At ParisLongchamp, Daryz Delivered an Arc of Soul and Emotion for The Aga Khan

The son of Sea The Stars edged out Minnie Hauk by the narrowest of margins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), restoring glory to the iconic green and red silks and booking his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf

Wide and Driving, Daryz Runs Down Minnie Hauk to Capture the Arc / DAN ABRAHAM

PARIS, Francia (Special for Turf Diario).- In a ParisLongchamp draped in celebration and emotion, the Aga Khan Studs returned to the summit of European racing as homebred Daryz (Sea The Stars) produced a last-gasp surge to deny the valiant filly Minnie Hauk (Frankel) in the 104th running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1, €5,000,000, 2400m, very soft turf) on Sunday.

The victory carried a powerful sense of symbolism. Since the death of His Highness the Aga Khan in February, his daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, has assumed leadership of the famed operation, and this, the fifth Arc triumph for the green-and-red silks, felt like a moment of legacy and continuity fulfilled. “Winning this race is very special, especially this year,” said a visibly moved trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, celebrating his first Arc success. “I have enjoyed big victories, but none compare to this.”

Drawn in stall two, Daryz enjoyed an ideal trip throughout, always tracking Minnie Hauk (1) and Sosie (Sea The Stars)(3), who dictated the tempo. At the top of the straight, the Irish-trained filly—sent off the heavy favorite—looked poised to put the race to bed, but Mickaël Barzalona timed his challenge to perfection, driving Daryz through the center of the course to get up in the shadow of the post by a head, stopping the clock in 2:29.17 on very soft going.

For Barzalona, who was named first jockey to the Aga Khan Studs last season, the moment was career-defining: “This is the kind of race you dream of winning as a child. To do it in these colors, with all the history behind them, is an enormous privilege.”

Byzantine Dream (Epiphaneia), the second choice in the betting, could not find his expected kick and finished out of the frame, while Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) fared best of the British challengers in fourth as Sosie held third. For Graffard, the experience of defeat at York in August—when Daryz was sixth in the Juddmonte International (G1)—proved crucial: “He needed that run to toughen up. He was never going to win, but that loss made him the professional we saw today.”

The victory also secured Daryz a “Win and You’re In” berth into the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf Oct. 31 at Del Mar, one of six automatic spots on offer during a spectacular Arc Day program.