Daryz pulls off rare back-to-back Arc de Triomphe win

Daryz has achieved a rare feat in horse racing by successfully defending his title at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris, becoming a back-to-back winner of the prestigious race. Jockey Mickael Barzalona said afterwards that the race had been tough and had not unfolded exactly as expected, but that the horse showed enough class to make the difference when it mattered.

A gamble that paid off

Most elite colts are retired from racing at age three to begin lucrative breeding careers, making the decision to keep last year's Arc winner in training at four a considerable gamble. That risk has now paid off handsomely for owners Aga Khan Studs, who collected a winner's cheque worth more than £2.5m for this year's victory.

A strong season

Over the course of this season, Daryz added two more Group One victories to his record, and last month he won his Arc preparation race in impressive fashion. Trainer Carlos Graffard, celebrating his second success in the race, praised Daryz as a good horse and a true champion. He said he normally tries to stay cautious before such races given how difficult they are to win, but this time he knew that if everything went right for the horse along the way, he would be very hard to beat because he is a genuine champion.