Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for a Royal Ascot campaign following a flawless start to his season at the Prix Ganay on Paris’s Longchamp track. The four‑year‑old, a son of the legendary Sea The Stars, had already hinted at superstar potential by winning his first four starts as a three‑year‑old.
Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was subsequently beaten on his home return, he rebounded spectacularly in October, delivering a thrilling victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In the extended 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as a hot favourite, and he lived up to expectations. After traveling powerfully through the early stages, the race hinged on when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask for a decisive move. The moment Barzalona pressed forward, the four‑year‑old responded instantly, shifting gears with effortless speed to secure a clear win.
Bright Picture, ridden patiently, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure rounded out the placings in third. Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs – Daryz’s owners in France – spoke to the Press Association after the race: "We’re obviously very happy with that for his seasonal debut – he was suitably impressive.
We always hoped this was as good as he is and he will probably come on for that race – he’s still got a bit more improvement to come I think this year. He’s a very special horse and that’s why we kept him in training as we wanted to prove to everyone his win in the Arc wasn’t a flash in the pan. We have always held him in high regard and I think today he’s proved he is a proper Group One horse." Following the victory, the betting market cut Daryz’s odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1 for a successful defense of his Arc title in the autumn.
However, his connections have already identified a series of high‑profile targets leading up to that objective. The next logical step appears to be the Prix Aga Khan IV – formerly known as the Prix d’Ispahan – scheduled for next month. That race, run over nine and a half furlongs, offers a slightly sharper trip than the Ganay and should serve as an ideal prep for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June.
Routh elaborated on the plan: "I think we’re going to drop him back even further (in trip) now as he’s going to go for the Prix Aga Khan IV, which is over nine and a half furlongs, so it’s even a bit sharper than today. We would not have any fear of that as he’s a horse who loves a fast pace in a race – he’s actually at his happiest when he can stride out and anyone that rides him says he gives you a feeling that he can follow any pace." The team believes that a shorter distance will not only suit Daryz’s natural speed but also sharpen his finishing kick ahead of the mid‑season contest at Ascot.
"We hope he’ll be fine dropping back even further and it’s just a very good prep as it falls at the right time for getting him to the Prince of Wales’s Stakes," Routh added. "The idea that we had in our minds was the Ganay today, the Prix Aga Khan IV and then the Prince of Wales’s at Ascot. We haven’t quite figured out what we’re doing for the second half of the year, but that’s the plan for the first half of the year." Daryz’s resurgence after a disappointing run at York underscores his resilience and the astute management of the Aga Khan operation. His Arc triumph last October was a testament to his class, and the recent Ganay win suggests he is returning to peak form.
The combination of a powerful turn of foot, a willingness to race prominently, and a calm demeanor under pressure makes him a compelling contender for any top‑level middle‑distance contest. Looking ahead, the connections will likely evaluate his performance in the Aga Khan IV before finalising the Ascot campaign. If he confirms his ability to handle a faster pace over a shorter trip, he could be positioned as a serious threat to the established middle‑distance stars who traditionally target the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Moreover, a strong showing at Ascot would set the stage for a potential repeat of his Arc victory later in the season, cementing his status as one of the era’s premier middle‑distance horses. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as Daryz embarks on this carefully plotted path, which balances the need for progressive challenges with the ambition of defending his most prestigious title. The upcoming months promise a series of exciting races that could further elevate his reputation and add new chapters to the legacy of a horse already regarded as a true Group One talent.