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In a remarkable performance of endurance and pedigree, Daryz passed the hot favorite the favorite filly in the closing strides of the historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. The victory came wearing the famous green and red silks once associated with his late breeder, who died in February. “He was born for such races,” stated his owner’s daughter post-race. From both parents, sire and dam are top-level champions over this trip, making him born to get the mile-and-a-half and I think he proved it today.”

A Remarkable Ascent for Daryz

The contest was only the seventh start of the colt’s racing life, all in his third-year season, and the first time over 2,400 meters. He is the seventh Arc winner for the racing and breeding stable founded nearly a century ago, a sequence that stretches back to the late 1940s, and additionally the first triumph in the green and red colors after an unbeaten champion’s success back in 2008.

This is a amazing experience and today was exactly what we aimed to do,” commented the trainer. Daryz was extremely determined to close with the filly. Winning the Arc today in these colours is simply unbelievable. In the past, it was only a fantasy, but now it’s happening to me.”

Main Contributors in the Triumph

Rider Barzalona, known for won the Derby as a teenager in 2011, emerged from the pack to run down the Irish trainer’s filly by a head. This was a maiden success for both Barzalona and trainer, sealing an excellent year for the trainer. Earlier this summer, the trainer also took the prestigious Ascot race with another horse, which got prevented from lining up on Sunday.

One of very few disappointments for the stable in the campaign was Daryz’s disappointing run during summer against another rival. However, the trainer believes that experience contributed to strengthen the horse for the autumn. “When I was arranging to run at York, I told to the owner, ‘we are not going to win, but we need to toughen him up for the autumn,’” Graffard stated. “And I think, the loss at York played a part to win on Sunday because Daryz was, for the first time, very professional and experienced.”

Jockey’s Reflections and Prospects for the Second Place

The winning jockey expressed great joy after his long quest for an Arc winner has ended. We always rated him,” he remarked. “When we went to York it was a messy race, but he came back much improved. In his mind and in condition, he has improved significantly and today he was very relaxed. He travelled very well, he accelerated very well. Everything combined today to win.”

The favorite filly, unbeaten in her previous races this year, ran to her usual standard and was a long way ahead of the third horse. It is every chance that the filly may stay in training next season, with a return to the Paris track at the top of her plans.

The jockey on the favorite, previously piloted Dalakhani to victory in identical silks, briefly seemed to have made a decisive run heading into the final furlong. No reasons,” he said. “When I felt the winner coming in the last 200 meters, I saved a little back for the finish and we raced together, but Daryz has a strong dash and he loves the ground. Without him in the race, the filly would have been among the most dominant Arc-winning fillies, but that is horse racing.”

What’s Next and Final Words

There are no definite arrangements as yet for Daryz, but the last comment on the 2025 Arc certainly belongs to the owner, the latest representative of her family to celebrate an Arc champion. It represents the pinnacle for a breeder,” she declared. My father was always so over the moon to win an Arc de Triomphe, and now I know how he felt.”