Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for a Royal Ascot campaign following the colt’s flawless start to the season with a commanding win in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in Paris. The four‑year‑old, a son of the legendary Sea The Stars, has already shown the makings of a superstar after securing victories in his first four starts last year. Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was beaten in his subsequent home‑soil outing, Daryz rebounded spectacularly by capturing a thrilling Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, confirming his status among the elite.
In the extended 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the hot favourite, and he lived up to expectations. After travelling powerfully through the early stages, the race turned into a test of timing for jockey Mickael Barzalona.
When Barzalona finally asked for the move, Daryz responded instantly, accelerating into a higher gear and pulling away to clinch a decisive victory. Bright Picture, ridden patiently, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure finished third. Nemone Routh, the manager representing the Aga Khan Studs—owners of Daryz—in France, spoke to the Press Association after the race. She said, “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.” Routh added that the connections have always held Daryz in high regard and that today’s performance cemented his reputation as a true Group One contender.
The victory also saw Daryz’s odds shrink dramatically, with Coral cutting his price from 10‑1 to 5‑1 as bookmakers recognised his renewed form. While the ultimate goal remains a successful defense of his Arc title in the autumn, Graffard and his team have mapped out a series of high‑profile targets for the intervening months.
The next logical step appears to be the Prix Aga Khan IV (formerly the Prix d’Ispahan) next month, a race over nine and a half furlongs that will serve as a sharpener for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Routh explained the strategic shift in distance: “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.” She emphasized Daryz’s affinity for a brisk pace, noting that the colt thrives when he can settle into a strong rhythm.
“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 connections are confident that the shorter distance will not compromise the horse’s performance. “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,” Routh reiterated. She added that the upcoming race is an ideal preparation, falling at the perfect time to sharpen Daryz for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. “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,” she said.
The long‑term plan, as outlined by Graffard and his team, is straightforward: use the Ganay as the season opener, follow it with the Prix Aga Khan IV, and then target the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot. Beyond that, the second half of the year remains flexible, but the early‑season roadmap is clear.
“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,” Routh concluded. Daryz’s resurgence has generated excitement among racing fans and pundits alike.
After a season that began with a disappointing run in the Juddmonte International, the colt’s ability to bounce back and dominate at Longchamp suggests he is not only back to his best but may be improving. His pedigree, with Sea The Stars as his sire, provides a genetic foundation for stamina and versatility, qualities that have been evident in his performances over a range of distances. The upcoming Prix Aga Khan IV will test his adaptability at a slightly shorter trip, but the confidence expressed by his trainer and jockey indicates they expect a seamless transition.
A strong showing there would cement Daryz’s status as a top‑class middle‑distance performer and set him up as a formidable challenger for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a race that traditionally attracts the world’s best milers and middle‑distance horses. If Daryz can replicate the dominance he displayed at the Ganay, he could become a central figure in the European racing calendar, potentially adding another Group One victory to his resume before heading back to Longchamp in the autumn to defend his Arc crown.
The racing community will be watching closely, eager to see whether this talented colt can sustain his momentum and fulfill the high expectations placed upon him by his connections and supporters. In summary, Daryz’s flawless performance in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that includes a targeted step back in distance at the Prix Aga Khan IV, followed by a bid for glory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. With a supportive team, a proven pedigree, and a clear plan, the future looks bright for this exceptional horse.