Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for Royal Ascot after the horse delivered a flawless start to his four‑year‑old campaign with a commanding victory in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has already hinted at superstar status, having won his first four starts as a three‑year‑old last season.
Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was beaten in his next home‑soil outing, Daryz rebounded spectacularly to capture a thrilling Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, confirming his class on the biggest stage. Going into the 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as a hot favourite, and he lived up to expectations.
From the moment the gates opened, he travelled with power and composure, covering the ground with an effortless stride. The real question for spectators was when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask him to accelerate. The moment the rider gave the signal, Daryz responded instantly, shifting gears and pulling away to secure a decisive win.
Behind him, the patient runner Bright Picture, trained by the renowned Bright Picture stable, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure rounded out the placings in third. Nemone Routh, the manager for the Aga Khan Studs – Daryz’s owners 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 a suitably impressive display.
We have always believed he possesses the talent to be a top‑class performer, and today he proved that belief right. He still has room to improve this year, and we intend to keep him in training to demonstrate that his Arc triumph was no fluke." Routh added that the connections view the upcoming Prix Aga Khan IV – formerly known as the Prix d'Ispahan – as a logical stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June.
"We plan to drop him back in distance for the Aga Khan IV, which is run over nine and a half furlongs, a little sharper than today’s race. Daryz thrives on a strong, fast pace; he is happiest when he can stretch out and maintain any tempo his jockey asks for," she explained.
The betting public has already taken note, cutting Daryz’s odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1 for a potential repeat of his Arc victory later in the autumn. However, his team has a clear roadmap for the first half of the year: the Ganay, followed by the Aga Khan IV, and then the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. While the second half of the season remains to be mapped out, the early targets provide a solid framework for the horse’s preparation. The decision to keep Daryz in training rather than retiring him after his Arc win reflects the confidence his owners have in his durability and potential for further improvement.
"He is a very special horse, and we wanted to prove to everyone that his Arc win was not a one‑off performance," Routh emphasized. "We have always held him in high regard, and today he confirmed that he belongs among the elite Group One horses." Looking ahead, the connections anticipate that the shorter trip in the Aga Khan IV will suit Daryz’s turn of foot, allowing him to sharpen his speed before tackling the ten‑furlong Prince of Wales’s Stakes. "We have no fear of dropping the distance; his love of a fast pace means he can handle a sharper race with ease," Routh said. "The plan we laid out – Ganay, then Aga Khan IV, then Ascot – gives us a perfect progression, and the timing works well for his development." Fans of the sport can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features through Sky Sports Racing and other outlets, ensuring they won’t miss any developments in Daryz’s promising campaign.
With his impressive display at Longchamp, the horse has firmly established himself as a contender for the prestigious Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and his connections are confident that the upcoming races will only enhance his reputation as a true Group One talent.