Running through a rainstorm and under a Paris rainbow, Daryz wore down favored Minnie Hauk to win a surprisingly stirring renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday at Longchamp.
Giving four pounds to the 3-year-old filly, 3-year-old Daryz got a perfect ride from first-time Arc winner Mickael Barzalona, who saved ground much of the 1 1/2-mile trip from his inside draw, got onto the back of Minnie Hauk and jockey Christophe Soumillon with 500 meters to run, and, after drafting behind her, switched outside and outkicked the filly to win by a head.
The thrilling final 400 meters came in an Arc that lacked both standouts and, for the most part, intrigue, in the weeks leading up to it. As usual, focus turned to Japan-based horses, and, as usual, they go home having failed to provide Japan with a first Arc win.
Byzantine Dream ran best of the three Japan runners, finishing fifth, though both he, Croix du Nord, and Alohi Alii broke from disadvantageous wide posts. The winner came from post 2, Minnie Hauk from post 1, and Sosie – a distant third, 5 1/2 lengths behind the top pair – from post 3.
Minnie Hauk, supplemented into the race on Tuesday, went off the 5-2 favorite in the world pool while facing 16 runners. She narrowly failed to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his third Arc after winning the Oaks, the Irish Oaks, and the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks in her three previous outings.
It probably was only a matter of time before Daryz’s trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, won his first Arc. Graffard had three runners in Sunday’s race and has built one of Europe’s top stables, and he brought Daryz up to his career-defining victory in interesting fashion.
Daryz was bred by the Aga Khan, one of the world’s great owner-breeders, who died this past February. His daughter, Zara Aga Khan, has maintained the stable since her father’s death.
Daryz didn’t make his career debut until April 5, winning four races in quick succession, culminating in a June 29 score in the Group 2 Prix Eugene-Adam, his group stakes debut. After a break of nearly two months, Daryz traveled to England and, unsuited by circumstances, finished last of six in the Group 1 International at York. He bounced back with a second behind Croix du Nord in his Arc prep, the Prix Niel, and, as surely Graffard intended, peaked on the big day.
Barzalona slotted Daryz into the third flight, racing behind Minnie Hauk, who sat a perfect pocket trip as Croix du Nord cut out the pace. Barzalona, not wanting to get trapped, eased a path or so off the fence after about seven furlongs, going into a holding pattern as the field swept into the false home-straight at Longchamp, then began the true turn for home. Soumillon, subbing for the injured Ryan Moore, timed his departure from the rail perfectly, switching out with 500 meters remaining to get outside the pacesetters and into the clear. Barzalona had found his target, and he kept Daryz just behind Minnie Hauk for about 100 meters before beginning the sprint for home.
Six-year-old world traveler Giavellotto turned in a strong performance finishing fourth, just a head behind Sosie, the race’s second choice. Daryz paid his American backers $35.20 to win.
Daryz is by Sea the Stars and out of Daryakana, by Selkirk. There were no immediate reports of plans for his future, though Minnie Hauk, if nothing else, stays in training at age 4. Giavellotto is expected to make a December start in the Hong Kong Vase.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.