Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will be aimed at Royal Ascot following a flawless start to his three‑year‑old campaign in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars, who captured the Arc in October, appeared to be a future superstar after winning his first four starts as a two‑year‑old. Although he was a disappointment in the Juddmonte International at York and fell short on his next home‑soil outing, he rebounded spectacularly to claim a thrilling victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, confirming his status as a top‑class performer. In the recent ten‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the hot favourite and lived up to expectations.
He travelled powerfully from the start, covering the distance with a steady rhythm that suggested he was merely waiting for his jockey to ask for more. When Mickael Barzalona finally urged the horse forward, the response was immediate; the four‑year‑old surged into a higher gear and pulled away to secure a convincing win. Bright Picture, ridden patiently, finished second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure took third place.
Nemone Routh, the 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 – it was a very impressive display." She added that the connections have always believed the horse possessed genuine Group One quality and that there is still room for improvement this year.
"He is a very special horse, which is why we kept him in training to demonstrate that his Arc triumph was not a one‑off," Routh explained. "We have always held him in high regard, and today he proved he is a proper Group One horse." The victory also prompted bookmakers to shorten Daryz's odds for a successful defence of his Arc title later in the autumn, moving from 10‑1 to 5‑1.
However, his connections have a series of other high‑profile targets before the Arc arrives. The next race on their calendar is the Prix Aga Khan IV – previously known as the Prix d'Ispahan – scheduled for next month over nine and a half furlongs.
This race is seen as a logical stepping‑stone towards the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Routh elaborated on the plan, stating, "We intend to drop him back in distance for the Prix Aga Khan IV, which is a slightly sharper trip than today’s ten furlongs. He thrives on a fast pace and is happiest when he can stride out freely. Anyone who has ridden him says he can handle any tempo and will settle comfortably while maintaining his momentum." She expressed confidence that the shorter distance would suit him perfectly and serve as an ideal preparation for the Ascot contest.
"We hope he will be fine dropping back even further, and the timing works well for getting him ready for the Prince of Wales's Stakes." The strategic roadmap outlined by Graffard and his team for the first half of the season is clear: start with the Prix Ganay, then move to the Prix Aga Khan IV, and finally target the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot. While the exact programme for the second half of the year remains undecided, the early season plan provides a solid framework for the horse’s development and aims to maximise his chances of replicating his Arc success.
Daryz’s performance in the Ganay demonstrated not only his raw speed but also his ability to settle behind a strong pace and accelerate when asked. His turn of foot, combined with a calm temperament, makes him a versatile contender capable of handling a variety of race conditions. The trainer’s decision to keep him in training rather than retiring him after the Arc underscores their belief in his long‑term potential and their desire to prove his quality across multiple Group One events.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Prix Aga Khan IV will test his adaptability over a slightly shorter distance and a potentially quicker pace. If he can replicate the dominant display he showed at Longchamp, it will cement his reputation as one of the leading middle‑distance horses of his generation. Success there would also provide a strong confidence boost heading into the Prince of Wales's Stakes, where he will face a competitive field of international milers and middle‑distance specialists.
In summary, Daryz’s impressive victory in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign targeting some of the most prestigious races on the European calendar. With a clear plan, a supportive training team, and a jockey who knows how to extract the best from him, the horse is poised to continue his ascent and potentially add more Group One trophies to his already impressive résumé.