Daryz completes back-to-back Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe wins at ParisLongchamp
Daryz became the first back-to-back winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe since Enable in 2017 and 2018 when he repeated his 2025 success at ParisLongchamp on 4 October 2026, producing a late burst to take the race, the richest Flat race in Europe.
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained four-year-old is only the ninth horse to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe twice. He repeated his 2025 victory to claim the title again and in doing so became the first colt to double up in the Arc at ParisLongchamp since Alleged achieved the feat 48 years earlier. Graffard is the trainer credited with preparing Daryz for both wins.
Mickael Barzalona, who rode Daryz to victory in 2025, took the mount again and manoeuvred the colt through a 16-strong field to hit the front in the closing stages. Daryz started the race as the 13-8 favourite. He won by more than a length, finishing ahead of Bay City Roller (28-1), with Aidan O'Brien's 10-1 chance Diamond Necklace in third place.
"That's what you need to win this kind of race," Barzalona told Sky Sports. "It was a tough race and didn't go quite as we expected, but he showed his talent to make a difference in the end."
Keeping last year's Arc winner in training at four was described in the report as a gamble because most top-class colts are retired at three due to lucrative breeding fees. That decision delivered a substantial return for the owners, Aga Khan Studs. The owners collected the winner's cheque of more than £2.5m.
Daryz added two further Group One victories to his tally this season and won his Arc prep race in grand style last month.
"He's a good horse, he's a champion," said jubilant winning trainer Graffard, following his second success in the race. "It's rare that I am confident in the race - I always try to keep my feet on the ground because it is so hard to win these races. "But I knew that if things were going right for him during the trip he was very hard to beat because he is a real champion."