Daryz Amazes Heavy Favourite the Filly in Nail-biting Finale at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

During a impressive display of stamina and pedigree, Daryz overtook the hot favorite Minnie Hauk in the final strides of the 104th Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. The victory came in the iconic red and green silks previously worn by his late breeder, who passed away in February. “He was bred for such races,” remarked his owner’s daughter post-race. From both parents, his father and mother were Group One winners over this trip, making him destined to handle 2,400m and it’s clear it showed today.”

An Impressive Ascent for the Young Colt

Sunday’s race marked just the seventh race of Daryz’s racing life, all during his three-year-old campaign, and the first time over 2,400 meters. He becomes the latest Arc winner for the thoroughbred stable founded in 1921, a sequence dating back to the late 1940s, and additionally the first winner in the green and red colors since an unbeaten champion’s success in 2008.

“It’s a great experience and Sunday was precisely what we aimed to accomplish,” said Francis-Henri Graffard. Daryz was very tough to close with Minnie Hauk. To win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe today in these colours is simply unbelievable. Before, it was just a dream, but today it has become reality for us.”

Key Players in the Victory

Rider Barzalona, who famously won the Epsom Derby as a 19-year-old over a decade ago, came from the pack to run down the Irish trainer’s female horse by a narrow margin. It marked a maiden success for both the jockey and trainer, capping an excellent season for the latter. Earlier in July, Graffard also took the prestigious Ascot race with a different runner, who was prevented from competing on Sunday.

One of very few disappointments for the yard this season was Daryz’s below-par run during summer against another rival. However, Graffard believes that experience contributed to strengthen the colt for the autumn. “When I was arranging to run there, I told to the owner, ‘we won’t going to win, but we need to toughen him up for the autumn,’” the trainer stated. In my view, the loss at York played a part to win today because my horse was, now, very professional and experienced.”

Jockey’s Reflections and Prospects for the Runner-Up

Barzalona expressed immense joy after his extended quest for an Arc victory has ended. We always rated him,” Barzalona said. After going to York it was a messy contest, but he came back a lot stronger. In his mind and in condition, he has improved a lot and today he was composed. He moved very well, he accelerated strongly. All factors came together in this race to win.”

The favorite filly, unbeaten in her four races this season, ran to her usual standard and finished a long way clear of the third-placed runner. It is likely that she will stay in training next season, with another attempt to the Paris track as a main goal of her plans.

Christophe Soumillon, who also rode a past winner to success in identical silks, for a moment appeared to have made a decisive move heading into the final furlong. “No excuses,” he admitted. “When I felt Barzalona approaching in the last 200 meters, I saved a little back for the end and we went side by side, but his horse has a powerful finish and he loves the ground. Without him out, the filly would have been among the most dominant Arc-winning fillies, but that is horse racing.”

Future Plans and Final Words

Currently no plans so far for Sunday’s winner, but the last comment on the this year’s race certainly belongs to the breeder, the latest representative of the family to celebrate an Arc champion. “This is the ultimate achievement for a owner-breeder,” she said. “My dad was constantly so thrilled to claim an Arc de Triomphe, and today I know how he felt.”