🔗 Share this article

Amid a impressive display of stamina and breeding, Daryz overtook the strongly fancied Minnie Hauk in the final moments of the historic Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. This win came wearing the iconic red and green colors once worn by his late owner, who died earlier this year. “He was born for such races,” stated a family member post-race. From both parents, his father and mother were top-level winners over this trip, making him born to get the mile-and-a-half and it’s clear he proved it on Sunday.”

A Remarkable Ascent for Daryz

The contest marked only the seventh start of Daryz’s racing life, all during his third-year campaign, and the first time over 2,400 meters. He is the latest Arc winner for the racing and breeding stable established nearly a century ago, a tradition dating back to the late 1940s, and also the first triumph in the green and red colors since an unbeaten champion’s success back in the previous decade.

This is a amazing experience and today was exactly what we planned to do,” said the trainer. “My horse was extremely determined to catch up with Minnie Hauk. To win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now in these colours is simply unbelievable. Before, it was only a fantasy, but now it’s happening to me.”

Key Players in the Triumph

Jockey Barzalona, who famously taking the Epsom Derby as a teenager over a decade ago, emerged from behind to chase down Aidan O’Brien’s female horse by a head. This was a maiden success for each of the jockey and Francis-Henri Graffard, capping an outstanding season for the latter. Earlier this summer, Graffard had took the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with another horse, which got prevented from competing in the Arc.

Among the rare disappointments for the stable this season was the colt’s below-par performance during summer against Ombudsman. However, the trainer feels that race helped toughen the horse for the autumn. While planning to race at York, I told to the owner, ‘we are not victorious, but we need to build his resilience for the autumn,’” the trainer stated. In my view, the loss at York helped us to succeed today because my horse was, for the first time, fully focused and mature.”

Jockey’s Thoughts and Future for the Runner-Up

Barzalona expressed immense joy after his extended wait for an Arc victory has ended. We always believed in him,” he said. After going to that August race it was a disorganized race, but he returned a lot stronger. In his mind and physically, he has progressed a lot and on Sunday he was composed. He travelled smoothly, he picked up very well. Everything came together in this race to secure victory.”

The favorite filly, undefeated in her four races this season, ran up to her best and was well clear of the third horse. There is likely that the filly may continue racing next season, with a return to the Paris track at the top of her agenda.

The jockey on the favorite, previously piloted Dalakhani to success in the same colours, for a moment appeared to have executed a decisive run heading into the final furlong. “No excuses,” Soumillon said. “When I felt Barzalona approaching in the final furlong, I saved a bit back for the end and we went together, but his horse has a strong finish and thrives on the track conditions. Without him in the race, she could have been one of the most impressive Arc-winning female horses, but that’s racing.”

Future Plans and Closing Thoughts

Currently no plans as yet for Daryz, but the last comment on the 2025 Arc undoubtedly belongs to the owner, the third generation of her family to celebrate an Arc winner. It represents the ultimate achievement for a breeder,” she said. “My dad was always so over the moon to win an Arc, and now I understand how he felt.”