“Daryz is a colt we’ve always held in high regard,” said trainer Francis-Henri Graffard with the ‘green’ of the Aga Khan Studs looking for a seventh Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“We believed he was the best 3yo colt among the Aga Khan Studs’ horses. But he’s still mentally tender and physically very imposing, with his turn of foot one of his main assets.”
“To give him experience, I decided to send him to York for the Juddmonte International Stakes, but the race was compromised by a pacemaker who went off too fast – I was disappointed.”
Priced at $17 with Australian wagering agents, Daryz will again be the mount of Mickael Barzalona on 56.5kg and will jump from Gate 2 of 18 runners, with Mickael looking for his first Arc win.
“We then chose to run him in the Prix du Prince d’Orange, where he ran very well, finishing a close second to the Japanese horse Croix du Nord,” Francis-Henri Graffard stated.
“Now the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a legitimate chance, as his pedigree suggests that he’ll handle the 2,400-meter distance, which he will be attempting for the first time.”
“A soft track won’t be an issue for him either, as in June he beat Bay City Roller in the Prix Eugène Adam, who later finished second in the Qatar Prix Niel which is a strong form line.”
‘A product of two stars – champion racehorse and leading sire Sea The Stars and Group 1 winner Daryakana, who is dam of six Stakes winners and has Dariyan amongst her half-siblings.’
Priced as the $4.50 favourite, the Coolmore-owned 3yo filly Minnie Hauk will be ridden by Christopher Soumillon on 55kg, while Maxime Guy is on 4yo filly Aventure at $5.50 with 58kg.
And as France Galop says ‘the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of 2400m is a true world championship, and every horse at the start deserves respect,’ it’s Minnie Hauk from Gate 1 and Aventure from Gate 12.
“We have always thought a lot of Minnie Hauk,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien. “She’s very straightforward, very uncomplicated, easy to ride and happy to go forward, and travels strongly.”
“With plenty of stamina, at Epsom, there was a big field and she coped very well. She has early speed and usually finds a good position quite easily, so yes, I hope she will handle it well.”
“As a very expensive yearling, €1.85m at Goffs, we gave her time, finishing second in her maiden behind Wemightakedlongway, who was then beaten by her in the Irish Oaks.”
“She is progressing slowly but surely, without interruption with her last piece of work was excellent. Christophe Soumillon sat on her at the weekend and he seemed very happy with her as well.”
Aventure was runner-up last year, and her win in the Prix Vermeille – her first Group 1 – was a victory the stable had been waiting for,” said trainer Christophe Ferland.
“She recovered very well from her last race, so I haven’t encountered any issues in her preparation for the Arc, which allows me to approach the race calmly, as she races on soft to heavy.”
“I don’t pay attention to the fact that she’s the favourite. I’m going through it all serenely, without the pressure I felt last year in the ten days leading up to the 2024 Arc.”
“We had many discussions about whether to run her in the Arc or the Prix de l’Opéra, which seemed like an easier option. I had the green light from her owners to enter the Arc with our motto ‘We win together, we lose together!’”
