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In a stunning display of endurance and breeding, Daryz passed the strongly fancied Minnie Hauk in the closing strides of the historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this weekend. This win came wearing the famous red and green colors previously associated with his late breeder, who died in February. “He was born for such races,” remarked his owner’s daughter after the race. “On both sides, sire and dam are top-level champions 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 was only the seventh start of the colt’s career, all in his third-year season, and his first over 2,400 meters. He becomes the seventh victor of the Arc for the racing and breeding stable established in 1921, a tradition dating back to the late 1940s, and also the first winner in the green and red colors since a perfect champion’s success in 2008.

This is a great experience and Sunday was exactly what we aimed to do,” commented Francis-Henri Graffard. “My horse was very tough to catch up with the filly. To win the Arc now in this silks is just crazy. Before, it was just a dream, but now it has become reality for us.”

Key Players in the Victory

Rider Barzalona, known for won the Epsom Derby as a teenager over a decade ago, came from the pack to run down the Irish trainer’s filly by a head. This was a first Arc success for each of Barzalona and trainer, sealing an outstanding year for the trainer. Earlier in July, Graffard had took the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with another runner, who was barred from lining up on Sunday.

One of the rare setbacks for the stable in the campaign was Daryz’s disappointing performance in August against Ombudsman. However, the trainer believes that race contributed to toughen the horse for the autumn. “When I was arranging to run at York, I told Princess Zahra, ‘we are not going to win, but it’s necessary to build his resilience for the autumn,’” the trainer explained. In my view, the loss in that race played a part to win today because Daryz was, now, very professional and mature.”

Rider’s Reflections and Future for the Second Place

The winning jockey expressed great joy after his long wait for an Arc winner has ended. We always believed in him,” he remarked. “When we went to that August race it was a disorganized contest, but he returned a lot stronger. In his mind and physically, he has progressed a lot and today he was composed. He moved smoothly, he picked up strongly. Everything came together today to win.”

Minnie Hauk, unbeaten in her four starts this season, performed to her usual standard and finished well clear of the third-placed runner. There is every chance that she will continue racing next season, with another attempt to Longchamp as a main goal of her plans.

Christophe Soumillon, previously rode Dalakhani to success in the same colours, for a moment appeared to have made a decisive move heading into the final furlong. “No excuses,” he said. As I sensed Barzalona approaching in the last 200 meters, I saved a little in reserve for the end and we raced together, but Daryz has a strong dash and thrives on the track conditions. If you take him out, the filly would have been one of the most dominant Arc-winning female horses, but that’s racing.”

What’s Next and Closing Thoughts

There are no definite arrangements as yet for Daryz, but the last comment on the 2025 Arc undoubtedly belongs to the breeder, the latest representative of the family to welcome back an Arc winner. It represents the pinnacle for a breeder,” Princess Zahra declared. “My dad was always so thrilled to win an Arc de Triomphe, and today I understand how he felt.”