Daryz appears to be in prime condition to defend his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe title when the big day arrives in four weeks, a fact underscored by his authoritative 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 the iconic Longchamp racecourse in Paris. After a successful return in the Prix Ganay, he followed up with a dominant triumph in the Prix Aga Khan IV, confirming his status as a top‑class middle‑distance performer. His only recent blemish came in June at Royal Ascot, where he was sent across the English Channel for the Prince of Wales's Stakes and could manage only a third‑place finish.
Graffard and his team, however, felt that the sub‑par run could be explained by a combination of travel fatigue and unsuitable ground, and they were confident that the Sea The Stars‑sired son would bounce back when back on familiar French turf. The Prix Foy presented a slightly more complex test on paper. Among his three rivals were George Scott's Bay City Roller, a ten‑length winner of the Coronation Cup and also a serious Arc contender, and another strong challenger.
As expected, Bay City Roller was sent to the front by jockey Oisin Murphy in an effort to expose any potential weakness in Daryz's renowned finishing kick. Yet from the start, Mickael Barzalona appeared completely at ease on the reins of the hot favourite. The race unfolded with Daryz settling just behind Bay City Roller, then, a furlong out, pulling alongside his rival.
A gentle urging of the reins was all that was required for the colt to edge ahead, securing victory by one and three‑quarters lengths. "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," Graffard told Sky Sports Racing after the race.
He added that the performance represented the ideal preparation for the upcoming Arc, noting that he had left plenty of reserve in the horse and expected him to be "spot‑on" when the big day arrives. Scott, whose Bay City Roller finished second, also expressed optimism.
He hopes for rain in Paris before the October 4 showdown, believing that softer ground could suit his own runner. "Oisin was very happy with him and we'll be hoping for a different set of circumstances in a month's time," he said.
"We know this horse loves firm ground, but when it rains he's a different animal. He travelled well today, ran a great race, and was beaten by a better horse on the day. In four weeks that might be the case again, or it might not – we'll see." The commentary from both camps highlighted the tactical nuance of the race.
Barzalona's confidence in the saddle was evident, and his ability to time the move perfectly allowed Daryz to demonstrate his turn of foot without being forced. The win also reinforced the horse's versatility, showing he can dominate on a variety of ground conditions, a vital attribute for the Arc, which is often contested on soft or heavy turf depending on the weather.
While Daryz stole the spotlight, other notable performances added depth to the day's card. Hot favourite Avec Toi, trained by Christopher Head, was forced to dig deep to preserve his unbeaten streak in the Qatar Prix la Rochette, a Group Three event at Longchamp. The colt had been impressive in his first three starts and entered the race as a heavy odds‑on favourite for a fourth consecutive win.
Imperial Strike, a two‑time winner for Andre and Lavinia Fabre, challenged him strongly in the final strides, but Avec Toi managed to hold on by a short head. Head anticipates a likely rematch between the two in the Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère four weeks later, emphasizing the tactical nature of the race and the quality of both horses. In the Qatar Prix d'Aumale, British‑trained Rogue Passion, a filly owned by the Rogues Gallery, delivered a striking performance to claim Group Two honours.
Having taken her first win at Carlisle three weeks earlier, she stepped up sharply in class for the French contest. While Francis‑Henri Graffard's Amusingly seemed set to win after taking the lead under Colin Keane, Rossa Ryan timed a challenge perfectly for Rogue Passion, who surged ahead in the closing stages. Trainer Ed Bethell expressed delight, noting that the filly had shown she could rise to the occasion against top French competition. He hinted at the possibility of a future run in the Prix Marcel Boussac, pending discussions with the owners and the need for a supplementary entry.
Overall, the Prix Foy offered a valuable rehearsal for the Arc, confirming Daryz's superiority while also highlighting the depth of talent among his rivals. The race demonstrated that while Daryz possesses a lethal finishing burst, he can also settle comfortably and produce a strong, sustained run when asked.
With the Arc looming, connections from both sides will be analysing the impact of ground conditions, race tactics, and the fitness of each contender. Whether rain will soften the Longchamp turf and alter the dynamics remains a key variable, but Daryz's performance suggests he is ready to meet any challenge.
The upcoming weeks will see trainers fine‑tune their preparations, jockeys study the race replays, and fans eagerly anticipate what promises to be a thrilling edition of Europe's premier middle‑distance race.