his Sunday, 6 September, ParisLongchamp Racecourse will host a top-class race meeting featuring the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1), the Qatar Arc Trials and the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Group 1 PA).

Four weeks ahead of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, three preparatory races make up the Qatar Arc Trials: the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1 – the highest level of international competition), reserved for fillies and mares aged three and over; the Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2), for three-year-old colts and fillies; and the Qatar Prix Foy (Group 2), open to horses aged four and over. These three races give Arc contenders one final opportunity to fine-tune their form on the ParisLongchamp track before the big event on 4 October.

Two other highlights complete the day’s programme. The Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 race run over a mile (1,600 metres); the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon, reserved for Purebred Arabians, is the key prep race for the Qatar Arabian World Cup, the true “Arc de Triomphe” of the Arabian breed.

On Sunday, Aidan O’Brien is expected to travel to ParisLongchamp with seven of his horses for the day’s leading races. The trainer gives us an update.

Three contenders in the Qatar Prix Vermeille

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien will be represented by three runners in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1), a race he has won once, thanks to Warm Heart in 2023. This year, he will be able to rely on Beautify, eighth in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet (Group 1), Composing, ninth in the Irish Oaks (Group 1), and Sugar Island, seventh in the Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1).

Aidan O’Brien: « Composing is in good form and we are simply hoping that she can earn some black type at Group 1 level. The same applies to Beautify. Sugar Island is in good form and stays the distance well. Slightly softer ground would be to her advantage. »

Benvenuto Cellini and Montreal in the Qatar Prix Niel

In the Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2), one of the main preparatory races for the upcoming Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1), Aidan O’Brien will be able to rely on Benvenuto Cellini. Winner of the Irish Derby (Group 1), he subsequently confirmed his quality by finishing third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1) against older horses. His stablemate Montreal, meanwhile, will head into this race after finishing fourth in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Group 2).

Aidan O’Brien: « We are very pleased with Benvenuto Cellini. Everything has gone well since the King George and we are looking forward to seeing him run. Montreal will also line up in the Prix Niel. We think he has progressed since his third-place finish at Chantilly in the Prix du Jockey Club, and the distance should suit him as well. »

Lambourn uncertain for the Qatar Prix Foy

Fourth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1) on his latest outing, Lambourn may not line up in the Qatar Prix Foy (Group 2).

Aidan O’Brien: « Lambourn is in good form, but his participation in the Prix Foy is not yet certain. »

Gstaad in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp

In the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, Aidan O’Brien will rely on Gstaad, runner-up to Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes (Group 1). To assist him in his task and ensure an even pace in the race, he supplemented Dorset on Thursday morning.

Aidan O’Brien: « We are very pleased with Gstaad since his latest run. He has progressed very well week after week since that race, so we are looking forward to seeing him back on the track.