Daryz pulled off one of the most incredible feats in horse racing this Sunday, becoming the first colt in 48 years to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in consecutive years. This isn’t just another win, folks, we’re talking about a horse who repeated his 2025 success with a late burst that sealed victory in Europe’s richest Flat race. The four-year-old, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, is the first colt to double up in the Arc at ParisLongchamp since Alleged did it way back in 1977 and 1978. That’s a drought Daryz absolutely smashed.
The £2.5m Gamble That Paid Off Big Time
You want to talk about stakes? Owners Aga Khan Studs made a wild call. Keeping last year’s Arc winner in training at age four was considered a serious gamble. Most top-class colts get retired at three because those breeding fees are lucrative, you know? But this team bet on Daryz, and man, did it pay off. They’re walking away with a winner’s cheque of more than £2.5m. That’s not pocket change. And it’s not like Daryz has been slacking this season either; he’d already snagged two other Group One victories and absolutely crushed his Arc prep race last month. Trainer Graffard knew what he had. He called Daryz a “good horse,” a “champion,” and admitted that while he usually keeps his feet on the ground because these races are so tough, he “knew that if things were going right for him during the trip he was very hard to beat because he is a real champion.” Talk about confidence!
A Champion’s Ride to History
This wasn’t some fluke. Jockey Mickael Barzalona, who also rode Daryz to victory last year, was back in the saddle and put on a clinic. He expertly maneuvered Daryz through a packed 16-strong field, hitting the front right when it mattered most in the closing stages. While last year’s win needed a nail-biting photo finish, this time Daryz left no doubt, claiming victory by more than a length. Bay City Roller (28-1) finished second, with Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace (10-1) in third. Daryz, the 13-8 favourite, showed everyone why he earned that title. Barzalona summed it up perfectly: “That’s what you need to win this kind of race. It was a tough race and didn’t go quite as we expected, but he showed his talent to make a difference in the end.” When you’ve got a champion like Daryz, sometimes all you need is that raw talent to make the difference.
Daryz now stands as just the ninth horse ever to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice, and the first to pull off consecutive wins since Enable did it in 2017 and 2018. This horse is a legend in the making. What’s next for this champion? We’ll all be watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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