Daryz appears to be in an ideal position to defend his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe title when the big day arrives in four weeks, a conclusion drawn from his commanding performance in the Prix Foy. Francis-Henri Graffard's colt kicked off his four‑year‑old campaign on a high note, adding two more Group One wins at his favourite venue, Longchamp in Paris.
After a successful defence in the Prix Ganay, he followed up with a dominant display in the Prix Aga Khan IV, confirming his status as a top‑class middle‑distance performer. His only recent blemish came in June when he travelled to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes and finished third.
Graffard and his team have suggested that a combination of the firm ground and the travel may have contributed to the sub‑par effort, and they expected the horse to rebound strongly on familiar French turf. On paper, the Prix Foy presented a respectable challenge.
Among the three rivals were George Scott's Bay City Roller, the ten‑length winner of the Coronation Cup and another serious Arc contender. As anticipated, Bay City Roller was sent straight to the front by jockey Oisin Murphy, a tactic designed to test Daryz's renowned turn‑of‑foot. Mickael Barzalona, however, seemed completely at ease aboard the favourite. He settled Daryz just behind the leader, allowing the horse to settle into a rhythm.
As the field turned into the final furlong, Daryz moved alongside Bay City Roller and, with a gentle urging of the reins, pulled away to win by one and three‑quarters lengths. Barzalona's confidence never wavered, and the finish line confirmed that Daryz is still the horse to beat. Graffard praised the trial, telling Sky Sports Racing, "I couldn't be happier with the trial he had today. We got a good lead and luckily Oisin made the pace a little bit harder at the top of the hill, so the horse was really travelling nicely.
For me as a trainer it was the best preparation I could have for the horse. He will come on a lot for that, I left plenty in him, so he should be spot‑on for four weeks' time." Scott, speaking about his runner‑up, expressed optimism for the upcoming Arc and even hinted at a preference for softer ground, saying, "We know that this horse has a high level of form on ground like this, but when it rains he's a different animal.
He came here and travelled well, went through the race very well and got beaten by a better horse on the day. In four weeks' time that might be the case (again), but it might not, so we'll see." The race also featured hot favourite Avec Toi, who was forced to give his all to keep his unbeaten record in the Qatar Prix La Rochette at Longchamp. Christopher Head's colt had dazzled in his first three starts and entered the Group Three contest as a heavy odds‑on favourite. Imperial Strike, a proven winner for Andre and Lavinia Fabre, provided the only real threat, and the two battled closely to the finish, Avec Toi edging out a short head victory.
A likely rematch is set for the Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère in four weeks' time. Head reflected on the race, noting, "It was a very nice race with five nice horses.
I respected Imperial Strike from the beginning, so I'm very happy our horse won the race and we discovered there's a very nice horse to beat next time too! He's a very nice horse and he's done a great job today. It was a pretty tactical race and we are all happy.
There is a lot to do between the two races and I'm very happy with that." In the Qatar Prix d'Aumale, British‑trained Rogue Passion, a filly owned by the Sioux Nation, stepped up to Group Two level and claimed a decisive win. After breaking her maiden at Carlisle three weeks earlier, she faced a much tougher field. Francis‑Henri Graffard's Amusingly looked set to dominate after taking a commanding lead under Colin Keane, but Rossa Ryan timed Rogue Passion's challenge perfectly, and the filly surged to the front in the closing stages.
Trainer Ed Bethell told the Press Association, "We were hoping that she'd run a big race, she's a very nice filly who I've got a lot of time for. Obviously you don't know what you're taking on with the French horses, but she quickened up like a decent filly over the mile there and we're delighted." When asked about a possible return to Paris for the Prix Marcel Boussac next month, Bethell said, "It's a conversation that needs to be had with the guys at Rogues Gallery (owners) because she needs to be supplemented if we're going to do it. We'll let the dust settle today, enjoy it and have the conversation in a few days' time.
She's got options, but now she's a Group Two winner we want to try and get a Group One if we can. Today definitely was not unexpected. She's always shown she's a nice filly and it's a huge credit to the Rogues Gallery and Henry Lascelles who bought her." Overall, the day at Longchamp highlighted the depth of talent preparing for October's premier middle‑distance contest. Daryz's flawless trial, Bay City Roller's solid effort, and the emerging prospects of Avec Toi and Rogue Passion all point to a highly competitive Arc.
With the ground conditions still uncertain, trainers like Graffard and Scott are keenly watching the weather forecasts, knowing that a change in turf firmness can dramatically alter a horse's performance. As the calendar ticks down, the racing community eagerly anticipates the showdown on October 4, where the best of Europe will converge to decide who truly deserves the title of champion over 2,400 metres.