Daryz appears to be in prime condition to defend his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe title when the summer classic returns in four weeks, a confidence bolstered by his authoritative performance in the Prix Foy. Francis-Henri Graffard's four‑year‑old star kicked off his season on a high note, adding two more Group One wins at his beloved Longchamp. After a comeback win in the Prix Ganay, the colt followed up with a decisive triumph in the Prix Aga Khan IV, confirming his status as a top‑level middle‑distance performer. His only blemish this year came in June when he was sent across the English Channel for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
There he finished a disappointing third, a result his connections readily explained with a range of plausible excuses, from the firmer ground to a less than ideal trip. They insisted the run was an outlier and expected the son of Sea The Stars to rebound strongly on familiar French turf. The Prix Foy presented a genuine test on paper. Among the three opponents were George Scott's Bay City Roller, the ten‑length winner of the Coronation Cup and another serious Arc contender, and a third runner whose credentials were less distinguished.
As anticipated, Bay City Roller was sent to the front by Oisin Murphy, hoping to expose any vulnerability in Daryz's renowned finishing kick. Mickael Barzalona, however, seemed utterly at ease in the saddle. The favourite settled comfortably beside Bay City Roller as they entered the final furlong, and when the finishing straight opened up, Daryz was only asked to extend his lead slightly. He responded by pulling away to win by one and three‑quarters lengths, a margin that underscored his superiority without appearing to overexert him.
"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. "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." George Scott also praised the runner‑up, noting that changing ground conditions could dramatically alter the outcome when the two meet again in October's premier middle‑distance contest. "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 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." Scott continued, "I think he's the best version of himself now. The winner might be as well, but in four weeks' time it's going to be completely different.
He's going to be an underdog coming back, of course he is – Daryz is a champion and he is unbelievable around here. It was all perfect for him today and set up great, but I was very happy with our horse, Oisin was most happy, so we're looking forward to it." The meeting also featured hot favourite Avec Toi, who was forced to give his all to preserve an unbeaten record in the Qatar Prix la Rochette at Longchamp. Trained by Christopher Head, the colt had already won his first three starts impressively and entered the Group Three contest as overwhelming odds‑on favourite for a fourth consecutive victory.
Imperial Strike, a proven performer for Andre and Lavinia Fabre, challenged strongly in the closing stages. The finish was a photo‑finish, with Avec Toi edging home by a short head. The two are likely to meet again in the Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère four weeks later, setting up a tantalising showdown between the leading three‑year‑olds.
Head reflected on the race, "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 Group Two Qatar Prix d'Aumale, British‑trained Rogue Passion, a filly owned by the Sioux Nation, delivered a flash of brilliance to claim victory.
The mare had stepped up sharply in class after breaking her maiden at Carlisle three weeks earlier, making her win all the more impressive. Francis‑Henri Graffard's Amusingly looked set to dominate after taking the lead under Colin Keane, but Rossa Ryan timed Rogue Passion's challenge perfectly, allowing the filly to surge past in the final strides and secure the win.
Ed Bethell, the trainer, 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 explained, "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."