Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that the four‑year‑old champion Daryz will be aimed at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting following a flawless start to his 2024 campaign in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars, Daryz entered the French Group One over 2,000 metres with the weight of expectation on his shoulders after a meteoric rise the previous season, and he delivered a performance that left his connections convinced that the Ascot challenge is well within reach. Last year Daryz burst onto the scene with an unbeaten run of four victories, each one confirming his status as a potential superstar. Those early wins included a dominant display in the Group One Prix du Jockey Club, and a thrilling triumph in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, where he turned the tables on a field of seasoned older horses to claim the most coveted prize on the European calendar.
However, his form dipped slightly thereafter. He was out‑finished in the Juddmonte International at York and then failed to hit the board on his next start back in France, prompting some observers to wonder whether his Arc victory had been a one‑off flash of brilliance. The answer arrived in spectacular fashion at Longchamp on 29 April.
Daryz broke from the stalls with a perfect, almost effortless start, immediately establishing a clear advantage. Mickaël Barzalona, his experienced French jockey, settled the colt just behind the early pace before unleashing his full acceleration at the three‑quarter‑mile mark. The four‑year‑old responded with a burst of speed that left his rivals scrambling. He surged ahead, extending his lead to several lengths and crossing the finish line with a time that underscored his superior class.
Bright Picture, a patient runner who had been positioned just off the pace, finished a comfortable second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure took third, confirming that Daryz had indeed reclaimed his top‑tier form. Nemone Routh, the manager for the Aga Khan Studs – the owners of Daryz in France – spoke to the Press Association after the race, expressing genuine delight. "We are absolutely thrilled with his debut performance for the season," she said. "He was impressive in every respect and showed the kind of turn of foot that marks a true champion." Routh added that the team had always believed Daryz possessed the makings of a great horse and that his recent displays suggested further improvement was still possible.
"We kept him in training because we wanted to prove that his Arc win was not a fluke," she explained. "He continues to develop, and we anticipate he will get even better as the season progresses." The win also prompted a sharp reduction in his betting odds. Coral cut Daryz's price from 10‑1 to 5‑1, reflecting the market's renewed confidence that he could defend his Arc title later in the autumn. Yet Graffard and his team are not looking solely at the Arc; they have plotted a strategic campaign that includes several key targets before the end‑of‑year showdown.
One of the immediate objectives 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, offers a slightly sharper test than the 10‑furlong Ganay and will serve as a perfect stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
"We intend to drop the distance a little for the Aga Khan IV," Routh confirmed. "The race is a touch shorter and will suit his speed. Daryz thrives when the pace is strong, and he enjoys being able to stretch his stride in a fast‑moving contest." The connections are confident that Daryz will handle the reduced trip without difficulty. "He loves a brisk tempo and is happiest when he can run freely," Routh noted.
"Any rider who has partnered him will tell you he can adapt to any pace and still produce a powerful finish." Looking ahead, the plan for the first half of the year is now crystal clear: the Prix Ganay, followed by the Prix Aga Khan IV, and then the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot. While the long‑term schedule for the latter half of the season remains under discussion, the team is focused on ensuring the horse peaks at the right moments. "Our roadmap is simple for now – we want to build his confidence and fitness through these three races," Graffard said.
"If everything goes as planned, he will arrive at Ascot in top condition and ready to take on the best milers and middle‑distance runners in the world." The Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a 10‑furlong Group One contest held on the third day of Royal Ascot, is widely regarded as one of the most significant middle‑distance tests of the British flat racing calendar. A win there would cement Daryz’s status as a versatile champion capable of excelling over a range of distances and surfaces. Moreover, a strong performance at Ascot would set him up perfectly for a final bid at the Arc in October, where he hopes to repeat his 2023 triumph.
In addition to the primary targets, the team is also keeping an eye on other high‑profile events such as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July and the International Stakes at York in August. Each of these races offers a valuable opportunity to gauge Daryz’s development against elite competition and to fine‑tune his preparation for the autumn classic. Beyond the racing calendar, Daryz’s training regime has been meticulously calibrated to maximize his athletic potential while safeguarding his health.
He follows a balanced program that combines long, steady gallops with targeted speed work, allowing him to maintain the stamina required for longer trips while preserving the explosive turn of foot that made him a dominant force in the Ganay. His diet is carefully managed, emphasizing high‑quality forage, premium concentrates, and supplements designed to support joint health and muscular recovery. The Aga Khan Studs have a storied history of breeding and developing world‑class thoroughbreds, and Daryz is the latest exemplar of their commitment to excellence.
His pedigree, featuring the legendary Sea The Stars as his sire, provides a genetic foundation for both speed and stamina. Coupled with a patient and progressive training approach, this lineage has produced a horse that not only possesses raw talent but also the mental fortitude to handle the pressures of top‑level competition. As the season unfolds, racing enthusiasts will be watching closely to see whether Daryz can translate his early-season brilliance into sustained success across multiple Group One events.
With a clear roadmap, a supportive team, and a horse that has already demonstrated the ability to dominate at the highest level, the odds are in his favor. In summary, Daryz’s flawless victory in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that includes a likely appearance in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, followed by a bid to defend his Arc crown later in the year.
The combination of his impressive pedigree, proven racecraft, and the strategic guidance of Graffard, Barzalona, and the Aga Khan Studs suggests that this remarkable colt may well become one of the defining thoroughbreds of the 2024 season.