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Amid a stunning display of endurance and breeding, Daryz overtook the strongly fancied Minnie Hauk in the final strides of the historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. The victory came wearing the iconic red and green silks once worn by the late breeder, who passed away earlier this year. “He was bred for this,” stated a family member after the race. From both parents, sire and dam are Group One champions over this trip, so he was destined to handle the mile-and-a-half and it’s clear it showed on Sunday.”

An Impressive Rise for the Young Colt

Sunday’s race marked just the seventh start of the colt’s racing life, all in his third-year season, and the first time over 2,400 meters. He becomes the latest victor of the Arc for the thoroughbred stable founded nearly a century ago, a sequence dating back to the late 1940s, and additionally the first triumph in the distinctive silks after an unbeaten champion’s victory back in 2008.

This is a great experience and today was exactly what we planned to accomplish,” said Francis-Henri Graffard. “My horse was very tough to catch up with the filly. To win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe today in this silks is just crazy. Before, it was only a fantasy, but today it’s happening for us.”

Main Contributors in the Triumph

Rider Mickaël Barzalona, who famously won the Epsom Derby as a 19-year-old in 2011, emerged from the pack to run down Aidan O’Brien’s female horse by a head. It marked a first Arc win for both Barzalona and Francis-Henri Graffard, capping an outstanding year for the latter. Previously in July, the trainer had won the prestigious Ascot race with another runner, who was prevented from lining up in the Arc.

Among the rare disappointments for the yard this season was the colt’s disappointing performance in August behind another rival. But, the trainer feels that experience contributed to strengthen the horse for the autumn. While planning to run at York, I said to the owner, ‘we won’t victorious, but we need to toughen him up for the autumn,’” Graffard explained. “And I think, the loss at York played a part to succeed today because Daryz was, for the first time, fully focused and mature.”

Rider’s Reflections and Future for the Second Place

The winning jockey shared great satisfaction that his extended wait for an Arc victory has ended. We always rated him,” he said. After going to that August race it was a messy contest, but he returned much improved. In his mind and in condition, he has progressed a lot and today he was composed. He moved smoothly, he accelerated very well. All factors combined today to secure victory.”

Minnie Hauk, unbeaten in her four starts this season, ran up to her best and finished well clear of the third runner. There is every chance that she will continue racing at four, with another attempt to Longchamp as a main goal of her agenda.

Christophe Soumillon, previously piloted Dalakhani to success in the same colours, for a moment seemed to have executed a decisive run entering the last stretch. No reasons,” Soumillon admitted. “When I felt the winner approaching in the last 200 meters, I kept a bit back for the end and we raced side by side, but his horse has a strong finish and thrives on the track conditions. Without him out, the filly could have been among the most dominant Arc-winning fillies, but that’s racing.”

What’s Next and Final Words

Currently no definite arrangements as yet for Daryz, but the final word on the this year’s race undoubtedly belongs to the breeder, the latest representative of her family to welcome back an Arc champion. It represents the ultimate achievement for a breeder,” Princess Zahra declared. “My dad was always so thrilled to claim an Arc, and today I understand how he felt.”