With rain falling, a rainbow curving over ParisLongchamp and the large crowd cheering the leaders down the stretch, Daryz overtook favorite Minnie Hauk in the final strides and won $5.8 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) on Sunday.
A field of 16 started over a soft turf course and by the time they came around the final turn and hit the stretch, it was 3-year-old filly Minnie Hauk (9-4) ahead of them all.
But Daryz (12-1), under Mickael Barzalona, stayed in hot pursuit, cutting into the margin as the two dueled down the middle of the track and poked his head in front just before the two hit the wire.
“It's always this kind of race that you expect and you hope to win, it's the sort of race you have been watching since you were very young,’’ Barzalona told The Racing Post. “To get into that circle of people who have won this race, in these colors as well, is a big privilege. We work all year to be competitive in these kinds of races.”
It was the first Arc victory for French trainer Francis Graffard and Barzalona’s and it came in the colors of the late owner-breeder Aga Khan.
“In the past this was just a dream, and now it’s happening to me,’’ Graffard said.
The 104th running of the Arc awards the winner a fee-paid, automatic berth for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1, but it’s not clear whether Daryz would be making the trip to America.
The weather likely played a role in the outcome as well as post positions. The winner left from post 2, Minnie Hauk from the rail, and third place-finisher Sosie from post 3. Two of the three contenders from Japan drew outside posts and were not a factor.
For the three contenders from Japan, The Arc was the finales of a day that featured six Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In" series.
“This race has an amazing reputation, and it shows as when you win it it’s very, very special. I’ve had some big wins, but this one is very special especially this year.”
The Aga Khan, one of racing’s most famous owners/breeders, died in February at the age of 88. His daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, now oversees the operation.
WHAT A RACE! 🤩
DARYZ WINS THE GROUP ONE QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE! 🏆🇫🇷#QPAT pic.twitter.com/qr2qiOMT3j
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 5, 2025
Minnie Hauk, trained by Irish whiz Aidan O’Brien, is owned by the Coolmore group that includes Michael Tabor.
“Seconditis is a terrible disease, that’s all I can say! It’s just one of those things, we’re very proud of Minnie Hauk she just got caught." Tabor told The Racing Post. “She’s run a blinder. I thought she’d won and I’m sure she’s got a great future, and I look forward to her running many more times."
Giavellotto was fourth, followed by Byzantine Dream, Arrow Eagle, Kalpana, Leffard, Quisisana, Hotazhell, Aventure, White Birch, Gezora, Croix Du Nord, Cualificar, Alohi Alii and Los Angeles.
The Arc was the finale on a day that featured six Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In’’ races at ParisLongchamp.
The other results of the “WAYI’’ races: Prix Marcel Boussac (Diamond Necklace); Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Puerto Rico); Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Asfoora); Prix de l’Opera (Barnavara) and Prix de la Foret (Maranoa Charlie).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
