Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe reaction as Daryz edges Minnie Hauk in a battle of the big guns at Longchamp

Two furlongs out they engaged. What looked an open 104th Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe beforehand had turned into a two-horse race. Minnie Hauk, a three-year-old daughter of Frankel, hit the front under Christophe Soumillon. Daryz, a three-year-old son of Sea The Stars, was sent in pursuit under Mickael Barzalona. A great horse race ensued.

When did you know? It wasn’t until very late that Daryz mastered her. But master her he did in the pouring rain, a rainbow over-arching the big screen that stood shining beyond the winning post at ParisLongchamp. It had been a beautiful bright sunny day, but the heavens opened just before the Arc, sending thousands into cover under the golden grandstands.

Despite the rain, the sunglasses remained on Aidan O’Brien. His vision won’t have impaired him seeing Minnie Hauk run a great race. Super Soumi looked on a Frankie Dettori-esque run, winning with his first three rides on the card - ‘and now he’s on the favourite for the Arc!’ - exclaimed the course announcer, like defeat was out of the question.

When the Belgian pulled Minnie Hauk out to challenge at the top of the straight it seemed likely. When she kicked a few lengths clear heading to the final furlong she looked the winner, but only briefly, for Barzalona had her in his sights and was gaining with each stride.

As the famous old green silks, darkened by the rainfall, flashed past Soumillon on the post, the victory margin a head, I wonder if his thoughts turned to Zarkava, a monstrous filly he won the Arc on for the Aga Khan back in 2008? That was his second and last Arc, seventeen years ago. Now it was Barzalona’s turn.

And this was an Arc of firsts. A first Arc win for Barzalona. A first Arc win for the sire, Sea The Stars. A first Arc win for the trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, who has had a most memorable campaign. A first Arc win for the Aga Khan family since Zarkava, too, a poignant win after the Aga Khan’s death just in February.

France beat Ireland a head and they were in a race of their own, five and a half lengths clear of the rest. For Britain, fourth home 40/1 shot Giavellotto was as close as they came. For Japan, the wait goes on. Byzantine Dream ran a super race under Oisin Murphy for fifth from stall 15, the size of his task underlined by the fact the first three home were drawn in the three inside stalls.

But this was Daryz’s Arc. Thanks to Barzalona, Graffard and the Aga Khan family.

Born to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

“He was born for this,” said an emotional Princess Zahra in the aftermath.

“On both sides, both sire and dam, classic distance, Group 1 winners. He was born to get 2400 metres and it showed today. He had the stamina and the turn of foot to get the trip and I thought Mickael gave him a lovely ride.

“Francis was very patient, gave him quite an unusual season, always giving the horse the best chances to show himself and he brought the horse to the races today in tip-top form.”

Let’s talk about that sire and dam. Sea The Stars, an Arc winner, and Daryakana, a Prix de Royallieu winner, both on the same October Sunday in 2009. Daryz had a mile and a half at Longchamp flowing through his veins. Daryakana had had offspring with Dawn Approach, Dubawi, Frankel and Shamardal, and with some success, but it is Sea The Stars that has provided the magic cross.

It seems remarkable Daryz is his first Arc winner. But he’d been oh so close before, notably with Taghroodha and particularly with Sea Of Class who was beaten a smidgen by Enable at Longchamp in 2018.

Sea The Stars’ attributes were plentiful. Class and stamina were two, but he was so relaxed in his races, as well, allowing himself to be his best. He’s passed plenty of those traits onto Daryz, and his cool temperament on Arc day allowed Barzalona to ride him with supreme confidence.

“I had a really good race,” a beaming Barzalona explained in the translated press conference. “Very quickly my horse found its rhythm and that’s very important. I had no issues. I could see Minnie Hauk was making a great effort in front of me but I was quite confident in the final straight.

“He immediately reacted and I knew he had a lot to give.”

As retained rider for the Aga Khan family Barzalona has naturally forged a link with Graffard and for the Chantilly trainer this was the icing on the cake. His 11th Group 1 victory of the season, big-race success is coming thick and fast, but a first Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe clearly meant the world to him.

Graffard does it his way

It was forged in an unusual way, too. Unraced at two, four wins by the end of June culminated in victory in the Prix Eugene Adam. Then he was beaten over 12 lengths in last in the Juddmonte International at York, before he got back on the Arc trail with a promising second to Croix Du Nord in the Prix du Prince d'Orange at Deauville on September 14.

This was Daryz’s first go at the distance, as well. In 2023 Ace Impact was the first horse since Saumarez in 1990 to have his first run over 1m4f when winning the Arc. Now there have been two in three years.

“We have been lucky already to win in big meetings,” said an immaculate Graffard afterwards.

“Amazing races, but this race is very special in terms of emotions. As a young racing fan I was dreaming of a race like that with these colours. It’s very special to win the Arc de Triomphe for the Aga Khan family.

“The defeat at York helped us to win today.

“And as you say in England, when the stable is in good form you can run the cat."

It seems Minnie Hauk just ran into a perfectly-charged machine, trained to the minute by a French handler who is dominating his domestic scene while picking off international targets at will.

It is with hope she stays in training to have another crack at the Arc at four. This was a good Arc, but if something was missing it was more established stars. She could turn into one of those in 2026 – if she’s allowed to.

O’Brien says he will take stock. The owners will decide in the winter.

“She ran a great race,” he said. “We’ll get her home and see how she is, we’ll see how she is in the next couple of months (before deciding if she stays in training).”

Two furlongs out they engaged. Sinew to sinew, progeny of the great Frankel and Sea The Stars gave us an Arc to remember. Whether they would trouble the great ghosts of Longchamp is to be discussed, but they were far too good for those alive and well in the 2025 renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. And it’s Daryz, by a head.

More from Sporting Life

Free bets

Racecards

Fast results

Full results and free video replays

Horse racing news

Horse racing tips

Horse racing features

Download our free iOS and Android app

Football and other sports tips

Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Click here to read article