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In a remarkable performance of stamina and breeding, the promising colt overtook the strongly fancied Minnie Hauk in the final strides of the historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. This win came wearing the famous red and green colors once worn by his late breeder, who passed away in February. “He was born for this,” stated a family member post-race. “On both sides, his father and mother were Group One champions over this trip, making him born to handle the mile-and-a-half and I think he proved it today.”

A Remarkable Ascent for Daryz

Sunday’s contest marked only the seventh start of Daryz’s career, all in his third-year season, and his first over 2,400 meters. He is the seventh Arc winner for the thoroughbred stable established in 1921, a tradition dating back to 1948, and additionally the first winner in the green and red colors after a perfect mare’s victory in 2008.

This is a great experience and today was exactly what we aimed to accomplish,” said the trainer. “My horse was very tough to close with Minnie Hauk. To win the Arc now in this silks is simply unbelievable. In the past, it was just a dream, but today it has become reality to me.”

Main Contributors in the Victory

Jockey Mickaël Barzalona, known for won the Derby as a 19-year-old over a decade ago, emerged from behind to chase down the Irish trainer’s filly by a head. It marked a maiden success for both Barzalona and trainer, capping an excellent season for the latter. Earlier in July, the trainer also took the prestigious Ascot race with a different runner, who was barred from lining up in the Arc.

Among the rare setbacks for the stable this season was Daryz’s disappointing performance in August behind Ombudsman. However, Graffard believes that race contributed to toughen the horse for this race. “When I was arranging to race at York, I said to the owner, ‘we won’t going to win, but it’s necessary to toughen him up for the autumn,’” Graffard stated. In my view, the defeat in that race played a part to succeed today because my horse was, for the first time, fully focused and experienced.”

Rider’s Reflections and Prospects for the Runner-Up

The winning jockey shared great satisfaction after his long wait for an Arc winner is over. “We’ve always believed in him,” Barzalona remarked. After going to that August race it was a messy contest, but he returned much improved. Mentally and physically, he has improved a lot and on Sunday he was very relaxed. He travelled smoothly, he accelerated strongly. All factors came together in this race to win.”

The favorite filly, unbeaten in her four starts this year, performed to her usual standard and was well ahead of the third-placed runner. It is likely that she will continue racing at four, with another attempt to the Paris track at the top of her agenda.

The jockey on the favorite, who also piloted a past winner to victory in identical silks, briefly seemed to have made a decisive move entering the last stretch. “No excuses,” Soumillon said. As I sensed the winner approaching in the final furlong, I kept a little back for the finish and we went together, but his horse has a powerful finish and he loves the ground. Without him out, she could have been among the most dominant Arc-winning female horses, but that is horse racing.”

Future Plans and Closing Thoughts

There are no definite arrangements as yet for Sunday’s winner, but the final word on the this year’s race certainly belongs to the owner, the third generation of the family to welcome back an Arc champion. “This is the ultimate achievement for a breeder,” she declared. “My dad was constantly so over the moon to claim an Arc, and today I understand how he felt.”