Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for a Royal Ascot campaign following the impressive way the son of Sea The Stars opened his three‑year‑old season with a flawless victory in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The four‑year‑old had already hinted at superstar potential after winning his first four starts as a three‑year‑old, but his form dipped in the Juddmonte International at York and again in his subsequent home‑soil outing.
He rebounded spectacularly in October, delivering a thrilling performance to capture the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, confirming his status as a top‑class middle‑distance performer. In the 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the hot favourite and lived up to expectations.
He travelled powerfully from the start, and once Mickael Barzalona asked for his effort, the horse responded instantly, shifting gears and pulling away to secure a decisive win. Bright Picture, ridden patiently, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure finished third. 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 very pleased with his seasonal debut; he was suitably impressive. We have always believed this horse is as good as he looks, and we expect him to improve further this year. He is a very special horse, which is why we kept him in training to prove that his Arc victory was not a one‑off performance.
We have always held him in high regard, and today he has shown he is a genuine Group One horse." Following the Ganay, the connections have a clear roadmap for the rest of the year. While the odds on Daryz were cut from 10‑1 to 5‑1 for a potential repeat of his Arc triumph in the autumn, the team is looking at several other elite targets before that.
The next logical step appears to be next month’s Prix Aga Khan IV – previously known as the Prix d'Ispahan – a race over nine and a half furlongs that will serve as a sharp stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Routh explained the strategic thinking: "We intend to drop him back in distance for the Prix Aga Khan IV, which is a touch shorter than today’s race, so it will be a bit sharper. We have no concerns because Daryz thrives on a strong pace; he is happiest when he can stride freely, and every jockey who has ridden him says he can handle any tempo.
We hope the shorter trip will suit him well and provide an ideal preparation for the Prince of Wales's Stakes, which falls at the perfect time to sharpen him for Ascot. Our plan for the first half of the year is the Ganay, then the Prix Aga Khan IV, 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 for now." The decision to keep Daryz in training rather than retiring him after his Arc win reflects the confidence of his owners and trainer in his ability to compete at the highest level repeatedly.
By targeting a series of top‑class middle‑distance contests, they aim to cement his reputation as a versatile, durable performer capable of handling both the 10‑furlong distance of the Ganay and the slightly shorter, speed‑testing trips that will come later in the season. Royal Ascot, with its prestigious Prince of Wales's Stakes, offers a perfect platform for Daryz to showcase his blend of stamina and turn of foot. The race, run over a mile and a half, traditionally attracts the best middle‑distance horses from Europe and beyond.
If Daryz can replicate the cruising speed and tactical versatility he displayed at Longchamp, he will be a formidable contender against the likes of other Group One winners aiming for the same prize. Beyond the immediate targets, the connections are also mindful of the broader campaign. A successful run at Ascot could open doors to further international engagements later in the year, potentially including a repeat attempt at the Arc or other major contests such as the Breeders' Cup Turf.
For now, the focus remains on fine‑tuning his fitness, sharpening his racing instincts, and ensuring he remains healthy and motivated. In summary, Daryz’s dominant performance in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that will see him step down in distance for the Prix Aga Khan IV before tackling the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. With a trainer, jockey, and ownership group fully behind him, the horse appears poised to add more Group One victories to his résumé and confirm that his Arc triumph was far more than a flash in the pan.