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During a stunning performance of endurance and breeding, Daryz overtook the hot favorite the favorite filly in the closing strides of the 104th Arc de Triomphe this weekend. This win came in the famous red and green colors previously associated with the late breeder, who died earlier this year. “He was born for such races,” remarked a family member after the race. From both parents, his father and mother were Group One champions over this trip, making him destined to handle the mile-and-a-half and I think it showed today.”

A Remarkable Rise for the Young Colt

Sunday’s race marked just the seventh start of Daryz’s career, all in his three-year-old campaign, and the first time at a mile-and-a-half. He is the seventh victor of the Arc for the racing and breeding operation founded nearly a century ago, a sequence that stretches back to the late 1940s, and also the first winner in the green and red colors since a perfect mare’s success in the previous decade.

“It’s a great experience and today was precisely what we planned to accomplish,” commented Francis-Henri Graffard. Daryz was extremely determined to catch up with the filly. Winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now in these colours is simply unbelievable. Before, it was just a dream, but now it has become reality for us.”

Key Players in the Triumph

Jockey Barzalona, known for won the Epsom Derby as a 19-year-old over a decade ago, came from behind to chase down the Irish trainer’s female horse by a head. It marked a maiden win for both the jockey and trainer, sealing an outstanding season for the trainer. Earlier in July, the trainer had took the prestigious Ascot race with another horse, which got barred from lining up on Sunday.

Among the rare setbacks for the yard this season was the colt’s disappointing performance in August behind another rival. But, the trainer believes that experience helped strengthen the colt for this race. While planning to race at York, I said to the owner, ‘we won’t victorious, but we need to build his resilience for later in the year,’” Graffard stated. In my view, the loss in that race helped us to win on Sunday because my horse was, now, fully focused and mature.”

Jockey’s Thoughts and Future for the Runner-Up

Barzalona expressed great joy after his extended quest for an Arc winner is over. We always believed in him,” Barzalona said. After going to York it was a disorganized race, but he came back a lot stronger. In his mind and in condition, he has improved significantly and today he was composed. He moved smoothly, he picked up very well. Everything combined in this race to secure victory.”

Minnie Hauk, undefeated in her previous races this year, performed to her usual standard and finished a long way clear of the third-placed horse. There is likely that she will continue racing next season, with a return to the Paris track as a main goal of her plans.

The jockey on the favorite, who also rode a past winner to victory in identical silks, for a moment seemed to have made a winning move heading into the last stretch. “No excuses,” he admitted. As I sensed Barzalona coming in the last 200 meters, I saved a little in reserve for the end and we raced side by side, but his horse has a strong finish and he loves the track conditions. If you take him in the race, the filly would have been among the most dominant Arc-winning fillies, but that is horse racing.”

Future Plans and Closing Thoughts

There are no definite arrangements so far for Sunday’s winner, but the last comment on the this year’s race undoubtedly goes to the owner, the third generation of her family to celebrate an Arc champion. It represents the ultimate achievement for a breeder,” Princess Zahra said. My father was always so over the moon to win an Arc de Triomphe, and today I know how he felt.”