Daryz Overcomes 50 Years of Arc History

Defending champion Daryz has secured his place among the greats of European racing after becoming the first colt in nearly half a century to win successive editions of the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, producing another devastating finish at ParisLongchamp to complete a historic double for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, jockey Mickaël Barzalona and owner-breeder Princess Zahra Aga Khan. Twelve months after overpowering Minnie Hauk in the closing stages of the 2025 Arc, the son of Sea The Stars again delivered when it mattered most, overcoming a tactical contest that appeared unlikely to play to his strengths before accelerating past Bay City Roller in the final furlong and scoring by 1.25l, with Diamond Necklace filling third. According to theguardian.com, Daryz becomes the first male horse to win consecutive Arcs since Alleged achieved the feat in 1977 and 1978, and only the ninth horse to win Europe’s most celebrated middle-distance contest twice. Barzalona was content to settle Daryz in midfield as the race developed at a steady tempo, an arrangement that threatened to favour those racing closer to the speed, but the reigning champion’s superior turn of foot ultimately rendered the tactical concerns irrelevant once he was presented for his challenge. The victory also provides another landmark for Graffard during an exceptional season at the highest level and extends the Aga Khan family’s extraordinary association with the Arc, while Daryz’s record now demands comparison with some of the defining European performers of the modern era. His success is particularly notable because repeat victories in the Arc remain exceptionally rare despite champions such as Enable and Treve achieving the feat among females in more recent times. Princess Zahra Aga Khan indicated afterwards that a bid for an unprecedented third consecutive victory is unlikely, with Daryz expected to retire to stud, making the triumph an entirely fitting finale should his racing career indeed be complete. The five-year-old has therefore done what no colt since Alleged could manage: return to Paris twelve months after conquering Europe’s best and prove that the first victory was no isolated peak, adding a second Arc to a career that now places him permanently within the race’s most exclusive company.