The lots have been picked, the draw is over, the stage is set for the ‘greatest horse race in the world’, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Over the next two days, the world’s best thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians, ridden by the most celebrated jockeys, will descend on the Chantilly racecourse, the first time ever that the iconic race is being hosted by one of the most historic and picturesque racecourses in the world.
As many as 220 horses will feature in 15 races over the Arc weekend, of which nine are Group 1 races. With a five million euros prize purse, the big race is among the top three richest races in the world.
Just before yesterday’s draw, Japanese raider Makahiki was tipped to be the surprise package. But once he drew gate 14, the focus shifted to Postponed. The son of Dubawi drew stall 7, and now looks like overwhelming favourite for the Arc.
The Roger Varian-trained colt has been unbeaten this season. His last three victories have all come at the highest level – the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International – and his win streak dates back to last year’s King George. Endurance and durability have been his strengths, and he looks to have the best chance to land his first Arc tomorrow.
The other name that could be a close contender is New Bay. The Andre Fabre-trained colt went down all guns blazing in a three-way battle for second with Flintshire and Treve in last year’s Arc and has been looking good coming into the Arc weekend.
Qatar’s hopes will rest on Migwar. The Irish bay colt, owned by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, is trained by Freddy Head and won at Saint Cloud last year but hasn’t looked at his best this season so far.
Frankie Dettori, who has won Europe’s richest race four times before, including last year on Golden Horn, would be riding Order of St George but faces a tough ask in his attempt to win a fifth one after drawing stall 16, the widest of all the gates. Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s other runners, Highland Reel and Found, will race from gates 11 and 12 respectively.
A total of 16 runners will be in fray for the Arc, which will be run over 2,400m.
The 2016 and 2017 editions of the Arc are being staged in Chantilly as its traditional home at Longchamp undergoes a major renovation.
 
Al Mourtajez the one to beat in Qatar Arabian World Cup
The Arc weekend will also stage the Qatar Arabian World Cup — a Group 1 race for Purebred Arabian horses aged four years or older. It is the second of the three legs of the Doha Triple Crown initiated last year, the other two races being the Qatar International Stakes which was run as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival in July, and the HH Emir’s Sword, to be run in Doha in February 2017. The series links together three of the most prestigious international events and also carries a $1,000,000 bonus to any horse who can win all three stages.
Going by current form, Al Shaqab Racing’s champion Al Mourtajez looks on track to land the triple-crown bonus, having won the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood in imperious fashion.
The five-year-old son of Dahess has been running great and looks the one to land the Qatar Arabian crown tomorrow – he won last year’s race at Longchamp by almost five lengths — though his stall 10 start could prove to be a slight hiccup. But Thomas Fourcy’s ward, who has seven Group 1 wins overall, has looked unstoppable wherever he has run this season, including a victory in Qatar Prix – Dragon Stakes (Gr1 PA) at Chantilly on September 11 this year.
The other Al Shaqab horse in fray is Macha’Allah, who shall start from gate 5.
Al Shahania Stud will have three representatives in the race in Gazwan (Gate 2), Rawah (Gate 4) and Reda (Gate 13). Gazwan could be the biggest threat to Al Mourtajez’s Triple Crown quest, having beaten him in the Emir’s Sword in Doha earlier this year.
A total of 15 horses are in fray for the Group 1 Qatar Arabian World Cup, which will be run over 2,000 metres.