings but receives weight from the likely favourite, Aventure, and could go close.
Prix de la Foret
- Previous Wins – None
Puerto Rico and True Love represent O’Brien in the final Group 1 on the card. Puerto Rico is winless in 2026 but has run well on his two previous Longchamp outings. Successful in the 2025 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère over this course and distance, he finished a close fourth in the French 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal return. He’s a double-figure price and could be a popular each-way option with William Buick in the saddle.
Like Puerto Rico, True Love scored in Group 1 company at two. Unlike her stablemate, she has added to her Group 1 haul in her Classic campaign. That success came in no less a race than the 1,000 Guineas. She is zero from five since, but may be suited by a strongly run race at this trip and has solid claims in an open event.
Like most trainers, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will top Aidan O’Brien’s wish-list on Sunday afternoon. The feature event looks a tough race to win in 2026, but it will be a surprise if the Group 1 specialist returns home empty-handed.