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Amid a remarkable performance of stamina and breeding, Daryz overtook the hot favorite the favorite filly in the closing strides of the historic Arc de Triomphe this weekend. The victory came wearing the famous green and red silks previously worn by his late breeder, who died earlier this year. He is born for such races,” remarked his owner’s daughter after the race. From both parents, his father and mother were Group One champions at the distance, making him born to get the mile-and-a-half and it’s clear it showed today.”

An Impressive Rise for the Young Colt

The race was only the seventh start of Daryz’s racing life, all in his three-year-old campaign, and his first at a mile-and-a-half. He becomes the latest victor of the Arc for the thoroughbred operation founded nearly a century ago, a sequence that stretches back to the late 1940s, and additionally the first winner in the green and red colors since a perfect mare’s victory in the previous decade.

“It’s a great feeling and today was precisely what we aimed to do,” commented the trainer. Daryz was very tough to catch up with Minnie Hauk. Winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now in this silks is just crazy. In the past, it was only a fantasy, but now it’s happening to me.”

Key Players in the Victory

Rider Barzalona, known for won the Epsom Derby as a teenager in 2011, came from behind to run down the Irish trainer’s filly by a narrow margin. It marked a first Arc win for each of Barzalona and Francis-Henri Graffard, capping an excellent season for the latter. Previously in July, Graffard also won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with another runner, which got barred from lining up on Sunday.

One of very few disappointments for the yard this season was Daryz’s below-par run in August behind Ombudsman. But, the trainer believes that race contributed to toughen the colt for this race. While planning to run there, I said to the owner, ‘we are not going to win, but we need to build his resilience for later in the year,’” Graffard explained. “And I think, the defeat at York helped us to win today because Daryz was, now, very professional and experienced.”

Rider’s Reflections and Prospects for the Runner-Up

Barzalona shared great joy after his extended wait for an Arc victory is over. We always rated him,” he said. “When we went to that August race it was a disorganized race, but he returned much improved. In his mind and in condition, he has progressed a lot and on Sunday he was very relaxed. He moved very well, he picked up very well. Everything came together today to win.”

Minnie Hauk, undefeated in her previous starts this year, performed to her usual standard and was a long way ahead of the third-placed horse. It is every chance that the filly may continue racing at four, with another attempt to the Paris track at the top of her plans.

The jockey on the favorite, previously rode Dalakhani to victory in the same colours, briefly seemed to have made a decisive run heading into the final furlong. “No excuses,” Soumillon admitted. “When I felt the winner approaching in the last 200 meters, I saved a little in reserve for the end and we raced together, but his horse has a powerful finish and he loves the ground. Without him out, she could have been one of the most dominant Arc-winning fillies, but that is horse racing.”

What’s Next and Final Words

Currently no definite arrangements as yet for Daryz, but the last comment on the 2025 Arc undoubtedly goes to the breeder, the latest representative of the family to celebrate an Arc winner. “This is the ultimate achievement for a owner-breeder,” Princess Zahra said. “My dad was constantly so thrilled to win an Arc de Triomphe, and today I understand what it felt like.”