Daryz primed for historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe double

“Daryz is in very good physical condition,” said Francis-Henri Graffard, the reigning Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer, with Daryz also being the reigning Arc hero.

“For the Arc you really need to be at 100%, and since the Prix Foy there was the recovery phase,” with Daryz being the $2.75 hot favourite with Australia-wide wagering agencies.

And with Daryz to start from barrier 5 of the 16 runners, he will again be ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and is the star of Francis Graffard’s 228-horse Chantilly stable, the largest stable in France.

Having taken out last year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as a three-year-old, with Mickael coming off the pace at the 300-metre mark to score by a head, it was a consecutive Arc victory for the Aga Khan Studs.

Now aged four, Daryz has confirmed his form for this €5 million Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, most notably winning the Prix Ganay, followed by the newly named Prix de Aga Khan – the Prix d’Ispahan.

Returning to ParisLongchamp with victory in the Prix Foy over 2400m, an Arc Races Series event, he met his only defeat of the season when third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“At the Aga Khan Studs, we have never had a horse attempt the Arc double,” said Nemone Routh, the Aga Khan Studs Racing Manager in France, “so this is a new challenge for us.”

“All the horses who ran in and won the Arc for us were not kept in training the following year, but today, just a few days before the race, we have a horse who has not disappointed this year.”

“Very competitive, this double is an enormous challenge, very difficult, and curiously not many colts or horses have done it as it has been 50 years since a male horse completed the double.”

“The fillies and mares have found it easier in recent times. Obviously, we have confidence in him and we are delighted to be here. He has all the qualities required to complete this double.”

“Last year he was a horse who progressed throughout the season, and reached maturity on Arc Day. We have a completely fresh horse, a big horse who was born quite late in the year.”

“He had finally reached the level we expected of him, so why send him to stud straight away, as now everyone says you cannot pigeonhole him as a 2,400-metre horse on soft ground.”

“He has won Group 1 races over 1,800 metres by several lengths on fast ground. We have already spoken enough about the disappointment at Ascot to know he didn’t run his race that day.”

And will Daryz be Haras de Bonneval-bound for the 2027 breeding season, with the Aga Khan home-bred being by his Arc-winning sire Sea The Stars, from the Stud’s Group 1 family of Daryakana?

In fact, the Aga Khan green and red epaulette silks have enjoyed great success in the race, with a record eight victories already to their name, first with Migoli in 1948 for HH Aga Khan III.

And on Sunday, Francis Graffard is doubly represented in this principal €5 million Group 1 with two Aga Khan Studs representatives, firstly with the 2025 winner Daryz, as well as three-year-old colt Varandir.

Coming off victory in the Prix Niel over 2400m on Arc Races Series Day, he was previously fourth to Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix de Paris, having won the Prix Hocquart in his four race wins.

Priced as a $13 chance, and with Clement Lecoeuvre jumping from gate 4, it’s Francis Graffard saying, “I went into the Prix Niel with greater confidence knowing that he had really improved.”

“He confirmed that in the Niel, which he won very well. In conclusion, he is a three-year-old who has just won one of the trials for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and who is still improving.”

“He fully deserves to take his chance and to be competitive. You mentioned that he was very immature, mentally and physically at the beginning of the year – I think he is better now, he has really progressed.”