Francis‑Henri Graffard has announced that his champion Daryz will be aimed at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting following a flawless start to the season in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp, Paris. The four‑year‑old, a son of the legendary Sea The Stars, has already shown the makings of a superstar by winning his first four starts as a three‑year‑old last year. Although he fell short in the Juddmonte International at York and was narrowly beaten on his subsequent home‑soil start, Daryz rebounded spectacularly by capturing a thrilling victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, confirming his status among the elite of European racing. In the recent 10‑furlong Group One at Longchamp, Daryz entered as a hot favourite and lived up to expectations.
He travelled powerfully from the start, and once jockey Mickael Barzalona chose to press forward, the response was immediate. The four‑year‑old surged into the lead, shifted gears effortlessly, and pulled away to claim a decisive win. Bright Picture, ridden patiently, held on for second place, while the Group One‑winning mare Aventure rounded out the podium in third. Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs – the owners of Daryz in France – spoke to the Press Association after the race.
She said, "We are obviously delighted with his performance on his seasonal debut; he was suitably impressive. We have always believed this horse is as good as he looks, and we expect him to improve further this year. He is a very special horse, which is why we kept him in training to prove that his Arc triumph was not a one‑off performance. We have always held him in high regard, and today he has confirmed that he is a genuine Group One competitor." Following the victory, bookmakers 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 series of top‑level targets lined up before the season's climax. The next race on their calendar 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, is expected to serve as a stepping‑stone toward the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Routh explained the strategic plan: "We intend to drop him back in distance now, as the Prix Aga Khan IV is a shorter trip than the Ganay, and it will sharpen him further. He thrives on a strong pace and is happiest when he can stride freely.
Anyone who has ridden him says he can adapt to any tempo. We have no fear of him handling the shorter distance; in fact, a fast, keenly contested race suits him perfectly." She continued, "We hope the drop back will be beneficial and that the race will provide an excellent preparation for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Our roadmap for the first half of the year is clear: the Ganay, then the Prix Aga Khan IV, followed by the Prince of Wales's at Ascot. We are still working out the programme for the second half of the year, but this outlines our immediate objectives." The decision to target Royal Ascot reflects both Daryz's proven ability over a range of distances and his affinity for a strong, sustained pace. His performance in the Arc demonstrated that he can handle the classic distance of 12 furlongs, while his recent win over 10 furlongs showed he retains a potent turn of foot when asked to quicken.
The upcoming 10‑furlong Prince of Wales's Stakes will therefore test his versatility and stamina, offering a perfect platform to showcase his class against some of the best middle‑distance horses in the world. If Daryz continues to develop as his connections anticipate, he could become a dominant force in the European middle‑distance division for the remainder of the season.
The blend of his impeccable pedigree, his proven Group One credentials, and the careful management by the Aga Khan Studs suggest a bright future. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as he moves from Longchamp to the historic grounds of Ascot, where a win would cement his reputation as one of the leading racehorses of his generation. In summary, Daryz's flawless performance in the Prix Ganay has set the stage for an ambitious campaign that includes the Prix Aga Khan IV and a targeted run in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
With his trainer, jockey, and owners all expressing confidence in his ability to improve and adapt, the horse appears poised to add further Group One victories to his impressive résumé.