Daryz produced a devastating show within the Paris sunshine to seize a second Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and set up his place amongst flat racing’s greats.
Solely three colts have returned to defend their crown within the Arc because the finish of the second world war, with none managing the feat since Alleged in 1978.
Nevertheless, Francis-Henri Graffard’s distinctive four-year-old eagerly grasped his second in time on the Bois de Boulogne, delivering his trademark flip of foot within the Longchamp straight beneath Mickael Barzalona to run down the gallant Bay Metropolis Curler and rating by a length-and-a-quarter.
The victory took the winner’s course file to a outstanding eight victories from 9 begins on the Paris venue, however hopes of seeing him making an attempt to finish a record-breaking hat-trick subsequent autumn had been swiftly expunged with a stud profession now awaiting the good son of Sea The Stars.
‘I used to be by no means anxious,’ mentioned proprietor Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who took over the racing operation of the Aga Khan Studs following the dying of her father final 12 months.
‘He has such a will to win, and such velocity, I used to be fairly relaxed.
Daryz has received back-to-back Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, cementing his place among the many flat racing greats
‘Final 12 months was particularly powerful as I used to be caught up within the second and nonetheless coping with the loss.’
Referring to her colt’s future, she added: ‘You get to the purpose the place you take a danger each time you run the horse.
‘His mom improved with age however would we would like him to coach on for one more 12 months? I’m undecided. He has different issues to do.’
Whereas Daryz’s proprietor was pretty relaxed all through, the good Graffard admitted to loads of pre-race nerves.
‘I actually felt the strain for the final fortnight,’ he mentioned.
‘I attempted to stay zen however it’s tough to take action and the load on my shoulders was monumental when he went into the stalls earlier than the race.
‘However he’s such an important champion that after he bought a transparent run I used to be extra relaxed.’
‘I’m a coach and I prefer to race, so I want to attempt for a 3rd time, however I do not assume I shall be allowed. I believe that will be an excessive amount of strain!
‘I do not assume he has to show the rest, it has been lovely to observe and it was lovely to observe a champion like him win a race like that.’
For George Scott, coach of Bay Metropolis Curler, defeat introduced combined feelings: ‘I may see Daryz coming. We got here up second-best to an excellent racehorse. Congratulations to the connections.
‘I’m pleased with our horse. He’ll go to the Champion Stakes now and hopefully we’ll get a little bit little bit of rain.’
Fellow UK raiders Pleasant Soul, Kalpana and Maltese Cross had been fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, however there was British Group 1 success on the cardboard for Karl Burke and rider Jack Nicholls with Miss Yechance within the Prix de l’Abbaye, whereas John & Thady Gosden claimed the Prix de l’Opera courtesy of the Christophe Soumillon-ridden Miss Scott.
