Daryz wins second successive Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Ridden by Mickael Barzalona and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Daryz gave Aga Khan Studs another Arc title by winning the Qatar-sponsored race at ParisLongchamp on Oct 4 for the second year running.¹²⁴

A decisive finish

Daryz had to find room before accelerating on the outside, according to The Japan Times. The Guardian reported that Barzalona and Daryz moved into the lead inside the final furlong. Bay City Roller, trained by George Scott and ridden by Oisin Murphy, finished second, while Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, was third.²³

Sky Sports reported that Bay City Roller and Daryz had also finished second and first respectively in the Prix Foy, their preparation race for the Arc. The outlet said Diamond Necklace came from stall 16, while The Japan Times reported that both placed horses had started from outside positions in the 16-runner field.³⁴

Barzalona said the contest had not developed as Daryz’s connections had anticipated, but credited the horse’s ability for the outcome. He also said Daryz had been the leading horse throughout the season. Graffard said the colt had recovered after losing position early and praised the jockey’s performance.¹²⁴

A rare repeat winner

The Guardian described Daryz as only the sixth colt to win consecutive Arcs and said no horse had won the race three times. Sky Sports identified Alleged, ridden by Lester Piggott and trained by Vincent O’Brien, as the previous colt to record successive victories, in 1977 and 1978. The Japan Times said Daryz was the first horse to win twice since Enable’s victories in 2017 and 2018.²³⁴

The BBC reported that retaining the previous year’s winner in training at four represented a gamble because leading colts are often retired at three for breeding. According to the broadcaster, that decision brought Aga Khan Studs more than £2.5 million in prize money, while Daryz had also collected two other Group One victories during the season.¹

The Guardian said the victory completed a championship-winning season for Graffard, whose prize-money total was more than double that of runner-up André Fabre. It was Graffard’s second Arc success, according to the BBC.¹²

Future plans

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who has led the Aga Khan Studs racing operation since her father’s death in 2025, said Daryz had become better with age, as his dam Daryakana had done. She described the victory as a major achievement for the team and said it brought thoughts of her father.²³

A third attempt appears unlikely. Asked about Daryz returning, Princess Zahra said, “No, I doubt it very much.” The Guardian reported that the colt was expected to join the Aga Khan Studs breeding operation, while quoting her as saying he had other work to do.²³

Bay City Roller could return for another attempt. Scott said, “Second in the Arc, but we need to go one better.” The Guardian reported that the horse was expected to target the race again the following year.²