Francis‑Henri Graffard has confirmed that his champion Daryz will aim for a run at Royal Ascot following a flawless start to the season with a commanding victory in the Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp. The progeny of Sea The Stars, who seemed destined for greatness after an unbeaten streak of four victories in his juvenile year, had previously stumbled in the Juddmonte International at York and then been overtaken on his home‑soil return. Nevertheless, he rebounded spectacularly to capture a thrilling Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, silencing any lingering doubts about his class. In the recent ten‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as a heavy favourite, expected to replicate the brilliance that had carried him to the Arc crown.
From the start, he travelled with authority, covering the distance with a smooth, powerful rhythm. The pivotal moment arrived when jockey Mickael Barzalona asked for a decisive push; the four‑year‑old responded instantly, accelerating sharply and pulling clear to secure the win. The effort demonstrated that his earlier successes were no fluke. Bright Picture, ridden with patience, proved the best of the challengers, finishing a respectable second, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure took third place.
Nemone Routh, the manager for the Aga Khan Studs—owners of Daryz—in France, spoke to the Press Association, expressing the team's delight: "We are obviously very pleased with his performance in this seasonal debut; it was suitably impressive." Routh added that the team had always believed Daryz possessed the qualities of a true champion and that they expected further progression throughout the year. "He will probably improve even more this season. He's a very special horse, which is why we kept him in training—to prove that his Arc triumph was not a one‑off. We have always held him in the highest regard, and today he confirmed that he is a genuine Group One horse," she said.
Following the win, bookmakers trimmed Daryz’s odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1 for a potential repeat of his Arc success in the autumn. However, his connections have already outlined a series of high‑profile targets leading up to that objective. The next logical step appears to be the Prix Aga Khan IV—formerly known as the Prix d’Ispahan—scheduled for the coming month.
This race, run over nine and a half furlongs, offers a slightly sharper test than the ten‑furlong Ganay and serves as a perfect stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June. "We intend to drop the distance a little further now, as the Prix Aga Khan IV is a tighter trip and will sharpen his turn of foot," Routh explained. "We have no concerns about that because Daryz thrives on a strong, fast pace.
He is happiest when he can stride freely, and every rider who has partnered him notes that he can adapt to any tempo." Routh emphasized that the planned progression—Ganay, then the Aga Khan IV, followed by the Prince of Wales’s Stakes—fits neatly into the team’s broader campaign strategy. While the exact roadmap for the latter half of the year remains fluid, the early part of the season is clearly mapped out.
"The idea we had was the Ganay today, the Prix Aga Khan IV, and then the Prince of Wales’s at Ascot. We haven’t nailed down the second half of the year yet, but that is the plan for the first half," she concluded. The decision to target Royal Ascot reflects both Daryz’s proven ability over a range of distances and his affinity for a briskly run race. Trainers and jockeys alike have observed that he possesses a rare combination of stamina, turn of foot, and a willingness to settle into a strong rhythm before unleashing a powerful finish.
Those attributes make him a perfect candidate for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a race that traditionally rewards horses capable of cruising at a high cruising speed while still possessing a decisive acceleration. If Daryz can maintain the form displayed at the Ganay and successfully navigate the slightly shorter Aga Khan IV, he will arrive at Ascot as a genuine threat to the established elite.
His connections are confident that the horse will continue to mature, noting that he still has “a bit more improvement to come” this year. The team’s commitment to keeping him in training, despite the temptation to retire him on a high note after the Arc, underscores their belief that his legacy can be further enhanced with additional Group One victories. Racing fans can stay updated on Daryz’s campaign through regular news feeds, interviews, and feature articles that track his progress across the European circuit.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the four‑year‑old to see whether he can translate his early-season dominance into a sustained period of top‑level success, culminating in a potentially historic performance at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting.