Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for a Royal Ascot campaign after the four‑year‑old produced a flawless start to his 2024 season by taking the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in Paris. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars, Daryz had already hinted at superstar status by winning his first four starts as a three‑year‑old last year.
Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was subsequently beaten on his next home‑soil outing, he rebounded spectacularly in October, delivering a thrilling performance to capture the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In the recent 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as a hot favourite and lived up to expectations.
From the outset he travelled powerfully, and the only question was when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask him for his effort. The moment Barzalona pressed his go‑button, the horse responded instantly, shifting gears and pulling away to secure a decisive victory. Bright Picture, who had been ridden patiently throughout, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure rounded out the placings in 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 are obviously delighted 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 animal, which is why we kept him in training to prove that his Arc triumph was not a one‑off performance." Routh added that the connections regard Daryz as a genuine Group One talent.
"We have always held him in high regard, and today he has confirmed that he belongs at the top level," she explained. Following the Ganay win, Daryz’s odds were cut by Coral from 10‑1 to 5‑1 as bookmakers recognised his chances of defending his Arc title in the autumn.
However, his team has a series of elite targets lined up before that ultimate goal. The next major race on their calendar is next month’s Prix Aga Khan IV – formerly known as the Prix d'Ispahan – a 9½‑furlong contest that will serve as a stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June. Routh clarified the plan: "We intend to drop him back in distance for the Prix Aga Khan IV, which is a slightly sharper trip than today’s race.
He thrives on a strong, honest pace, and he seems happiest when he can stride freely. Anyone who has ridden him says he can handle any tempo and will settle well under pressure." She continued, "We have no doubt he will handle the shorter distance, and it provides an ideal preparation for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Our strategy for the first half of the year is clear: the Ganay, then the Aga Khan, and finally Ascot. We are still working out the details for the second half of the season, but the early‑year plan is set." The decision to keep Daryz in training rather than retire him after his Arc win reflects the Aga Khan Studs’ confidence in his longevity and ability to compete at the highest level across a range of distances. By targeting a mix of middle‑distance and slightly shorter Group One events, they hope to showcase his versatility and reinforce his status as a world‑class performer.
Royal Ascot, with its historic prestige and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes as a premier middle‑distance test, represents a natural next step for a horse of Daryz’s calibre. The race, run over a mile and two furlongs, will pit him against some of the best older horses in Europe, providing a perfect platform to either confirm his superiority or expose any lingering weaknesses. If Daryz can replicate the turn of foot and tenacity he displayed at Longchamp, he will be a formidable challenger at Ascot. His pedigree – a blend of speed from Sea The Stars and stamina from his dam line – suggests he can handle the demanding Ascot track, which often rewards horses that can settle behind a strong pace before unleashing a late surge.
Beyond the immediate targets, the connections are also keeping an eye on potential international campaigns later in the year, including possible trips to the United States or Japan, where his proven ability on both soft and firm ground could be tested against a global field. For now, however, the focus remains squarely on the upcoming French contests and the ultimate goal of a successful run at Royal Ascot. In summary, Daryz’s flawless performance in the Prix Ganay has set the tone for an ambitious campaign.
With a clear roadmap laid out – Ganay, Aga Khan IV, and then the Prince of Wales’s Stakes – the Aga Khan Studs and trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard are positioning the horse to cement his reputation as one of the leading middle‑distance performers of his generation. Fans and punters alike will be watching closely as the season unfolds, eager to see whether Daryz can translate his early‑season dominance into further Group One glory on the storied lawns of Ascot.