Daryz edges Minnie Hauk in tremendous Arc finish

Daryz denied Minnie Hauk in a pulsating finish to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Daryz was hot on the heels of the strong-travelling Minnie Hauk and Christophe Soumillon as they hit the front front two furlongs out in Europe’s premier middle-distance event.

As the crack Aidan O’Brien-trained filly tried to assert, Daryz – who was last in the Juddmonte International at York in August – loomed up on her outside, with the pair racing neck and neck all the way to the line.

Daryz just shaded it in a photo at the famous winning post, while Sosie made late ground to finish third, having been fourth 12 months ago, and Giavellotto ran a cracker to finish fourth for Marco Botti.

Graffard, winning the race for the first time and in the colours of the late Aga Khan associated with so many great horses, said: “This race has an amazing reputation and it’s true that when you win it, it’s very, very special. I’ve experienced some big wins, but this one is very, very special, especially this year.

“He was (so tough). When I was planning to run at York, I said to Princess Zahra ‘we are not going to win, but we need to toughen him up for the autumn’ and I think the defeat at York helped us to win today because my horse was, for the first time, very professional and mature.

“It’s a great experience and today was exactly what we planned to do. My horse was very tough to catch up with the filly.

“To win the Arc today in these colours is just crazy. In the past, it was just a dream, but now it’s happening to me.”

Barzalona – also claiming his first Arc – said: “We’ve always rated him. When we went to York it was a messy race, but he came back a lot stronger. Mentally and physically he has improved a lot and today he was very relaxed.

“He travelled very well, he picked up very well. Everything combined today to win the race.

“This is the kind of race you always hope to win, the kind of race you have been watching since you were very young. It’s a privilege to be part of the Aga Khan team, I try to do my best every day. We work all year to be competitive in these kinds of races.

“I thought Minnie Hauk was going to give me a tough race, but my horse was coming. They’re two very talented horses.”