Arc Day 2025 Ground Conditions - What to Expect at Longchamp

Conrad Castleton

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Last updated: Tue 30 Sep 2025 16:53

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Conrad Castleton 30 Sep 2025

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Rain forecast may change Longchamp track conditions ahead of Arc day
Switch to softer ground could favor horses suited to wet weather
Unpredictable weather means all runners still have a chance

A general view as runners go to the start during Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp. (Getty)

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains Europe’s most prestigious Flat race, and with the 2025 renewal fast approaching at Longchamp, all eyes turn to the weather forecast as the underfoot conditions can have a big influence on how the race unfolds.

The build-up to Arc weekend has seen relatively settled conditions in Paris. The forecast for the early part of this week is fairly dry, with windy conditions set to dry the track out further.

As of the weekend, the official going at Longchamp was good, good-to-soft in places. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is usually run on very soft ground - but conditions at the moment couldn't be more different.

However, recent forecasts show that 20mm of rain is due to fall at Longchamp in the early hours of Saturday morning. If the rain persists for longer than expected, it could have a dramatic effect on the potential going for the Arc, which is set to go off at 3:05pm on Sunday.

That setup leans towards favouring horses who act well on soft ground. Those with a liking for some give underfoot may gain a slight edge. Meanwhile, runners who prefer sound, faster ground will need to cope with more testing conditions than hoped.

There's been a real lack of rain in the UK this flat season. Many meetings have been impacted much less by the rain than the forecast suggested. So, there's still hope for punters who've backed good-ground lovers in this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!