Daryz chases another Group 1 victory in the race renamed in honor of Aga Khan IV

The Arc hero looms as an overwhelming favorite in the Prix d’Ispahan, now renamed the Prix Aga Khan IV, on a race day filled with symbolism for one of the most influential dynasties in the history of European racing

PARIS, France (Special to Turf Diario).- Everything appears perfectly aligned for Daryz to shine once again this week at ParisLongchamp. And it is not only about current form, ratings, or past achievements: there is also a powerful emotional layer surrounding his upcoming appearance.

The outstanding trainee of Francis-Henri Graffard will be the overwhelming favorite for the Prix d’Ispahan (G1-1850m), which beginning this season has been renamed the Prix Aga Khan IV, in tribute to the legendary owner-breeder who passed away in February 2025 and who founded the historic Aga Khan Studs.

And it is difficult to imagine a more fitting horse to inaugurate this new era than Daryz himself.

Winner of last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) and recent hero of the Prix Ganay (G1) in his seasonal return, the son of Sea The Stars is enjoying the finest form of his career and arrives backed by outstanding recent performances.

In the Ganay, contested over 2100 meters in April, he once again displayed his superiority with a commanding victory that confirmed he had lost absolutely none of his brilliance following his Arc triumph.

Now cutting back to 1850 meters, and once again partnered by Mickael Barzalona, he will attempt to secure the third Group 1 victory of his career.

The race itself also carries deep symbolic meaning.

First run in 1873, the Prix d’Ispahan originally took its name from the ancient Persian capital of Isfahan—“Ispahan” in French—linked to the same royal dynasty from which the Aga Khan family descended. More than 150 years later, the tribute now finds continuity through the race’s new official title.

And the famous green silks with red epaulettes are currently enjoying a truly extraordinary moment.

Because alongside the global dominance of Calandagan (Gleneagles), officially ranked the world’s best horse of 2025, have come the recent top-level successes of Daryz and also Rayif (Sea the Moon), latest winner of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1).

On paper, the most dangerous threat to Daryz appears likely to come from the stable of Andre Fabre, represented by the experienced Sosie (Sea the Stars).

Winner of the 2025 Hong Kong Vase (G1), Sosie recently resurfaced in the FWD QEII Cup (G1) at Sha Tin, where he finished third behind Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in a highly meritorious performance against one of the best horses on the planet.

With that race already under his belt, Fabre’s runner is expected to improve significantly and shapes as the principal danger to the favorite.

Also set to line up is Leffard (Le Havre), trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, winner of the 2025 Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and coming off a strong comeback effort when runner-up to Bright Picture (Intello) in the Prix d’Harcourt (G2).

Still, he finished clearly behind Daryz in last year’s Arc and will need to produce considerable improvement to reverse that form.

Completing the compact field will be outsiders Qilin Queen (Pinatubo) and Divine Chrisnat (Bow Creek).

The major ParisLongchamp card could also produce another success for the Aga Khan-Graffard-Barzalona combination in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (G1-3100m), where favorite status belongs to Asmarani.

The staying son of Sottsass arrives off three consecutive victories in long-distance races in Paris and will once again meet Double Major (Daiwa Major), whom he has already defeated in each of those clashes.

The afternoon also includes the Prix du Palais-Royal (G3-1400m, turf), where the horse to beat is Group 1 winner Lazzat (Territories), who was last seen finishing defeated in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) at Meydan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

But inevitably, all eyes will be focused on Daryz.

Because beyond his exceptional current form, this Thursday he will also be running for something larger still: preserving at the highest level the legacy of one of the most influential families in the history of world racing.