Daryz continues impressive run with Prix Ganay win

Daryz was brilliant winning the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris last October in his final start of 2025. For his first start of 2026, Daryz was equally as impressive in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp.

The $352,000 Prix Ganay at 1 5/16 miles was the first of a planned three-race spring campaign for Daryz. That includes the Group 1 Prix Aga Khan at Longchamp on May 21, a race formerly known as the Prix d’Ispahan, and the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in Britain on June 17.

Daryz won the Prix Ganay by 3 1/2 lengths, paying $3.40 in American pools as a strong favorite in a field of five. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, Daryz stalked the pace to the quarter-pole before moving closer to the front. Daryz took the lead with a furlong remaining and was not threatened late.

“Today we had the perfect race for his return,” Graffard told Longchamp publicists. “The pace wasn’t very strong, but he stayed perfectly responsive to Mickael’s instructions. In the straight, he built his acceleration well.”

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Daryz outfinished Bright Picture, who closed from last to finish 1 3/4 lengths clear of Aventure, a 5-year-old mare. Arrow Eagle and First Look completed the order of finish in the small field.

Bright Picture and Aventure are owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer. Cualificar, second in the 2025 French Derby but 15th in the 2025 Arc, was scratched.

Daryz, a 4-year-old colt by Sea the Stars, has won 6 of 8 starts. The 2026 Arc on Oct. 4 is a long-range goal. The last horse to win consecutive runnings of the Arc was Enable in 2017-2018.

“Since I’ve been training, Daryz is clearly one of the best horses I’ve been responsible for,” said Graffard, 48, who began training in 2011. “I’m lucky to work with very good horses, but he is truly exceptional: well-bred, with a remarkable physique, especially a superb hindquarter. I’m really delighted.”

Daryz races for the family of the late Aga Khan, who died in February 2025. Daryz is the first Arc winner to race the next year since 2021 victor Torquator Tasso, who had one win in five starts in 2022, including a third in the Arc.

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