🔗 Share this article Daryz Surprises Hot Favorite Minnie Hauk in Thrilling Finish at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe In a remarkable display of stamina and pedigree, the promising colt passed the hot favorite Minnie Hauk in the final strides of the 104th Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this weekend. This win came in the famous red and green colors previously worn by the late breeder, who died in February. He is born for such races,” stated a family member post-race. From both parents, his father and mother are top-level winners over this trip, making him destined to get the mile-and-a-half and I think it showed today.” An Impressive Ascent for Daryz The race was just the seventh start of the colt’s career, all during his third-year campaign, and his first over 2,400 meters. He is the latest Arc winner for the racing and breeding operation established in 1921, a tradition that stretches back to 1948, and additionally the first winner in the distinctive colors since an unbeaten mare’s success in 2008. This is a great experience and today was exactly what we aimed to accomplish,” said Francis-Henri Graffard. “My horse was extremely determined to close with Minnie Hauk. Winning the Arc today in this silks is just crazy. Before, it was only a fantasy, but today it’s happening for us.” Main Contributors in the Triumph Jockey Mickaël Barzalona, who famously taking the Derby as a teenager over a decade ago, emerged from the pack to run down the Irish trainer’s female horse by a narrow margin. This was a first Arc success for both Barzalona and Francis-Henri Graffard, sealing an excellent year for the latter. Previously in July, Graffard also took the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with a different runner, which got prevented from lining up on Sunday. Among the rare disappointments for the stable this season was Daryz’s disappointing run during summer against another rival. However, Graffard believes that race contributed to toughen the colt for the autumn. “When I was planning to race there, I told Princess Zahra, ‘we won’t victorious, but we need to build his resilience for the autumn,’” the trainer explained. “And I think, the loss in that race helped us to win today because my horse was, now, fully focused and experienced.” Jockey’s Thoughts and Future for the Runner-Up Barzalona expressed immense joy after his extended wait for an Arc winner is over. We always rated him,” Barzalona said. “When we went to York it was a messy contest, but he came back much improved. In his mind and in condition, he has progressed a lot and on Sunday he was very relaxed. He moved smoothly, he picked up very well. Everything combined in this race to secure victory.” The favorite filly, unbeaten in her previous starts this season, performed up to her best and finished well ahead of the third-placed runner. There is every chance that she will stay in training next season, with another attempt to the Paris track as a main goal of her agenda. The jockey on the favorite, previously piloted a past winner to success in identical silks, briefly appeared to have made a winning move entering the last stretch. No reasons,” Soumillon said. “When I felt the winner coming in the last 200 meters, I kept a little in reserve for the finish and we raced together, but Daryz has a strong dash and thrives on the track conditions. Without him out, she would have been among the most impressive Arc-winning female horses, but that’s racing.” Future Plans and Final Words There are no plans so far for Daryz, but the last comment on the 2025 Arc undoubtedly belongs to the breeder, the third generation of her family to welcome back an Arc winner. “This is the ultimate achievement for a breeder,” she declared. My father was constantly so over the moon to win an Arc de Triomphe, and now I know how he felt.”