Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that Daryz will aim for Royal Ascot after the four‑year‑old produced a flawless start to his campaign by winning the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in Paris. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars has already shown the makings of a superstar, having captured his first four starts last season.
Although his form dipped in the Juddmonte International at York and he was beaten in his next 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. In the recent ten‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as the hot favourite, expected to continue the momentum he built in the Arc. From the moment the gates opened he travelled with authority, covering the ground with powerful strides.
The only question was when jockey Mickael Barzalona would ask him for more, and the moment he did, Daryz responded instantly, shifting into a higher gear and pulling away to claim a decisive win. Bright Picture, ridden patiently, 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 – Daryz’s owners in France – spoke to the Press Association after the race.
She said, "We’re obviously very happy with that for his seasonal debut – he was suitably impressive. We always hoped this was as good as he is and he will probably come on for that race – he’s still got a bit more improvement to come I think this year.
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. We have always held him in high regard and I think today he’s proved he is a proper Group One horse." Following the victory, Coral cut Daryz’s odds from 10‑1 to 5‑1 for a successful defense of his Arc title in the autumn.
However, his connections have a busy schedule ahead, with several high‑profile targets before the big race. The next major engagement is likely to be the Prix Aga Khan IV – previously known as the Prix d’Ispahan – a nine‑and‑a‑half‑furlong contest that will serve as a stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June. Routh explained the strategic plan: "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. 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." She added that the shorter distance would be a useful preparation: "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.
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." The decision to target Royal Ascot reflects both Daryz’s proven ability over a range of distances and his preference for a strong, honest pace.
His performance in the Ganay demonstrated that he can dominate over ten furlongs, while his Arc triumph proved he can handle the classic distance of twelve furlongs when the race unfolds at a genuine tempo. By stepping back to nine and a half furlongs at the Aga Khan IV, his connections hope to sharpen his turn of foot and reinforce his stamina before testing him again over ten furlongs in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Daryz’s pedigree further underlines his suitability for the Ascot program. As a progeny of Sea The Stars, he inherits a blend of speed and endurance that has produced numerous Group One winners worldwide.
His dam line also contributes stamina, making the horse versatile enough to excel from a mile up to the classic distance. This genetic foundation, combined with Graffard’s careful management and Barzalona’s tactical acumen, gives the team confidence that Daryz can compete against the best middle‑distance horses in Europe.
Looking ahead, the Aga Khan Studs will likely assess his performance in the Aga Khan IV before finalising his autumn campaign. If he confirms his dominance in June, a repeat attempt at the Arc could be on the cards, potentially aiming to become one of the few horses to win the race twice.
For now, the focus remains on the immediate targets: a successful run at the Prix Aga Khan IV, a strong showing in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and ultimately, a bid to defend his Arc crown later in the season. Racing enthusiasts and punters alike will be watching closely, as Daryz’s odds continue to fluctuate with each new achievement. His recent win has already attracted significant betting interest, and the shortened odds reflect the market’s belief in his ability to perform at the highest level. With a clear plan laid out by his connections and a horse that appears to be reaching his peak, the upcoming months promise to be an exciting chapter in Daryz’s already impressive career.