The three-year-old colt Amazes Hot Favourite Minnie Hauk in Nail-biting Finale at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

In a remarkable performance of stamina and breeding, 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 in the famous green and red colors previously associated with his late breeder, who passed away in February. “He was bred for such races,” stated his owner’s daughter post-race. “On both sides, his father and mother are top-level champions at the distance, so he was destined to handle the mile-and-a-half and it’s clear he proved it on Sunday.”

A Remarkable Ascent for Daryz

Sunday’s race marked just the seventh start of the colt’s racing life, all during his third-year campaign, and his first at a mile-and-a-half. He is the seventh Arc winner for the racing and breeding operation founded nearly a century ago, a sequence that stretches back to 1948, and additionally the first winner in the distinctive silks since a perfect mare’s victory in the previous decade.

This is a amazing feeling and today was exactly what we planned to accomplish,” commented Francis-Henri Graffard. Daryz was very tough to close with the filly. Winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe today in this silks is simply unbelievable. In the past, it was just a dream, but now it has become reality to me.”

Main Contributors in the Victory

Jockey Mickaël Barzalona, known for taking the Epsom Derby as a 19-year-old in 2011, came from the pack to run down Aidan O’Brien’s female horse by a head. It marked a maiden success for each of Barzalona and Francis-Henri Graffard, capping an excellent year for the trainer. Previously in July, the trainer had took the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with another horse, which got prevented from lining up in the Arc.

Among the rare disappointments for the yard this season was Daryz’s below-par performance in August against another rival. However, the trainer feels that experience contributed to strengthen the colt for the autumn. “When I was arranging to run there, I told Princess Zahra, ‘we won’t going to win, but it’s necessary to toughen him up for the autumn,’” the trainer stated. “And I think, the loss at York played a part to succeed on Sunday because Daryz was, for the first time, fully focused and mature.”

Jockey’s Reflections and Future for the Second Place

Barzalona expressed immense satisfaction that his extended quest for an Arc winner has ended. We always rated him,” Barzalona said. “When we went to York it was a messy contest, but he returned a lot stronger. In his mind and in condition, he has progressed significantly and today he was very relaxed. He moved very well, he accelerated very well. All factors came together today to win.”

Minnie Hauk, unbeaten in her previous races this year, performed to her usual standard and was well ahead of the third-placed horse. It is likely that she will continue racing next season, with another attempt to the Paris track as a main goal of her agenda.

Christophe Soumillon, previously rode a past winner to victory in identical silks, for a moment seemed to have executed a decisive move entering the last stretch. “No excuses,” he admitted. “When I felt Barzalona coming in the last 200 meters, I kept a little back for the finish and we raced side by side, but Daryz has a powerful dash and thrives on the ground. Without him out, she could have been one of the most impressive Arc-winning female horses, but that’s racing.”

What’s Next and Closing Thoughts

There are no definite arrangements as yet for Sunday’s winner, but the final word on the 2025 Arc certainly goes to the owner, the third generation of the family to celebrate an Arc winner. “This is the pinnacle for a owner-breeder,” she said. “My dad was always so thrilled to win an Arc, and today I understand how he felt.”