Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will be aimed at Royal Ascot following a flawless start to his three‑year‑old campaign, highlighted by a commanding victory in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has already shown the makings of a superstar, having won his first four starts as a two‑year‑old last season. Although he stumbled in the Juddmonte International at York and was subsequently beaten on his return to French soil, he rebounded spectacularly by capturing the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, confirming his status among the elite of his generation.
In the 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the overwhelming favourite. From the moment the gates opened, he travelled with authority, covering the early stages with powerful, effortless strides. The real question was when his regular rider, Mickaël Barzalona, would ask him to accelerate. The moment Barzalona gave the signal, Daryz responded instantly, shifting gears and pulling away to secure a decisive win.
Behind him, the patiently ridden Bright Picture proved the best of the remaining contenders, finishing second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure took third place. Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs – the owners of Daryz in France – spoke to the Press Association after the race.
She said, "We are obviously delighted with his performance in his seasonal debut – he was suitably impressive. We have always believed this horse is as good as he appears, and we expect him to improve further this year. He is a very special animal, which is why we kept him in training to demonstrate that his Arc triumph was not a one‑off performance.
We have always held him in high regard, and today he has confirmed that he is a genuine Group One horse." Following his Ganay triumph, the betting market trimmed Daryz’s odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1 for a repeat of his Arc victory in the autumn. However, his connections have a series of high‑profile targets before the season’s final showdown. The next race on their calendar is the Prix Aga Khan IV – formerly known as the Prix d'Ispahan – scheduled for next month over nine and a half furlongs. Routh explained that this race will serve as a stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June.
"We think we will drop him back even further in distance now, as the Aga Khan is a sharper race than today’s ten furlongs," she said. "We have no concerns about that because Daryz thrives on a strong, fast pace. He is happiest when he can stride out, and anyone who has ridden him says he can handle any tempo." Routh added that the upcoming Aga Khan race is an ideal preparation for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, arriving at the perfect point in the calendar to sharpen the horse for the Ascot challenge. "Our plan for the first half of the year was the Ganay, then the Aga Khan, and finally the Prince of Wales’s at Ascot.
We haven’t finalized the second half of the season yet, but that is the roadmap we have in mind for now," she noted. The decision to keep Daryz in training rather than retire him after his Arc win reflects the confidence the Aga Khan operation has in his long‑term potential. While many owners might have opted for a lucrative stud career, the team believes that further Group One successes will cement his legacy and enhance his value as a future sire.
Daryz’s pedigree, combined with his proven ability to dominate at both middle and classic distances, makes him a compelling prospect for breeders seeking a versatile, high‑class stallion. Looking ahead, the Royal Ascot meeting offers a perfect stage for Daryz to showcase his talent against the best middle‑distance horses in Europe. The Prince of Wales’s Stakes, run over a mile and a half, will test his stamina and adaptability after the shorter Aga Khan race. If he can replicate his turn of foot and tenacity, he could become the first horse in recent memory to win the Arc, the Ganay, and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in the same season – a feat that would place him among the greats of modern thoroughbred racing.
Fans and punters alike will be watching closely as the connections fine‑tune his campaign. With Graffard’s strategic planning, Barzalona’s skilled riding, and the Aga Khan Studs’ resources behind him, Daryz appears poised to continue his ascent. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether his dominant display at Longchamp was merely a flash of brilliance or the beginning of a sustained period of dominance across Europe’s premier racing festivals. Stay tuned for further updates, race previews, and expert analysis as Daryz’s journey toward Royal Ascot unfolds.