Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for a Royal Ascot campaign after the four‑year‑old delivered a flawless start to his season by winning the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in Paris. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has already shown the makings of a superstar, having captured his first four starts last year. Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was also defeated on his subsequent home‑soil outing, Daryz rebounded spectacularly by seizing a dramatic victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.
Going into the 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as a hot favourite, and he lived up to expectations. After a powerful, sustained drive through the early stages, it was only a matter of when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask for his effort.
The moment Barzalona gave the cue, Daryz responded instantly, shifting gears with ease and pulling away to clinch a decisive win. The patient ride of Bright Picture earned the runner‑up spot, while Group One‑winner Aventure finished third. Nemone Routh, the manager representing the Aga Khan Studs – Daryz’s owners in France – spoke to the Press Association after the race.
She said, "We’re obviously very happy with that for his seasonal debut – he was suitably impressive. We always hoped this was as good as he is and he will probably come on for that race – he’s still got a bit more improvement to come I think this year.
He’s a very special horse and that’s why we kept him in training as we wanted to prove to everyone his win in the Arc wasn’t a flash in the pan. We have always held him in high regard and I think today he’s proved he is a proper Group One horse." The victory also saw Daryz’s odds shorten dramatically, with Coral cutting his price from 10‑1 to 5‑1 as he prepares to defend his Arc title in the autumn. However, his connections have a series of top‑level targets mapped out before that showdown.
The next major test is likely to be the Prix Aga Khan IV – previously known as the Prix d’Ispahan – scheduled for next month. That race, run over nine and a half furlongs, will serve as a stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June. Routh explained the strategic thinking behind the upcoming campaign: "I think we’re going to drop him back even further (in trip) now as he’s going to go for the Prix Aga Khan IV, which is over nine and a half furlongs, so it’s even a bit sharper than today.
We would not have any fear of that as he’s a horse who loves a fast pace in a race – he’s actually at his happiest when he can stride out and anyone that rides him says he gives you a feeling that he can follow any pace." She added that the plan is to use the Aga Khan race as a perfect preparation for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes: "We hope he’ll be fine dropping back even further and it’s just a very good prep as it falls at the right time for getting him to the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The idea that we had in our minds was the Ganay today, the Prix Aga Khan IV and then the Prince of Wales’s at Ascot. We haven’t quite figured out what we’re doing for the second half of the year, but that’s the plan for the first half of the year." Daryz’s performance at the Ganay not only reaffirmed his elite status but also highlighted his versatility and ability to handle a range of distances and paces.
His pedigree, being a progeny of Sea The Stars, has always suggested a blend of stamina and turn‑of‑foot speed, qualities that were on full display as he settled comfortably into the race’s rhythm before unleashing a decisive acceleration in the straight. The ease with which he navigated the 2,000‑metre test bodes well for the slightly shorter, sharper contest at the Aga Khan meeting, where a swift, tactical approach will be essential.
Looking ahead, the connections are mindful of the broader European racing calendar. After the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Daryz could be aimed at other prestigious middle‑distance events such as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July or even a repeat attempt at the Arc in October, depending on how he progresses through the summer. The training team is confident that the horse still has room to improve, and they intend to fine‑tune his conditioning to ensure he peaks at the right moments. In summary, Daryz’s flawless debut in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that includes a potential Royal Ascot appearance, a strategic run in the Prix Aga Khan IV, and a target on the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
With his connections expressing unwavering belief in his ability to dominate at the highest level, racing enthusiasts can expect to see this remarkable horse continue to dazzle on the world stage throughout the season.