Daryz Secures Historic Second Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The four-year-old colt demonstrated a powerful performance to win the prestigious race for the second consecutive year, solidifying his status among racing legends.
Daryz delivered a commanding performance in Paris to win his second Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, cementing his legacy in flat racing history. Only three colts have successfully defended their Arc title since World War II, with the last to achieve this feat being Alleged in 1978.
Under jockey Mickael Barzalona, the four-year-old, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, utilized his signature burst of speed in the Longchamp straight to overtake Bay City Roller, winning by a length and a quarter. This victory marked Daryz's eighth win from nine starts at the Paris venue. His racing career will now transition to a stud career, ending hopes of a third consecutive win next autumn.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan, owner of Daryz and head of the Aga Khan Studs, expressed confidence during the race. "He has such a will to win, and such speed, I was pretty relaxed," she stated, reflecting on the emotional significance of the win following her father's passing.
Graffard acknowledged feeling significant pressure leading up to the race. "I really felt the pressure for the last fortnight," he admitted. "I tried to remain zen but it is difficult to do so and the weight on my shoulders was enormous when he went into the stalls before the race. But he is such a great champion that once he got a clear run I was more relaxed."
Graffard added that while he would personally like to attempt a third win, he believes it's unlikely given the horse's established greatness. "I don't think he has to prove anything else, it has been beautiful to watch and it was beautiful to watch a champion like him win a race like that."
For trainer George Scott of Bay City Roller, who finished second, the outcome was a mix of pride and disappointment. "We came up second-best to an outstanding racehorse. Congratulations to the connections. I’m proud of our horse," Scott said. Bay City Roller is now expected to compete in the Champion Stakes.
Other notable performances included Friendly Soul, Kalpana, and Maltese Cross finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. In other races on the card, Miss Yechance, ridden by Jack Nicholls and trained by Karl Burke, won the Prix de l'Abbaye, while Miss Scott, ridden by Christophe Soumillon and trained by John & Thady Gosden, secured victory in the Prix de l'Opera.