Daryz Surprises Hot Favorite the Filly in Nail-biting Finale at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Amid a impressive performance of endurance and pedigree, Daryz caught the strongly fancied the favorite filly in the closing moments of the historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. The victory came in the iconic green and red silks previously associated with his late owner, who died in February. He is bred for this,” remarked a family member after the race. From both parents, sire and dam were top-level winners at the distance, so he was born to handle the mile-and-a-half and I think it showed today.”

A Remarkable Rise for the Young Colt

Sunday’s contest marked only the seventh start of the colt’s racing life, all in his three-year-old campaign, and his first over 2,400 meters. He becomes the latest victor of the Arc for the thoroughbred stable established in 1921, a tradition that stretches back to 1948, and additionally the first winner in the green and red silks after an unbeaten mare’s success in 2008.

This is a great feeling and Sunday was precisely what we aimed to do,” said Francis-Henri Graffard. Daryz was extremely determined to catch up with the filly. To win the Arc now in this silks is just crazy. In the past, it was only a fantasy, but now it’s happening to me.”

Key Players in the Triumph

Rider Mickaël Barzalona, known for taking the Epsom Derby as a teenager in 2011, came from the pack to run down Aidan O’Brien’s female horse by a narrow margin. This was a maiden success for each of the jockey and Francis-Henri Graffard, sealing an excellent season for the trainer. Earlier in July, the trainer had won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with another horse, who was prevented from competing on Sunday.

Among very few disappointments for the stable in the campaign was the colt’s below-par performance in August against another rival. However, the trainer believes that experience helped strengthen the horse for this race. While planning to race there, I told to the owner, ‘we are not victorious, but we need to toughen him up for the autumn,’” Graffard explained. “And I think, the defeat at York helped us to win today because my horse was, for the first time, very professional and mature.”

Rider’s Thoughts and Prospects for the Runner-Up

The winning jockey shared immense satisfaction after his long wait for an Arc victory has ended. “We’ve always believed in him,” Barzalona said. After going to York it was a disorganized contest, but he came back a lot stronger. Mentally and physically, he has improved a lot and today he was very relaxed. He travelled smoothly, he picked up very well. All factors came together in this race to win.”

Minnie Hauk, undefeated in her four races this year, ran to her usual standard and finished well ahead of the third-placed horse. It is every chance that the filly may stay in training at four, with another attempt to Longchamp at the top of her agenda.

The jockey on the favorite, previously piloted a past winner to success in identical silks, briefly appeared to have executed a winning run entering the last stretch. “No excuses,” Soumillon said. “When I felt the winner coming in the final furlong, I saved a little in reserve for the end and we raced side by side, but his horse has a powerful finish and thrives on the track conditions. Without him in the race, she would have been among the most dominant Arc-winning fillies, but that’s racing.”

What’s Next and Final Words

There are no definite arrangements so far for Daryz, but the final word on the this year’s race undoubtedly belongs to the owner, the latest representative of her family to welcome back an Arc champion. “This is the ultimate achievement for a owner-breeder,” Princess Zahra declared. My father was constantly so thrilled to win an Arc de Triomphe, and now I understand how he felt.”