2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe News - Quotes From Connections
The 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is set for Sunday with 18 elite middle-distance horses competing. Trainers and connections report positive preparations, underscoring factors like fitness, ground preferences, and tactical adaptability. There is anticipation about rain affecting conditions, with several horses coming into the race in strong form or fresh from key prep runs. While most camps express cautious optimism, weather and race-day fortune are expected to play pivotal roles. The field promises a competitive and wide-open renewal, as key contenders aim to make history.
- Key quotes ahead of the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
- This historic race will be run at Longchamp on Sunday 5th October
- Read quotes from Aidan O'Brien, Francis-Henri Graffard, Christophe Ferland and more on our website
- Aidan O'Brien (Trainer of Minnie Hauk)
- Christophe Ferland (Trainer of Aventure)
- Pierre-Yves Bureau (Racing Manager to the owners of Sosie)
- Barry Mahon (Racing Manager to the owners of Kalpana)
- David O'Meara (Trainer of Estrange)
- Aidan O'Brien (Trainer of Los Angeles)
- Francis-Henri Graffard (Trainer of Gezora, Daryz and Quisisana)
- Takashi Saito (Trainer of Croix Du Nord)
- Tomoyasu Sakaguchi (Trainer of Byzantine Dream)
- Marco Botti (Trainer of Giavellotto)
- Louise Benard (Racing manager to the owners of Cualificar)
- Hiroyasu Tanaka (Trainer of Alohi Alii)
- George Murphy (Assistant Trainer of White Birch)
Arc Quotes
One of the world's most prestigious horse races takes place on Sunday, as 18 of the sport's finest middle-distance runners take part in the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Here are the quotes from the connections of the horses who'll run in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Key Quotes
Aidan O'Brien (Trainer of Minnie Hauk)
We have always thought a lot of her. She was, of course, a very expensive yearling to whom we gave time. She finished second on debut in her maiden, behind a filly trained by my son Joseph. And the filly who beat her was then beaten by her in the Irish Oaks.
We knew she was a little behind this year, as she had only run twice at two. So she started off in a trial at Chester, then went on to Epsom. And of course, the rest you know!
We knew she was going to catch up, and she proved it by winning at Epsom and the Curragh. Between the Curragh and York, we felt she had improved again in her work, and that was confirmed on the day of the race.
Minnie Hauk is progressing slowly but surely, without interruption. Her last piece of work was excellent. Christophe (Soumillon) sat on her at the weekend. It was his first time on her, and he seemed very happy with her as well.
Christophe Ferland (Trainer of Aventure)
Aventure’s win in the Qatar Prix Vermeille - her first Group 1 - was a real relief. We had really been waiting for that victory. This win in the Vermeille was a major step in her career, though we naturally have more goals ahead.
Aventure recovered very well from her last race. I haven’t encountered any issues in her preparation for the Arc, which allows me to approach the race calmly. I don’t pay attention to the fact that she’s the favourite. I’m going through it all serenely, without the pressure I felt last year.
In the ten days leading up to the 2024 Arc, we had many discussions about whether to run her in the Arc or the Prix de l’Opéra, which seemed like an easier option. I had the green light from her owners to enter the Arc. We have this motto: ‘We win together, we lose together!’ Her second place last year was deeply emotional for me.
Pierre-Yves Bureau (Racing Manager to the owners of Sosie)
That was a very good return. He hadn’t run since early July, and the idea was to prepare him for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. We were beaten by the horse we knew the least about, but against the other runners, he clearly showed his quality. If all goes well, we’ll be at the start of the Arc in four weeks’ time. We are satisfied.
Barry Mahon (Racing Manager to the owners of Kalpana)
Her last couple of bits of work before it were a bit lazy, so I wasn't surprised. Obviously, Giavellotto is a very good horse, he's a Grade 1 winner in Hong Kong. She was coming there possibly to win the race, got a bump, then got reorganised and got another bump. At that stage then fitness kicked in and her run was done. But I thought she showed enough and we stuck to the plan.
She's a year older and she'd gotten a little lazy there at home in her work going into Kempton. We thought we'd try them (cheekpieces) on her at home and see if they made a different, and Andrew felt they had a very positive effect.
