With Europe’s premier middle-distance race fast approaching, we've ranked six of the best Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners from the past 50 years.
Longchamp legends like Ribot, Sea Bird, Vaguely Noble, and Mill Reef miss out on the qualifying period, but there is no shortage of star quality in this line-up.
Prix de l’Arc Winners Ranked
Dancing Brave
1. DANCING BRAVE (1986)
Guy Harwood's colt had been the unluckiest of losers in the Epsom Derby but gained Paris redemption when romping home ahead of a stellar field.
French Derby hero Bering, Champion Stakes scorer Triptych, dual Derby victor Shahrastani, Juddmonte International ace Shardari, Prix Vermeille winner Darara, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud star Acatenango and Coronation Cup king Saint Estephe were all left toiling in Dancing Brave's wake after Pat Eddery produced him with a stunning late surge on the wide outside.
Sea The Stars
2. SEA THE STARS (2009)
John Oxx had already sent out his superstar to five consecutive Group One triumphs in the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse, the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes before heading to France.
Mick Kinane appeared to be caught in a pocket on the inside behind a wall of horses turning for home, but Sea The Stars bravely weaved his way through before producing a trademark turn of foot to race clear of his rivals. "Perfection in equine form, a horse of a lifetime," cried commentator Jim McGrath.
Treve
3. TREVE (2013 & 2014)
Orfevre had come agonisingly close to giving Japan a famous Arc win in 2012 and was runner-up again the following season, but this time he never looked like laying a glove on Treve, who cruised to the front three furlongs out under Thierry Janet before an incredible burst of speed settled the issue and she scored by an easy five lengths.
Treve again travelled strongly throughout 12 months later and sprinted clear early on in the home straight to follow up with the minimum of fuss, before finishing fourth behind Golden Horn in 2015 when trying to complete a historic hat-trick.
Enable
4. ENABLE (2017 & 2018)
John Gosden's admirable mare had secured Group One triumphs in the Epsom Oaks, the Irish equivalent, Ascot's King George and the Yorkshire Oaks prior to capping off a superb 2017 campaign by comfortably landing the Arc at Chantilly, while Longchamp was closed for development.
Frankie Dettori again asked Enable to put the race to bed at the two-furlong pole the following year, and she initially seized a significant advantage, but the line only just came in time as Sea Of Class stormed home to get within a short neck of her. The treble was denied by Waldgeist in 2019.
Peintree Celebre
5. PEINTRE CELEBRE (1997)
A race that featured the previous year's winner Helissio, Irish Champion Stakes star Pilsudski, King George victor Swain, dual Irish St Leger scorer Oscar Schindler, Irish Oaks ace Ebadiyla and German Derby-winning filly Borgia was turned into a procession after French Derby and Grand Prix de Paris hero Peintre Celebre swept to the front two furlongs out.
"Breathtaking, breathtaking, save the video," was BBC pundit Willie Carson's response after Olivier Peslier cruised to a five-length victory on Andre Fabre's stunning colt.
Alleged
6. ALLEGED (1977 & 1978)
Many pundits felt Lester Piggott was at fault when Vincent O'Brien's charge lost his unbeaten record to The Queen's Dunfermline in the St Leger, but he made amends with a masterful front-running ride to gain revenge in the Arc, with the royal runner only fourth.
Alleged to have had to have a break due to sore shins the following summer, but a warm-up win in the Prix du Prince d'Orange put him spot on for a second Arc success, when Piggott was again always in control and doing just enough to comfortably see off star French fillies Trillion and Dancing Maid.
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