Daryz retains Arc crown as stud future casts doubt on third bid

Daryz won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday for the second year running, becoming the first colt to retain the race since Alleged in 1978. Ridden by Mickaël Barzalona and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, he beat Bay City Roller, with Diamond Necklace finishing third, according to the Guardian's race report.

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The decisive move came late in the straight. Bay City Roller had been among the leaders for much of the race, but Daryz closed on him before taking over inside the final furlong. Barzalona said the pace had been slow and the race rough, with the contest unfolding differently from the way connections had expected. He credited the horse's ability with overcoming those difficulties.

Graffard also described a troubled early passage, saying Daryz repeatedly lost position and ended up farther back than intended. His acceleration ultimately allowed him to recover. The trainer said he had been confident beforehand because preparations had gone well, while acknowledging the pressure he had felt going into a race in which so much could go wrong.

The placed horses overcame difficult starting positions. Oisin Murphy brought Bay City Roller into contention from stall 15 for trainer George Scott, while Christophe Soumillon guided Aidan O'Brien's Diamond Necklace into third after starting from the widest stall. Scott praised both Bay City Roller's performance and Murphy's ride, with the runner-up having raced on ground quicker than ideal.

Daryz is only the sixth colt to win consecutive editions of the Arc, the Guardian reported. His success also adds to another championship-winning season for Graffard, whose prize-money total is more than twice that of runner-up André Fabre. The victory followed Daryz's win in the same race 12 months earlier and repeated the strong finishing performance that had secured that first success.

Whether Daryz will have the opportunity to pursue an unprecedented third Arc remains uncertain. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who runs Aga Khan Studs, indicated afterwards that a move to breeding was under consideration. She pointed to the risk involved each time a horse races and questioned keeping him in training for another year. Her comments suggest a stud career may come next, but did not confirm a final retirement decision.