Entries for the 2026 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and launch of the 2nd renewal of the Arc Races

Entries for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe closed on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 10:30. A total of 73 entries, compared to 78 in 2025, were received for the group 1 that takes place on Sunday, 4 October 2026 at the ParisLongchamp racecourse. 

Last year’s winner, Daryz, runner-up Minnie Hauk and third placed Sosie have all been entered again in the 2026 renewal. 

Entries according to countries

Once again this year, the race has received a high number of international entries, with France still leading the way: 

• France : 27 entries (including 21 trained in Chantilly)
• United Kingdom : 21
• Ireland : 12
• Japan : 7
• Germany : 6

Japanese runners that are drawing a lot of attention 

Seven Japanese trained horses have been entered in the 2026 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, headlined by Forever Young, the dual winner of the Gr1 Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race worth USD20 Million. Owned by Susumu Fujita and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, he has already made history. In November 2025, he lifted the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in California, a race run on dirt and considered the equivalent of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is run on turf. In doing so, he became the first Japanese trained horse to win the most prestigious American race open to three-year-olds and older horses. And let’s not forget that as a three-year-old in 2024, he also finished third in the legendary Gr1 Kentucky Derby.

His owner Susumu Fujita and trainer Yoshita Yahagi have also entered Shin Emperor who was bred in Normandy by the Haras des Monceaux. He already ran in the 2024 renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 

Byzantine Dream and Alohi Alii are also no strangers to ParisLongchamp. In September 2025, Byzantine Dream lifted the Gr 2 Qatar Prix Foy at this famous racecourse before finishing fifth in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Alohi Alii also ran in the 2025 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning the Gr2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano in impressive style during the Deauville Barrière Meeting in August.

The five-year-old Meisho Tabaru has also received an entry. He is a son of Gold Ship, who was a runner in the 2014 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomhpe and was a favourite with Japanese punters, who loved his strong personality. Last year, Meisho Tabaru won the Gr1 Takarazuka Kinen, the final event of the Japanese spring season where fans cast votes to determine the runners. 

Another five-year-old is Admire Terra, who finished third in the GR 1 Osaka Hai in May. He is trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, who already saddled Makahiki and Do Deuce in past editions of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 

The Japanese entries also include the three-year-old filly Juryoku Pierrot who is going to run in the Gr1 Yushun Himba, the Japanese equivalent of the Prix de Diane on Sunday, 25 May. She will be partnered by the 22-year-old female jockey Seina Imamura. Juryoku Pierrot is by Orfèvre, twice runner-up of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2012 and 2013).

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe : the final of the Arc Races

The list of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe entries may well expand with the addition of winners of the 2026 Arc Races, a series composed of the major highlights in the French Flat racing calendar. 

Indeed, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is also the final of the Arc Races, a series that starts with the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club on Sunday, 31 May at Chantilly.

For the second year of the Arc Races series, the same key races are retained. Once again, winners of the 8 major races that are not yet entered in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will receive a « Wild Card » that will allow them to join the list of potential runners. 

A Wild Card for the Arc and entry fees waived for the winners’ connections

Like last year, winners of the Arc Races will be granted a Wild Card to run in the Arc, provided they meet the race conditions. If there are too many starters (Maximum of 24 starters), Arc Races winners will be given priority and will not be included in the elimination procedure. France Galop will also refund their entry fees (€8,300), while horses that have not been entered will be given the opportunity of an entry window 15 days after the official closing date.

For those who haven’t earned a Wildcard come September, the Qatar Arc Trials on Sunday, 6 September 2026, at ParisLongchamp, offer an unprecedented opportunity to qualify! Winners of the three main trials on Arc Trials day (Qatar Prix Vermeille, Qatar Prix Niel and Qatar Prix Foy) will automatically receive their Wildcard to run in the Arc.

Winners of the Arc trial races will have their entry fees refunded. More importantly, if they don’t have an entry in the Arc, they will receive a free supplementary entry worth €120 000.

Press Contact France Galop – Héléna Dupuy – hdupuy@france-galop.com