Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will be aimed at Royal Ascot following the colt’s flawless start to the season with a commanding win in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The four‑year‑old, a son of the legendary Sea The Stars, had already hinted at superstar potential after securing victory in each of his first four starts as a three‑year‑old last year. Although he fell short of expectations in the Juddmonte International at York and was subsequently beaten on his next home‑soil outing, Daryz rebounded spectacularly by delivering a thrilling performance in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, where he clinched the title in a race that will be remembered for years to come. Going into the extended 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as one of the clear favourites, and he lived up to the hype.
From the moment the gates opened he travelled with authority, covering the early stages with powerful, effortless strides. The only question for his jockey, Mickaël Barzalona, was when to ask for the final effort. As soon as Barzalona gave the signal, the colt responded instantly, accelerating through the field and pulling away to secure a decisive victory.
The win was a showcase of his class and versatility, confirming that his earlier successes were far from a one‑off. Bright Picture, who had been ridden patiently throughout the race, managed to finish second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure took third place.
Following the race, Nemone Routh, the manager for the Aga Khan Studs—Daryz’s owners in France—spoke to the Press Association, expressing her delight. \"We’re obviously very happy with that for his seasonal debut – he was suitably impressive,\" Routh said. \"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.\" Routh emphasized the significance of the Arc win, noting that the decision to keep Daryz in training was driven by a desire to prove that his triumph in the Arc was not merely a flash in the pan.
\"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,\" she added. \"We have always held him in high regard and I think today he’s proved he is a proper Group One horse.\" Betting markets quickly reflected the renewed confidence in the colt, with Coral cutting his odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1 as pundits began to view him as a strong candidate to defend his Arc title later in the autumn. However, Graffard and his team have a clear roadmap for the next few months. The immediate target after the Ganay is the Prix Aga Khan IV—formerly known as the Prix d'Ispahan—scheduled for next month.
This race, run over nine and a half furlongs, will serve as a stepping‑stone toward 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 was confident that the colt would handle the shorter trip with ease.
\"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 noted. The connections view the Aga Khan IV as an ideal preparation for Ascot, arriving at a time that aligns perfectly with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes schedule. \"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 said. \"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.\" The broader picture for Daryz is one of sustained excellence at the highest level of flat racing. His pedigree, combined with the careful management by the Aga Khan Studs, suggests a long and fruitful career ahead. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he transitions from his early‑season dominance at Longchamp to the historic turf of Ascot, where the Prince of Wales’s Stakes offers a prestigious platform to further cement his reputation as one of the leading middle‑distance performers of his generation. In addition to the immediate targets, the team remains open to other top‑class opportunities later in the season, potentially including another run in the Arc or a venture into other Group One contests across Europe.
For now, the focus remains on sharpening his speed and stamina in the upcoming French races, ensuring that when the Royal Ascot meeting arrives, Daryz will be primed to deliver a performance that could well add another chapter to his already impressive résumé.