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 season in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars, who captured the public’s imagination with an unbeaten streak of four victories in his juvenile campaign, had a mixed 2023, faltering in the Juddmonte International at York and then being beaten on his next home‑soil start. However, he rebounded spectacularly in October, delivering a thrilling performance to secure the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, confirming his status as a world‑class middle‑distance contender. In the recent 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the overwhelming favourite.
From the start he displayed the power and composure that have become his trademarks. Jockey Mickael Barzalona settled the colt just behind the pace, then asked for acceleration at the optimal moment.
Daryz responded instantly, shifting gears with fluid ease and pulling away to claim a decisive victory. The runner‑up, Bright Picture, who had been ridden patiently throughout the race, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure completed the podium in third. 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 absolutely delighted with his performance in his seasonal debut; it was exactly the kind of display we hoped for." She added that the team has always believed Daryz possesses the qualities of a true champion and that there is still room for improvement this year.
"He is a very special horse, which is why we kept him in training. We wanted to prove to everyone that his Arc triumph was not a one‑off," Routh explained.
Routh continued, "We have always regarded him as a genuine Group One talent, and today he has confirmed that reputation." The victory also saw the betting odds for Daryz shorten dramatically, with Coral cutting his price from 10‑1 to 5‑1 as the market recognized his renewed form. Looking ahead, Graffard and his connections have plotted a clear path toward the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot in June.
The next target is the Prix Aga Khan IV – previously known as the Prix d'Ispahan – scheduled for next month. This race, run over nine and a half furlongs, will serve as a sharp, speed‑testing prep for the longer ten‑furlong contest at Royal Ascot. "We intend to drop the distance a little further now, aiming for the Prix Aga Khan IV, which is a touch sharper than today's race," Routh said. "We have no concerns about that because Daryz thrives on a strong, honest pace.
He is happiest when he can stretch his stride, and anyone who has ridden him notes his ability to adapt to any tempo." Routh emphasized the strategic timing of the Aga Khan IV, noting that it falls at an ideal point in the calendar to fine‑tune the horse for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. "The plan we laid out was Ganay, then the Prix Aga Khan IV, and finally the Prince of Wales's at Ascot.
We are still finalising the second half of the year, but that is the roadmap for the first half," she said. The decision to keep Daryz in training rather than retire him after his Arc win reflects the confidence of the Aga Khan operation in his durability and potential for further growth. The team believes that the horse's combination of stamina, turn of foot, and willingness to engage in a fast‑paced race makes him an ideal candidate for the demanding Ascot track, where the Prince of Wales's Stakes often produces a high‑class showdown among the best middle‑distance runners. Royal Ascot, with its historic setting and world‑class competition, offers a perfect stage for Daryz to demonstrate that his Arc victory was not a flash in the pan but part of a broader pattern of excellence.
If he can replicate his Longchamp performance, adapting his speed to the slightly longer distance and the unique undulating terrain of Ascot, he could become one of the few horses to win both the Arc and a major Ascot Group One in the same season. Beyond the immediate objectives, the connections are also mindful of Daryz's long‑term legacy. A successful Ascot campaign would enhance his breeding value and cement his place among the elite progeny of Sea The Stars. The Aga Khan Studs have a storied history of producing classic winners, and Daryz could join that illustrious lineage if he continues to thrive at the highest level.
In summary, after a dominant display in the Prix Ganay, Daryz is poised to tackle a carefully plotted series of races that culminate in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. With a trainer confident in his condition, a jockey who knows how to extract his best effort, and owners who believe in his potential, the horse's upcoming campaign promises to be both exciting and strategically sound.
The racing world will be watching closely as Daryz moves from a triumphant Arc champion to a potential dual‑Group One winner on the historic turf of Ascot.