2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Profiling the Japanese contenders
The 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will see three top Japanese contenders: Byzantine Dream, Croix Du Nord, and Alohi Alii. Byzantine Dream, now a strong Arc prospect after a Prix Foy win, aims for peak form. Trois Du Nord impressed with a close win at Longchamp, while Alohi Alii is considered underrated despite an emphatic Deauville triumph. Trainers are focused on optimizing each horse for Longchamp’s conditions. Japan continues its determined quest for a maiden Arc victory, with strategic preparation underway for all three horses.
- Three Japanese horses to contest the 2025 Arc: Byzantine Dream, Croix Du Nord, Alohi Alii
- Byzantine Dream is in top Arc betting after winning the Prix Foy
- Trainers are targeting optimal condition and adaptability to Longchamp's ground for each horse
We profile the three Japanese superstars who will be taking part in the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Japanese racing has been a dominant force on the global horse racing scene over recent years. Star of Japanese racing have captured practically every major worldwide Group One on turf, and have proved themselves particularly prolific in middle-distance races.
The most famous middle-distance race in the world is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - a historic contest that Japan have been trying to win for decades, but have never managed to capture.
On the first Sunday in October, three Japanese stars will line up in Europe's most prestigious horse race. Here's a brief look at the trio of Japanese raiders who'll enter the stalls at Longchamp ahead of the 2025 Arc.
2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Japanese Runners
Byzantine Dream
Only Minnie Hauk and Aventure sit higher in the Arc betting than Byzantine Dream. Tomoyasu Sakaguchi's star leapt up to third in the market following a narrow victory in the Prix Foy - one of the key Arc trials staged in France for older horses.
Oisin Murphy delivered Byzantine Dream perfectly to beat Sosie, the beaten favourite in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Following that victory, Sakaguchi told the press that his Arc challenger will improve greatly for that return to action at Longchamp.
"My first impression is that the horse was in great shape and the jockey rode a very good race. It was a wonderful victory." Sakaguchi explained.
"The horse still has room for improvement and will be at the peak of his condition for the Arc. Today was just a prep and he still had something in reserve."
"The going will be the big question. But, the priority is to prepare the horse well between now and the Arc. We'll worry about the ground later."
Croix Du Nord
A week after the traditional Trials Day card at Longchamp, Croix Du Nord made a winning French debut in the Prix du Prince d'Orange.
Takashi Saito's leading three-year-old was having his first start since landing the Japanese Derby at Tokyo. Croix Du Nord edged out market rival Daryz in a pulsating finish at Longchamp and - like Byzantine Dream's trainer - Saito was confident that his star would progress for that outing in Paris.
"He was in good condition for the race but not 100 per cent, and so having a race under his belt should bring him on a lot."
"I'm pleased he handled the ground, that was a relief. I think he took the downhill section very well and that was pleasing too. He won, but only just, and will need to take a step forward between now and the Arc."
"He'll come on for the run and I'll have to see how his condition progresses. He'll need to be 100 per cent heading to the Arc and so we'll be getting the work into him."
Alohi Alii
The least-fancied of the Japanese trio in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe betting is Alohi Alii. Many would consider Hiroyasu Tanaka's star to be vastly overpriced - seeing as he claimed a commanding victory on his French debut in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville, beating future Prix Niel winner Cualificar by almost four lengths.
Tanaka opted against running his top three-year-old in one of the recognised Arc trials. Instead, Alohi Alii enjoyed a racecourse gallop at Longchamp the day after Croix Du Nord's victory in the Prix du Prince d'Orange, and Tanaka was pleased with how Alohi Alii handled the track.
"Our aim was to get him to relax and to gain experience of Longchamp," said Tanaka. "Since his race at Deauville he has become quite a bit keener and he has had a lot more energy during his work in the mornings."
"He handled everything well. The ground was softer, even compared to yesterday, and he handled the undulations well, at that speed anyway. It might be different at race speed, but he did well."
"One of the reasons we brought him to France is that we think he will handle even softer ground than this. With age he has become mentally more mature and physically stronger so I think he will be able to handle it if it comes up deeper."
Verdict
Japanese challengers in the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Byzantine Dream
2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
@10/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Croix Du Nord
2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
@8/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Alohi Alii
2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
@25/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their Bet £10 Get £10 as a free ACCA welcome offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 May 2026
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
05 June 2026
- 2026 Epsom Oaks -
- Horse Racing
Load More
