Daryz Surprises Hot Favourite Minnie Hauk in Nail-biting Finale at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

During a impressive display of endurance and breeding, the promising colt caught the hot favorite the favorite filly in the final moments of the historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this weekend. This win came in the iconic red and green colors once associated with the late owner, who passed away earlier this year. “He was bred for such races,” remarked his owner’s daughter post-race. “On both sides, sire and dam were top-level winners over this trip, so he was destined to get the mile-and-a-half and I think it showed today.”

A Remarkable Rise for Daryz

Sunday’s race was only the seventh start of the colt’s racing life, all in his third-year campaign, and the first time over 2,400 meters. He is the latest Arc winner for the racing and breeding operation established in 1921, a sequence that stretches back to the late 1940s, and also the first triumph in the green and red silks after an unbeaten champion’s success in the previous decade.

This is a amazing feeling and Sunday was precisely what we planned to do,” said Francis-Henri Graffard. “My horse was very tough to catch up with the filly. To win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now in this silks is just crazy. Before, it was only a fantasy, but today it has become reality to me.”

Key Players in the Victory

Jockey Barzalona, who famously won the Epsom Derby as a 19-year-old in 2011, came from the pack to run down Aidan O’Brien’s female horse by a narrow margin. It marked a maiden win for both the jockey and Francis-Henri Graffard, capping an excellent year for the latter. Earlier in July, the trainer also won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with another horse, who was barred from competing in the Arc.

Among the rare disappointments for the yard this season was the colt’s disappointing performance during summer behind Ombudsman. But, the trainer believes that experience helped toughen the horse for the autumn. While arranging to run there, I told Princess Zahra, ‘we are not going to win, but it’s necessary to build his resilience for the autumn,’” Graffard stated. In my view, the loss at York helped us to succeed today because Daryz was, for the first time, fully focused and experienced.”

Jockey’s Thoughts and Future for the Runner-Up

Barzalona shared great joy after his long quest for an Arc winner is over. “We’ve always rated him,” Barzalona said. After going to York it was a messy race, but he returned much improved. Mentally and physically, he has progressed significantly and today he was composed. He moved very well, he picked up strongly. All factors combined in this race to secure victory.”

The favorite filly, undefeated in her previous starts this year, performed up to her best and was a long way clear of the third runner. It is every chance that she will stay in training next season, with a return to the Paris track as a main goal of her agenda.

The jockey on the favorite, previously rode a past winner to success in the same colours, for a moment appeared to have executed a decisive move entering the last stretch. No reasons,” he admitted. “When I felt Barzalona approaching in the final furlong, I kept a little back for the finish and we raced together, but his horse has a powerful dash and thrives on the ground. If you take him out, the filly would have been among the most impressive Arc-winning female horses, but that is horse racing.”

Future Plans and Final Words

There are no plans so far for Sunday’s winner, but the last comment on the this year’s race certainly goes to the breeder, the third generation of the family to welcome back an Arc winner. “This is the ultimate achievement for a owner-breeder,” Princess Zahra said. “My dad was constantly so thrilled to claim an Arc de Triomphe, and now I understand how he felt.”