So we're going to stick with them. We obviously utilised them with Bluestocking last year, throughout the year, and they had a very good effect on her as well. Sometimes with these mares they get a little older and they're going through the motions, they just need something to change it up and spark the enthusiasm again.
David O'Meara (Trainer of Estrange)
The weather forecast looks favourable and in the last couple of days quite a bit of rain has appeared in the forecast. We’re very much looking forward to it.
To win an Arc would mean everything. It’s an iconic race and to have a runner in it, and one who hopefully has a competitive chance, is great for us.
She’s in great form, the rain forecast should arrive and while the draw is a little bit of a downer obviously, she’s in great form and we’ll have to wait and see.
Aidan O'Brien (Trainer of Los Angeles)
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the race Los Angeles has been trained for all year. Last year, he put up a very good performance, even if the tactics were not ideal. He wasn’t beaten far. Los Angeles is adaptable: he handles all types of ground, but would probably be most comfortable if the ground eases.
Anything can happen in a race. There are so many variables you cannot control. Minnie Hauk and Los Angeles have never worked together, their preparations have been totally different. But it will be interesting to see them in the same race. All we can do as trainers is prepare our horses well, hope for a clear run, and that things go right.
Francis-Henri Graffard (Trainer of Gezora, Daryz and Quisisana)
Daryz is a horse we always thought was going to be our Arc contender. He has a turn of foot so he has a very interesting profile.
For a three-year-old colt in France, I think he deserves to take his chance. I wouldn’t swap my horse for any of these (other three-year-old colts in France) - Cualificar is very good and he’s run many good races but if you compare the form with Bay City Roller, Daryz can compete against Cualificar, no problem. I think my horse is an improver and he has a turn of foot.
I like Tom (Marquand), he is a hard worker. He is very well balanced on his horse and we’ve had a little bit of luck together. He rode Tazmania for me in the Daine and she was third, he’s a very good jockey and he will suit Gezora no problem.
She is very reliable, she doesn’t look much but you can really believe in her during the race.
Quisisana you will see if a fantastic filly physically, I think she arrives very fresh and in top, top form.
Gezora is very easy – whatever the pace will be, she will quicken. Quisisana is a long-striding filly so she needs a bit of pace and she can’t be boxed-in in the field. If that’s not the case, she will quicken strongly and stay the mile and a half. Daryz will quicken strongly too.”
They are all very different and they are coming with a different prep but they all have their qualities. It’s going to be a very big field and it looks like the forecast is for more rain now so the ground might be very much on the soft side, so I think the luck in the race could make the different. But they all have very interesting profiles.
Takashi Saito (Trainer of Croix Du Nord)
He was in good condition for his last 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.
Tomoyasu Sakaguchi (Trainer of Byzantine Dream)
My first impression is that the horse was in great shape and the jockey rode a very good race. It was a wonderful victory.
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.
Marco Botti (Trainer of Giavellotto)
I don’t know how much rain they will get but last week when the decision was made we had the ground in our favour. Now with the rain forecast Friday into Saturday, that will put a lot of doubts into it basically.
I’m not very keen to run on soft ground, that would be my decision but of course in these circumstances we need to have a conversation with the owners and what they decide to do.
Saturday the forecast is rain, so it leaves it quite late in order to decide which way it goes. Unfortunately I wish we were in a different situation.
Everything had gone smoothly. I was getting a little bit excited about getting to run in the Arc because he had a nice prep race at Kempton.
Louise Benard (Racing manager to the owners of Cualificar)
We are very happy, although I admit that for a moment in the straight I was worried. Losing a race for lack of a gap is perhaps the most frustrating thing. Fortunately, once he found daylight, he was able to express himself fully, and he did so in great style.
The fact that William Buick knows him was also an advantage: he already liked him a lot after the Jockey Club. These are very talented horses… and if all goes well, he will obviously line up in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, because he clearly shows that the mile and a half does not bother him at all.
Hiroyasu Tanaka (Trainer of Alohi Alii)
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.
George Murphy (Assistant Trainer of White Birch)
I think at this stage of his career going back up to a mile and a half will be no problem for him and we think it will suit.
We’ll aim to go for the Arc now and hopefully we’ll get some softer ground – all being well that is the plan.
We’re looking forward to it and hoping we can get him there in one piece, he’s come out of Leopardstown well and fingers crossed we get to go to France.
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