Graffard has no doubts about Daryz: “He is probably the best horse I’ve ever trained”

PARIS, France (Special for Turf Diario).— The defending champion completed his final breeze ahead of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) and will arrive at ParisLongchamp seeking to become the first male since Alleged to capture back-to-back editions. His trainer asserts that he is in even better form than a year ago and that good ground will only enhance his devastating turn of foot

CHANTILLY, France (Special for Turf Diario).— Francis-Henri Graffard knows full well the weight of his words, and this time he chose to hold absolutely nothing back. After observing on Tuesday the final major exercise for Daryzahead of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), he declared the defending champion as “probably the best” horse he has ever had under his care.

The magnitude of such a statement increases considering he also conditions Calandagan (Gleneagles), who during 2025 established himself as the highest-rated horse in the world.

However, Graffard believes Daryz possesses a different level altogether. “When he is right, things go his way, and he finds a good rhythm, he is probably the best I’ve had,” he asserted. “Physically he is an impressive horse, with a very powerful hindquarter that allows him to produce immense acceleration.”

Daryz completed his work accompanied by three lead horses. He sat last under jockey Mickael Barzalona before finishing up comfortably.

“Mickael was very pleased, and the horse had an absolutely normal recovery,” explained the trainer.

It will be the final major stepping stone before Sunday, when Daryz attempts to enter a space reserved for very few in the history of the Arc.

Only seven horses have managed to win Europe's premier race in back-to-back years, and no male has accomplished the feat since Alleged (Hoist the Flag), victor in 1977 and 1978.

Better Than a Year Ago

Daryz has topped the market since his dominant victory on September 6 in the Prix Foy (G2), a tune-up in which he confirmed what Graffard has maintained for quite some time: despite having won the 2025 Arc on soft ground, his true ability comes to light on a firmer surface.

“He is a 2,000-meter horse who loves good ground, with a massive turn of foot. The only reason he was able to win an Arc on soft ground over 2,400 meters is because he is an extraordinary horse,” he explained.

For that reason, the lack of rain in Paris holds no concern for the champion's connections.

On the contrary. “I really prefer him on good ground because that's where he can produce all his speed. I am very happy that the race is going to be run in those conditions.”

Twelve months ago, Daryz needed to dig into his deepest reserves to capture the Arc, prevailing by just a head over Minnie Hauk (Frankel). Now, Graffard considers him an even more dangerous racehorse.

Part of that evolution stemmed from a difficult decision taken over the winter. Daryz had begun to display an increasingly headstrong nature during his mornings, prompting the trainer to replace his usual exercise rider with Jean-Philippe Bresler, a veteran work rider.

“It was difficult to take the horse out of the hands of someone who had done an excellent job with him; he had just won the Arc. But Jean-Philippe is a wonderful man and a very good rider. With horses of this caliber, you have to make adjustments at the right moment, and he knows how to do it seamlessly.”

The result was immediate. According to Graffard, since the change, Daryz has remained far more focused, with the entire team working to keep him inside “his own bubble.”

The partnership worked so well that Bresler, whose retirement was scheduled for Thursday, October 1, decided to postpone it until the conclusion of the champion's campaign.

That campaign could extend well beyond the Arc. Connections acknowledge that international options remain on the table for Daryz, though another victory on Sunday could reshape those plans. Should he pull off the historic feat, the prospect of retiring him to stud at the Aga Khan Studs might prove more appealing than traveling to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup.

Varandir, the Other Ace

Graffard will not rely solely on the favorite, either. The trainer will field another contender carrying the Aga Khansilks: Varandir (Zarak), winner of the Prix Niel (G2) over the same 2,400 meters at ParisLongchamp.

The colt had previously finished fourth, closely behind Maltese Cross (Sea the Stars), in the Grand Prix de Paris(G1), and his trainer feels his development since then has been immense.

“Physically and mentally he has improved tremendously throughout the year,” he explained. “I had chosen the Niel for his autumn return and I went there with a horse that had genuinely progressed. Since that race, he has done nothing but move forward.”

According to Graffard, Varandir holds genuine claims to be competitive. However, all eyes will inevitably be on Daryz. Treve (Motivator) and Enable (Nathaniel) proved over the past decade that repeating in the Arc remains achievable.

To find the last male capable of doing so, however, one must go all the way back to the aforementioned Alleged in 1978. Daryz will have the opportunity on Sunday to bring an end to a 48-year wait, and Graffard will arrive at ParisLongchamp convinced that he has never had a finer horse in his stable.