It's the big day for all the champions!

The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) is the pinnacle of world Flat racing, just as the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Group 1) is over jumps. At the heart of a card featuring seven Group 1 races - the highest level of the sport - the Arc will of course be the highlight at 4.05pm. Horses come from all over the world to contest it: Japan, Britain, Germany, Ireland and, of course, France... Sport and emotion are guaranteed!

This year, Daryz, trained in Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard and carrying the Aga Khan Studs colours, will attempt to win the Arc for the second year running, something no male horse has achieved since Alleged in 1978. It would be a remarkable feat. The Aga Khan family will also be represented by the younger Varandir, winner of the Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2), the key Arc trial for three-year-olds. There will be plenty of emotion surrounding Arrow Eagle, as he will be the final runner for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget before his retirement. But to win, the French contenders will have to overcome top-class international opposition. The Irish challengers include Diamond Necklace, winner of the Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1), and Thundering On, who won the British equivalent, the Epsom Oaks (Group 1). They are trained respectively by Aidan and Joseph O'Brien, father and son. Another formidable international contender is the British-trained Maltese Cross, who was bred in France. He finished second in the Epsom Derby (Group 1) before winning the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1) at Longchamp. Ireland's Aidan O'Brien can also rely on Minnie Hauk, runner-up in the 2025 Arc, and Benvenuto Cellini, winner of the Irish Derby (Group 1). John and Thady Gosden, father and son, will saddle the British-trained Friendly Soul, winner of the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1), the leading Arc trial for fillies and mares. A four-time Group 1 winner, Kalpana could become an eighth Arc winner for her owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms, which would draw level with the Aga Khan Studs as the most successful owner in the race's history. Japan's two representatives, Admire Terra and Meisho Tabaru, will have the backing of an entire nation that has been waiting 30 years for an Arc victory... Everything is in place: let the spectacle and top-class sport begin!

Early on this gala card, the two-year-olds will also take centre stage. The fillies will contest the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac-Critérium des Pouliches (Group 1) at 1.31pm. France will face a tough task against the O'Briens, father and son. Joseph may hold the strongest hand with Green Empress, a Group 2 winner in Ireland, who will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon. More two-year-olds will then line up in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Group 1) at 2.09pm, a race open to both colts and fillies. Once again, Ireland and Joseph O'Brien will have strong claims. The young trainer will saddle Folsom Blues, winner of his country's equivalent of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. France will rely on Avec Toi, unbeaten in four starts, to challenge him.

The afternoon continues at 2.47pm with the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Group 1), the premier contest for sprinters - horses racing over distances from 1,000m to 1,200m - who can reach speeds close to 70km/h. The race looks wide open and the draw will be crucial. Once again, the British, renowned specialists over the shorter distances, will be difficult to beat.

The Purebred Arabians take centre stage at 3.25pm for their own Arc, the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1). Runner-up in the race in 2025, when beaten by champion Al Ghadeer, HM Alchahine will be looking to go one better and arrives on the back of two Group 1 victories. RB Kingmaker, winner of Saudi Arabia's leading race for Purebred Arabians and representing the same connections as HM Alchahine, can also aim for the very top. On an impressive winning streak, Chdia will attempt to beat the males for Wathnan Racing, racing in the colours of the Emir of Qatar.

Immediately after the Arc, at 4.50pm, several top-class fillies and mares will take to the ParisLongchamp track for the Prix de l'Opéra Longines. Some of them could easily have lined up in the Arc itself. We could be treated to a clash between Aventure, runner-up in the 2024 Arc, and Pink Panthera, second in both the Prix de Diane Longines and the Qatar Prix Vermeille.

Sunday's final Group 1, the Qatar Prix de la Forêt, looks an ideal target for Samangan, winner of the Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest - FEE - En mémoire de Louis Romanet (Group 1). He will be making his first appearance at Longchamp and tackling its distinctive 1,400m course, but he will be one of France's leading hopes of the weekend.