<p>On Sunday, October 5, Longchamp once again stages the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the 104th running of a race that has come to define European middle-distance racing.</p> <p>Paris in autumn provides the setting, and for a few minutes in the Bois de Boulogne the attention of the global horse racing world turns entirely to 2,400 meters of turf.</p> <h2>Arc de Triomphe 2025: Essential Race Information</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Date: </strong>Monday, 6 October 2025</li> <li><strong>Time</strong>: 1:00 AM (AEST) | 3:00 PM (Paris Local Time)</li> <li><strong>Location:</strong> Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France</li> <li><strong>Distance:</strong> 2,400 metres (turf)</li> <li><strong>Prize Money:</strong> €5 million</li> <li><strong>Race Number:</strong> 104th running of the Arc de Triomphe</li> </ul> <h2>Longchamp Racecourse: The Ultimate Test for European Horses</h2> <p>The Arc is scheduled for 3:00 PM local time in Paris, which makes it an early Monday morning viewing for Australian racing fans. The timing reflects its dual role: a European centerpiece and a truly international contest.</p> <p>Longchamp itself is part of the challenge that makes the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe so prestigious.</p> <p>Opened in 1857, the course isn't straightforward. Its sweeping bends and rolling ground ask questions that go beyond raw speed. Opened in 1857, the course is challenging; its sweeping bends and rolling ground ask questions that go beyond raw speed.</p> <p>To win here, a horse needs class, stamina, and the ability to adapt and handle one of racing's most searching tests.</p> <p>The racecourse has been updated in recent years, with modern spectator facilities added to complement the traditions that have made Arc weekend a fixture not only on the racing calendar but also on the wider European social scene.</p> <h2>Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe History: A Century of Racing Champions</h2> <p>The Arc was first staged in 1920, created in the aftermath of World War I as a symbol of renewal. Named after Paris’s iconic monument, it has since grown into Europe’s richest flat race, now offering €5 million in prize money.</p> <p>Its winners form a roll call of racing’s greats. Ribot dominated in the 1950s with back-to-back victories, Sea-Bird produced what many still regard as the finest Arc performance in 1965, Treve secured consecutive wins in 2013 and 2014, and Enable repeated the feat in 2017 and 2018.&nbsp;</p> <p>Each renewal adds another layer to a history that defines modern European thoroughbred racing.</p> <h2>Arc de Triomphe 2025 Field: Key Contenders and Betting Favorites</h2> <p>This year’s race attracted 78 initial entries, up from 73 in 2024, underlining its global reach and setting the stage for one of the most competitive renewals in recent memory.</p> <p>French Challengers:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Aventure </strong>(Christophe Ferland): A leading home hope at Longchamp.</li> <li><strong>Sosie</strong> (André Fabre): From the record-breaking Arc trainer.<br /> &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Irish Raiders:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Minnie Hauk </strong>(Aidan O'Brien): Ballydoyle’s bid for a third Arc victory.<br /> &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Rising Stars:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Byzantine Dream</strong>: Secured his place with a Prix Foy success.<br /> &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Japanese Challenge: Japan returns once more in pursuit of a first Arc, a mission that has become symbolic of the country’s progress on the world stage.</p> <h2>Arc de Triomphe Ground Conditions: Weather Impact on 2025 Betting</h2> <p>Ground conditions in October are often decisive at Longchamp. Cooler weather and rainfall can quickly make the surface testing, and early forecasts point toward softer going for Arc 2025.</p> <p>Such conditions can expose those unproven on demanding ground while giving stayers the edge.</p> <p>It’s this unpredictability that makes sure every Arc feels unique, with no renewal ever quite like the last.</p> <h2>Arc de Triomphe Weekend: More Than Just Horse Racing</h2> <p>Arc weekend has become a festival that goes far beyond the feature race. The two days are packed with Group contests, from key juvenile races to established trials and sprints that would headline any other meeting.</p> <p>Together, they build a programme that frames the Arc as the jewel at the centre of a wider celebration of the sport.</p> <p>Off the track, organisers have worked to open the event to new audiences. The Arc Village mixes food, entertainment, and guided introductions to racing, while the Arc Summit offers an elevated view over Longchamp that has quickly become a favourite for spectators.</p> <p>These additions highlight how the weekend blends French hospitality with top-level racing.</p> <p>The appeal is global. Fans travel in from the UK and Ireland, where the Arc holds near-mythical status, while Japan continues to send large contingents of both horses and supporters in search of that elusive first victory.</p> <p>Australian punters often follow the action in the early hours, reflecting how the Arc has established itself as a worldwide fixture.</p> <p>For regulars, the weekend is a pilgrimage. For newcomers, it offers the rare chance to combine Paris, culture, and racing at the very top level, which is an experience few other sporting events can match.</p> <h2>Arc de Triomphe 2025 Final Preparations: What to Watch</h2> <p>The final field will be confirmed after declarations and the draw on October 2. Stall positions can prove influential, particularly with such a large entry. Until then, attention will focus on trial form, training updates, and how the ground develops.</p> <p>When the gates open at Longchamp, the winner could be a home-trained star, an Irish challenger, or an international visitor. Whoever it is, the 2025 Arc will add another chapter to a race that remains the crown jewel of European flat racing.</p>