Francis‑Henri Graffard has confirmed that Daryz will be aimed at Royal Ascot following a flawless start to his four‑year‑old campaign with a decisive victory in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has already shown the makings of a superstar, having captured his first four starts as a three‑year‑old last season. Although his form dipped in the Juddmonte International at York and he was beaten on his subsequent home‑soil outing, Daryz rebounded spectacularly by winning the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, silencing any doubts about his class. At Longchamp, Daryz entered the 10‑furlong Group One as a clear favourite.
He travelled powerfully through the early stages, and the only question was when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask for his effort. The moment Barzalona gave the command, the four‑year‑old responded instantly, accelerating through the gears and pulling away to claim a convincing win. Bright Picture, who had been ridden patiently, finished a comfortable second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure took third place.
Nemone Routh, the manager for the Aga Khan Studs – Daryz’s owners 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 always believed he could be as good as he is, and he will probably improve further this year. He is a very special horse, which is why we kept him in training to prove 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." The win has shifted Daryz’s odds for a repeat Arc victory from 10‑1 to 5‑1, but his connections have a busy schedule ahead. Their immediate target 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 Ascot in June. Routh explained, "We intend to drop him back in distance for the Aga Khan IV, which is even sharper than today’s race.
We have no concerns because he thrives on a strong pace; he is happiest when he can stride freely, and every rider who has been on him says he can handle any tempo." The team believes the Aga Khan IV will be an ideal preparation, falling at the perfect time to fine‑tune Daryz for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. "Our plan for the first half of the year is the Ganay, then the Aga Khan IV, and finally the Prince of Wales’s at Ascot. We haven’t finalised the second half of the season yet, but that is our roadmap so far," Routh added.
Daryz’s pedigree and racing record make him a compelling prospect for Royal Ascot. As a son of Sea The Stars, he inherits a blend of stamina and turn of foot that has proven successful at the highest level. His Arc win demonstrated his ability to dominate over 2400 metres, while his recent performance over 2000 metres at Longchamp showed he can also excel at slightly shorter distances when the pace is strong. Trainers and jockeys alike have praised his versatility, noting that he can settle behind a fast tempo and then unleash a powerful finishing kick.
Looking ahead, the connections will likely use the Prix Aga Khan IV to sharpen his speed and test his adaptability over a distance that sits between the Ganay and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. A successful run there would cement his status as a leading middle‑distance contender and provide a clear indicator of his form heading into the British summer. The Prince of Wales’s Stakes, run over 10 furlongs at Ascot, is one of the most prestigious mid‑season targets for horses of Daryz’s caliber, and a win would further enhance his already impressive résumé. In summary, Daryz’s flawless start to the season, highlighted by a dominant Prix Ganay performance, has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that includes a potential Royal Ascot appearance.
His connections are confident that the horse will continue to improve, and they have mapped out a clear path through key European Group One races. With his pedigree, proven class, and the backing of the Aga Khan Studs, Daryz is poised to become one of the standout middle‑distance performers of the year.