Daryz dazzles in Arc de Triomphe to catch hot favourite Minnie Hauk in dying strides

"Pedigree was the key to the puzzle of the 104th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe here on Sunday, as Daryz stayed on strongly to collar Minnie Hauk, the favourite, in the storied green-and-red colours of the late Aga Khan IV, his breeder, who died in February. He was born for this, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, his daughter, said afterwards. On both sides, sire and dam, they were Group One winners at the distance, so he was born to get 2,400m."

"Soumillon, who also rode Dalakhani to victory in the same colours in 2003, was a major player in the latest running too, and briefly seemed to have made a winning move on Minnie Hauk heading into the final furlong. Ultimately, though, it was in a supporting role, as Mickael Barzalona and Daryz emerged from the pack to chase down Aidan O'Brien's filly by a head, with Sosie, fourth last year, going one place better this time around but nearly six lengths behind the runner-up."

"Sunday's race was just the seventh start of Daryz's career, all in his three-year-old season, and his first at a mile-and-a-half. He is the seventh Arc winner for the racing and breeding operation founded by the third Aga Khan in 1921, a sequence that stretches back to Migoli's success in 1948, and also the first winner in the green and red silks since the unbeaten Zarkava's success, with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, back in 2008."

Daryz stayed on strongly to collar Minnie Hauk and win the 104th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the green-and-red colours of the late Aga Khan IV, his breeder. Both sire and dam were Group One winners at 2,400m, giving Daryz the pedigree for the distance. The race was his seventh start, all in his three-year-old season, and his first at a mile-and-a-half. Mickael Barzalona rode Daryz to victory by a head over Aidan O'Brien's filly, with Sosie finishing third about six lengths back. The win delivered first Arc successes for Barzalona and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and extended the Aga Khan operation's Arc record.

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