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In a impressive performance of stamina and pedigree, the promising colt caught the strongly fancied Minnie Hauk in the final strides of the 104th Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this weekend. This win came in the iconic red and green silks once worn by the late owner, who died earlier this year. He is bred for this,” remarked a family member post-race. From both parents, his father and mother are Group One winners over this trip, so he was born to get the mile-and-a-half and it’s clear it showed today.”

A Remarkable Rise for Daryz

The contest was just the seventh race of Daryz’s racing life, all in his third-year campaign, and his first over 2,400 meters. He becomes the seventh victor of the Arc for the racing and breeding operation founded in 1921, a sequence that stretches back to 1948, and also the first winner in the green and red silks after an unbeaten mare’s success in 2008.

“It’s a great feeling and Sunday was precisely what we planned to accomplish,” commented Francis-Henri Graffard. Daryz was very tough to close with Minnie Hauk. To win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now in these colours is simply unbelievable. In the past, it was just a dream, but now it has become reality for us.”

Key Players in the Triumph

Rider Mickaël Barzalona, who famously won the Epsom Derby as a 19-year-old over a decade ago, came from behind to run down the Irish trainer’s female horse by a narrow margin. It marked a maiden win for both Barzalona and Francis-Henri Graffard, capping an outstanding season for the trainer. Previously this summer, Graffard had took the prestigious Ascot race with another horse, who was prevented from lining up on Sunday.

Among the rare disappointments for the yard in the campaign was Daryz’s disappointing run during summer behind another rival. However, the trainer feels that experience helped strengthen the horse for the autumn. “When I was arranging to race there, I said Princess Zahra, ‘we won’t victorious, but we need to build his resilience for the autumn,’” the trainer stated. “And I think, the loss in that race played a part to succeed on Sunday because my horse was, for the first time, fully focused and experienced.”

Jockey’s Thoughts and Prospects for the Second Place

Barzalona expressed great satisfaction that his long wait for an Arc victory has ended. “We’ve always believed in him,” he remarked. After going to that August race it was a messy race, but he returned much improved. In his mind and physically, he has progressed significantly and today he was very relaxed. He travelled smoothly, he picked up very well. All factors combined in this race to secure victory.”

Minnie Hauk, unbeaten in her four races this season, performed up to her best and was well clear of the third-placed horse. It is every chance that she will stay in training next season, with another attempt to the Paris track as a main goal of her plans.

Christophe Soumillon, previously piloted Dalakhani to success in the same colours, for a moment seemed to have made a decisive run heading into the last stretch. No reasons,” he admitted. As I sensed Barzalona coming in the final furlong, I saved a little in reserve for the end and we went together, but his horse has a powerful dash and he loves the track conditions. Without him in the race, the filly could have been among the most dominant Arc-winning female horses, but that is horse racing.”

What’s Next and Closing Thoughts

There are no plans so far for Daryz, but the final word on the this year’s race certainly belongs to the breeder, the third generation of her family to celebrate an Arc champion. “This is the ultimate achievement for a owner-breeder,” she said. My father was always so thrilled to win an Arc de Triomphe, and now I understand how he felt.”