Daryz joins greats as two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero

The Aga Khan Studs’ homebred Daryz dismissed 15 challengers, and the burden of history itself, to capture the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) for the second time on Sunday.

Trained to the minute by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden with confidence by Mickael Barzalona, the 6-5 favorite ($4.40) delivered his superior turn of foot to sweep past Bay City Roller and Diamond Necklace. Friendly Soul held fourth, followed by the 5-1 second choice, Kalpana, in fifth.

Daryz became the first colt to double up in the Arc since Alleged (1977-78), although Sagace lost his 1985 title defense in the stewards’ room. In the 48 years since, only the fillies Treve (2013-14) and Enable (2017-18) had won the Arc twice.

Prior champions to duplicate their names on the honor roll are *Ksar (1921-22), Motrico (1930 and 1932), the filly Corrida (1936-37), Tantieme (1950-51), and the sublime *Ribot (1955-56), the paternal ancestor of Alleged.  

To join their illustrious company, Daryz had to deal with different conditions from his 2025 Arc victory. Last October, he arrived at ParisLongchamp as a talented sophomore on the upswing, albeit with something to prove both in terms of temperament and trip. Daryz blossomed on the big occasion, driving through the very soft going to deny Minnie Hauk in his first try at about 1 1/2 miles.

On Sunday, Daryz returned to the scene at the opposite end of his career trajectory. The mature four-year-old had left his hot-headed days behind. He’d also honed his talents dropping back down in trip earlier in the season, flaunting his acceleration in the Prix Ganay (G1) and shortening up even further in the Prix Aga Khan IV (Prix d’Ispahan) (G1). After an uncharacteristic third in the Prince of Wales’s (G1) at Royal Ascot, where his postrace bloodwork was off, Daryz was his usual self in his effortless Prix Foy (G2) prep.

But beyond Daryz’s own profile, the external circumstances were different, as the Arc shaped up as another kind of test this year. He was now the older horse conceding weight to the classic generation, especially the dangerous three-year-old fillies. The ground was quicker – not a liability for him, but an important point for the historical record.

Another significant variable from a year ago was the race shape. If the 2025 Arc required power in a stamina-sapping contest, Sunday’s renewal catered to other qualities. The pace was not that robust, and Daryz was anchored farther behind than expected, held up in 12th in the 16-horse field.

As Japan’s Meisho Tabaru led the way with Yutaka Take, Bay City Roller overcame post 15 to stalk in a well-placed second. Bay City Roller’s jockey, Oisin Murphy, channeled Frankie Dettori’s clever ride aboard 2015 Arc winner Golden Horn, staying far outside in the initial stages before tacking over. 

Diamond Necklace, whose chances were done no favors by post 16, put herself further in the hole by breaking a beat slow. But she benefited from a mitigation tactic by Christophe Soumillon, who let her find her feet and gradually nursed her to improve position along the way. 

Barzalona shrewdly camped Daryz in her slipstream, covering her moves until the decisive point in the straight. By that point, Bay City Roller had pounced on Meisho Tabaru and made his bid for glory, but Diamond Necklace was cruising into contention. 

Although Daryz was pocketed for a few strides, he was always going to have the gears when the seam appeared. As soon as Barzalona steered him into the clear, he quickened into the Arc record books. 

Daryz rapidly established a 1 1/4-length margin in a final time of 2:27.11. He zipped his final 600 meters (about three furlongs) in a field-best :33.32.

Bay City Roller outperformed his 37-1 odds, and his soft-ground stereotype, to hold second by a neck from the 13-1 Diamond Necklace. She would have had more market support if not for her draw.

Friendly Soul, who raced in a handy spot throughout tracking the leaders, kept on for a close fourth. Kalpana edged Maltese Cross for fifth.

Daryz’s younger stablemate, Varandir, fired the second-fastest closing sectional in :33.44 despite a checkered passage in seventh. Next came Thundering On; slow-starting Benvenuto Cellini, who posted the third-fastest finish in :33.65; Minnie Hauk, continuing her anticlimactic four-year-old season; Japan’s other runner, Admire Terra; Arrow Eagle, the final starter for retiring legend Jean-Claude Rouget; Chestnut Rocket; Meisho Tabaru; Saddadd; and Bright Light.

The vanquished are making plans. Bay City Roller is set to wheel back for the Oct. 17 Champion (G1) at Ascot, according to trainer George Scott. Aidan O’Brien is mulling the Breeders’ Cup for Diamond Necklace and Benvenuto Cellini, while Minnie Hauk is penciled in for the British Champions Fillies & Mares (G1). There she’ll renew rivalry with the Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana, the two-time defending champion. Friendly Soul, as a George Strawbridge homebred, is under Breeders’ Cup consideration. 

The Arc is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), but Daryz’s connections have made clear that he’s accomplished his mission on the racecourse. 

By all-time great Sea the Stars, who crowned his career in the 2009 Arc, and out of Group 1 winner and prolific producer Daryakana, Daryz will retire to stud with a record of 12-9-1-1. The only question is whether he will stand alongside his sire at the Aga Khan family’s Gilltown Stud in County Kildare, Ireland, or their Haras de Bonneval in Normandy, France. 

Daryz gave the historic racing and breeding operation a record-extending ninth win in the Arc. As a stallion, he will add his own genetic contribution to a century-long legacy.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of the late Aga Khan, appreciates that Daryz embodies her family’s commitment to the sport. 

“It is always very emotional on Arc Day,” Princess Zahra said. “It is difficult not to be swept up by the emotion, by the atmosphere, by the crowd reacting to the horses. Last year was difficult with the loss of my father. He would have been so proud of our victory last year…And this year again, I think he would have been proud. 

“At the top of the hill, I have to say that I was a little worried. But I have become used to Mickael’s riding style, and I know that he knows his horse. He rides out in the mornings, he knows his horses very well, and therefore knows what resources his horse has. I think we are right to trust him.”

Nemone Routh, racing manager of the Aga Khan Studs, likewise described the tension of watching the race unfold.

“Last year, I exploded with joy after the race,” Routh said. “This time, I was really stressed because this year we were the favorites and, honestly, we just could not see ourselves getting beaten, otherwise we would have been extremely disappointed...

“During the race, it was not that easy: he found himself quite a long way back, they did not go very fast, and he needed to get out. Miraculously, he managed to get to the outside and found a way through with Diamond Necklace. The moment he was able to fully express himself, I knew we were going to see the real Daryz and that we were going to win! He really is incredible…”

Graffard’s relief and admiration spilled over into visible emotion in the aftermath. He explained the weight of expectation upon him as the trainer responsible for presenting Daryz in tip-top condition.

“Already last year, I realized just how incredible this race is,” Graffard said. “There is so much emotion when the horses turn into the straight. This year, we came into the race with a completely different status, and it is true that there was a certain amount of pressure. I felt a lot of weight on my shoulders when the horses were going into the stalls. It is really difficult: our job is to get the horses to their peak on the big day, but a race is still subject to the uncertainties that can decide your fate. And everything went very well.

“But then, in a race, there is always an element of chance that decides the outcome. And everything went very well. When I saw that my horse had a good lead, that he was able to accelerate in the straight, I started to become more and more confident. And after that… he is simply an immense champion. It was magnificent to watch. 

“I hope that everyone who follows racing around the world appreciated that moment, because it was magnificent to see a champion like him win a race like that.

“I am fortunate to have a job that creates emotion,” Graffard summed up. “We experience it fully, and my whole family is here. I am so happy for the Aga Khan family and for their breeding operation. It is a remarkable breeding operation.”

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