Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gather on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting opportunities for an action‑packed racing weekend both in the UK and overseas. As the broadcast draws to a close, the trio turn their attention to Sunday’s Prix Ganay, a Group 1 contest staged at Longchamp in Paris at 3:25 p.m. local time. The race, which was won last season by the eventual Arc third‑placer Sosie, now features a six‑horse field contesting the ten‑furlong distance for top‑level glory.
Among the contenders is Daryz, a horse that peaked in the previous campaign during the French classic season. Trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, Daryz returns to the same venue where he impressed, and he will be opposed by the likes of Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and the mare Aventure, who also lines up for the contest. One of the panelists explains his reasoning: "I’m backing the favourite Daryz in the Prix Ganay on Sunday, even though he was beaten by my own selection in his last run of the previous season. Aventure is also in the field, but she suffered a disastrous run in the Arc last year.
She broke from a wide draw, was keen from the start and never found a rhythm, eventually sinking through the field like a stone dropped in water." He continues, "She was far from disgraceful behind Calandagan last season – a horse with rock‑solid form who happens to be the stablemate of the favourite. If Aventure is fit and eager this time, she could shed the weight she carried in the Arc and rebound to her best form today." The discussion then shifts to a broader preview of the racing calendar.
The hosts remind listeners that the latest news, interviews and feature stories are available on mobile devices, ensuring fans never miss a beat. They also touch on recent highlights, such as Bow Echo’s classic triumph in the 2000 Guineas for trainer Billy Loughnane at Newmarket, Night Raider’s victory in the Palace House Stakes for jockey Karl Burke, and Hollie Doyle’s blog post where she praises Paris Babe as her top pick for the 2000 Guineas day and offers a preview of the Royal Ascot Trials. Further agenda items include a preview of the French Derby showdown between Dolmalan and Montreal at Chantilly, a look ahead to the flat horses expected to dominate the 2026 season as projected by the Sky Sports Racing team, and a note on the administrative error that saw Gstaad reinstated into the Newmarket 2000 Guineas mix after an Aidan O'Brien mishap.
Returning to the Prix Ganay, another commentator adds his perspective on Daryz: "He had an excellent season last year, despite a disappointing run in the Juddmonte International, and he capped his campaign with an Arc victory that secured his future at stud. I expect him to dominate this field on his seasonal debut, especially with Mickael Barzalona riding him so well. Even if his fitness isn’t perfect, his class should see him through." A third voice reflects on the previous year’s Arc, noting that Daryz was the panel’s tip for the winner. "He’s making his seasonal reappearance today, and the mood from the Graffard camp on Sky Sports Racing has been rather cautious.
His primary target remains the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I suspect he may be a touch vulnerable in the Ganay. That said, I’ll treat it as a watching brief and see how the connections’ comments shape up." The panel wraps up by encouraging listeners to watch the full Weekend Winners show on the At The Races YouTube channel, where they can see the in‑depth analysis, hear the latest expert opinions and get a feel for the betting angles that could shape the weekend’s outcomes.
The discussion underscores the excitement surrounding the Prix Ganay, a race that not only offers a glimpse of the early‑season form of top European milers and middle‑distance horses but also sets the stage for the forthcoming Royal Ascot meetings, where many of the same contenders will likely clash again. With Daryz returning as the odds‑on favourite and Aventure seeking redemption after a troubled Arc run, the race promises a compelling narrative for both punters and racing enthusiasts alike.