Daryz is poised to become the first colt since Alleged in 1978 to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice, following his strong performance in lead-up races and a favorable draw position for the prestigious event at ParisLongchamp on October 4. The four-year-old, trained by Francois-Henri Graffard, secured stall five for the €5 million race, Europe’s richest at 2,400 meters.
Daryz, a son of Sea The Stars, has demonstrated dominant form at ParisLongchamp, including a win over Minnie Hauk exactly a year ago and a convincing victory in the Group 2 Prix Foy on September 6. Graffard remains optimistic, particularly with the prospect of the race being run on good or fast ground, conditions that suit Daryz’s racing style. “I much prefer quicker ground so that he can really show his turn of foot,” Graffard said, noting that the colt’s success on soft ground last year spoke to his exceptional ability. His confidence was further boosted after a sharp workout at Chantilly on September 29, which jockey Mickael Barzalona described as displaying increased athleticism compared to previous races.
In addition to Daryz, Graffard and the owners, Aga Khan Studs, will also field Varandir, a three-year-old Zarak colt who won the Group 2 Prix Niel on September 6. Varandir starts from gate four and has shown steady progress, with his only defeat in five starts coming in a close fourth place in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp in July.
Among the leading challengers is Maltese Cross, another Sea The Stars progeny, trained by William Haggas. With a draw in gate 11, Maltese Cross remains a strong contender after a successful summer campaign that included a win in York’s Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes under a 5-pound penalty. Haggas, who previously trained Sea Of Class — a narrow second-place finisher in the 2018 Arc — praised Maltese Cross’s development and adaptability to quicker ground. “In every single race he has had this year, he has been better than the previous one,” Haggas said, expressing confidence in the horse’s chances.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, scheduled as the fifth race on the France card for Singapore Pools, is set to start at 10:05 p.m. Singapore time on October 4. With top contenders including Daryz, Varandir, and Maltese Cross, the race promises a competitive showdown as horses vie for one of Europe’s most coveted flat racing titles.