Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that his champion colt Daryz will be aimed at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting after the horse delivered a flawless start to his three‑year‑old campaign with a convincing victory in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in Paris. The performance confirmed the high expectations that have surrounded Daryz since he burst onto the scene as a three‑year‑old, winning his first four starts in 2023 and then capping the year with a dramatic win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October. Daryz, a son of the legendary Sea The Stars, has already shown that he possesses the class and stamina required to compete at the very highest level. After his early dominance, he suffered a disappointing run in the Juddmonte International at York and was subsequently beaten on his next start back on French soil.
Nevertheless, he rebounded spectacularly in the Arc, delivering a thrilling finish that secured his place among the elite of European middle‑distance horses. In the recent Prix Ganay, a 10‑furlong Group One contest that often serves as a key early‑season test for older horses, Daryz was installed as the hot favourite. From the start, he travelled powerfully, covering the ground with an effortless stride. The only question for observers was when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask him to accelerate.
The moment the rider gave the signal, Daryz responded instantly, shifting gears and pulling away from the field to claim a decisive victory. The win was a clear statement of intent and demonstrated that the horse remains in peak condition.
The runner‑up, Bright Picture, was the best of the other contenders, finishing a solid second after a patient ride. The third‑place finisher was the Group One‑winning mare Aventure, who also displayed a commendable effort. After the race, Nemone Routh, the manager representing the Aga Khan Studs – Daryz’s owners in France – spoke to the Press Association, expressing her satisfaction with the horse’s performance. 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. We have always held him in high regard and I think today he's proved he is a proper Group One horse." The betting market reacted swiftly to the impressive display, with Coral cutting Daryz's odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1, reflecting the confidence that he will defend his Arc title in the autumn. However, the connections have a clear plan for the intervening months, targeting several high‑profile races before the season concludes.
The next major target is the Prix Aga Khan IV – previously known as the Prix d'Ispahan – scheduled for next month. This race, run over nine and a half furlongs, will serve as a sharp, speed‑testing stepping‑stone towards the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot in June. Routh explained the strategic thinking behind the campaign, stating, "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 trainer’s confidence in Daryz’s versatility is evident.
He thrives when the early fractions are strong, and his ability to maintain a high cruising speed makes him a formidable opponent in races that demand both stamina and tactical speed. This characteristic is precisely what makes the Prince of Wales's Stakes an ideal target; the race is run over ten furlongs at Ascot, a course that rewards horses capable of quick acceleration and sustained endurance. Looking ahead, the team has outlined a clear roadmap: the Ganay victory, followed by the Prix Aga Khan IV, and then the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
While the second half of the year’s program remains under discussion, the early‑season plan is firmly in place. Routh added, "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. 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 pedigree, race record, and the confidence expressed by his connections all point to a horse that is not only capable of repeating his Arc triumph but also of adding further Group One victories to his résumé.
His ability to adapt to different distances, his preference for a strong pace, and his proven turn of foot make him a compelling prospect for any major middle‑distance contest. As the racing calendar progresses, enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how Daryz handles the step‑down in trip to the Aga Khan IV and whether he can maintain his dominance when he returns to the ten‑furlong distance at Ascot. For fans and punters alike, Daryz represents an exciting storyline: a horse that has already proven his mettle on the biggest stage, now embarking on a carefully plotted campaign that could see him cement his status as one of the leading middle‑distance performers of his generation.
The upcoming races will not only test his versatility but also provide a clear indication of how far he can develop before the autumn’s Arc showdown, where he will aim to repeat his historic victory. Stay tuned for further updates, race previews, and expert analysis as Daryz’s season unfolds, and be sure to follow the latest horse racing news, interviews, and features on Sky Sports Racing and other platforms for real‑time insights into this remarkable colt’s journey.