Royal Ascot Beckons for Arc Hero Daryz After Dominant Prix Ganay Victory

Daryz underlined his status as one of Europe's premier middle-distance performers with a dominant victory in Sunday's Prix Ganay at Longchamp, cementing his place for an ambitious皇家阿斯科特 campaign.

The four-year-old, trained by the Yard and ridden by regular pilot Frankie Dettori, tracked the early pace before delivering a devastating turn of foot approaching the distance. He quickened clear of runner-up Bubble Walker to win by a comfortable two lengths, with the 1.5/1 favourite failing to fully stay the 1,800-metre trip on testing ground.

Trainer confirmed after the race that Royal Ascot now beckons for the chestnut entire, with the Prince of Wales's Stakes the primary target. "He's a proper horse and has always shown the temperament for the big stage," said the winning trainer. "The Ascot trip at that time of year will suit him down to the ground."

Daryz had captured thePrix de l'Arc de Triomphe last October in dramatic fashion, prevailing by a neck in testing conditions at Chantilly. HisPrix Ganay success represents his first victory of the 2026 campaign, having finished a close second in his seasonal debut over the same course and distance in March.

The victory also confirmed Dettori's return to peak form, the veteran jockey clinically delivering his pre-race instructions in tricky conditions. "He felt tremendous today – his best trip of the season so far," Dettori noted in the winner's enclosure.

Connections will now step Daryz up to 2,000 metres for his Ascot engagement, with a potential rematch against leading Irish raider Hurricane Lane adding further spice to what promises to be a vintage renewal of the Prince of Wales's fixture in June.