Daryz storms to back-to-back Arc de Triomphe titles at Longchamp

Daryz became the first colt in almost 50 years to retain the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, surging clear at ParisLongchamp on Sunday to defend the crown he won in 2025.

Not since Vincent O’Brien’s Alleged and Lester Piggott in 1977 and 1978 has a colt managed back-to-back wins in Europe’s richest flat race, and no horse has doubled up since Enable’s consecutive victories in 2017 and 2018. Mickael Barzalona gave the favourite a beautifully timed ride, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained four-year-old quickening past Bay City Roller at the furlong pole to win by one and a quarter lengths, with Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace third.

The success was a ninth Arc triumph for the Aga Khan Studs and came with a winner’s share of €2,857,000 from the €5 million purse — roughly £2.48 million. Daryz had beaten Bay City Roller in the Prix Foy trial earlier in the autumn, and the pair filled the same positions again in the main event.

“To win this kind of race twice proves that Daryz is an exceptional horse,” said Barzalona. “He showed his talent and that made the difference in the end.”

Graffard added: “He’s a good horse, he’s a champion. He doesn’t have anything else to prove.”

Sources: Reuters, The Gazette, Thoroughbred Daily News, SunSport results