Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that his star colt Daryz will aim for a showdown at Royal Ascot following an impressive season‑opening triumph in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The four‑year‑old, a 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 year. Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was beaten in his subsequent home‑soil outing, Daryz rebounded spectacularly by delivering a thrilling victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, confirming his status among the elite of European middle‑distance horses. In the recent 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the overwhelming favourite.
He broke from the stalls with a clean, balanced start and quickly asserted himself, cruising powerfully through the early stages of the race. Jockey Mickael Barzalona timed his move perfectly, urging the colt forward at the optimal moment. The response was instantaneous; Daryz accelerated with ease, pulling away from his rivals and crossing the finish line well ahead of the field.
Bright Picture, who had been ridden patiently throughout, finished a solid second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure secured third place. After the race, Nemone Routh, the manager for the Aga Khan Studs – Daryz’s owners in France – spoke to the Press Association, expressing the stable’s delight.
"We’re obviously very happy with that for his seasonal debut – he was suitably impressive," Routh said. She added that the team had always believed the colt possessed top‑class ability and that they expected further improvement over the coming months.
Routh emphasized the strategic intent behind keeping Daryz in training rather than retiring him after his Arc win. "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," she explained.
"We have always held him in high regard and I think today he’s proved he is a proper Group One horse." Following his victory, bookmakers trimmed Daryz’s odds for a repeat Arc triumph from 10‑1 to 5‑1, reflecting the confidence of punters and analysts alike. However, the connections have mapped out a series of high‑profile targets before the autumn classic. The next major engagement on their calendar is the Prix Aga Khan IV – formerly known as the Prix d’Ispahan – scheduled for next month.
This race, run over nine and a half furlongs, will serve as a sharpening test and a logical stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June. Routh explained the tactical shift in distance: "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." She was confident that the reduction in distance would suit Daryz’s racing style. "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." The team believes that a successful run in the Aga Khan IV will provide an ideal preparation for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a race that traditionally favors horses with a blend of speed and stamina.
"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," Routh said. "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." Looking ahead, the Aga Khan Studs are likely to keep a flexible approach, assessing Daryz’s progress after each campaign and selecting races that maximize his strengths while allowing for continued development. His affinity for a strong, sustained pace, combined with his proven ability to accelerate sharply, makes him a compelling contender for any middle‑distance contest.
Moreover, his pedigree – being out of Sea The Stars, a sire known for producing versatile, high‑class performers – adds an extra layer of intrigue for breeders and racing enthusiasts alike. If Daryz continues on this trajectory, the Royal Ascot meeting could become the highlight of his 2026 season, offering a platform to showcase his talent against some of the best milers and middle‑distance horses in the world. The Prince of Wales’s Stakes, run over ten furlongs on the famed Ascot straight, would provide an ideal distance that aligns with his demonstrated aptitude for both speed and stamina. In summary, Daryz’s dominant display in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that includes a targeted run in the Prix Aga Khan IV and a potential bid for glory at Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
With his connections expressing confidence in his ability to handle sharper trips and maintain his high‑class form, the racing world will be watching closely as this exceptional colt continues to write his story on the European racing circuit.