The field is set for Sunday’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, with 18 confirmed runners and a draw that has already sparked plenty of talking points

Minnie Hauk will break from post 1, while Japanese runner Croix du Nord drew the far outside in 17; strong names for “the race"

Minnie Hauk, the leading contender for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe / YORK

PARÍS, Francia (Special for Turf Diario).- A field of 18 has been set for Sunday’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, Europe’s greatest race and one of the most coveted prizes in the world, with the post position draw producing both winners and losers.

Among the latter fell Japan’s long-standing dream of Arc glory. Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black), the nation’s main hope and hero of the G1 Tokyo Yushun, was dealt a crushing blow when he drew stall 17, a gate that has proven historically unfavorable. Adding to the disappointment, stablemate Byzantine Dream (Epiphaneia), who captured the G2 Prix Foy, landed wide in 15. There was some consolation when Alohi Alii (Duramente), victorious in the G2 Guillaume d’Ornano, came away with the ever-valuable inside slot in stall 4.

The Aidan O’Brien team will also be central to the outcome. Los Angeles (Camelot), winner of the G1 Irish Derby, breaks from 14, while Minnie Hauk (Frankel), who has swept the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, drew the rail in stall 1—the same position once occupied by the unforgettable Zarkava (Zamindar). The Coolmore filly is expected to start as the leading choice, though she will face strong opposition, notably from the French mare Aventure(Sea The Stars), runner-up in last year’s Arc and fresh off her victory in the G1 Prix Vermeille for Wertheimer et Frère and Christophe Ferland, who drew 12.

The home team, as usual, looks formidable. The Wertheimers also send out Sosie (Sea The Stars) from stall 3, while André Fabre, seeking a record-extending ninth Arc, saddles Cualificar (Lope de Vega), winner of the G2 Prix Niel, from gate 8. Francis-Henri Graffard relies on a three-pronged attack with Daryz (Sea The Stars, 2), Gezora (Almanzor, 13) and Quisisana (Le Havre, 7), while Jean-Claude Rouget looks to the highly progressive pair Leffard (Le Havre, 6), hero of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, and Arrow Eagle (Gleneagles, 16).

The Irish challenge is bolstered by Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot, 9) and White Birch (Ulysses, 11), with the British contingent represented by Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman, 5), Estrange (Night of Thunder, 18) and Kalpana (Study of Man, 10). The latter, carrying the famous Juddmonte silks, will wear headgear for the first time in search of her first win of the season.

“She’s matured, but had become a bit lazy in her work,” said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager. “The addition of the headgear has seemed to sharpen her up, and we’re hopeful it makes a difference on Sunday.”

With proven champions, rising stars and Japan’s eternal quest for a first Arc triumph, the stage is set for another glittering edition at ParisLongchamp, where racing’s most coveted crown awaits.