Reigning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion Daryz delivered a poignant Group One victory at ParisLongchamp on Thursday evening, producing a commanding display to capture the Prix Aga Khan IV.

Formerly known as the Prix d'Ispahan, the 1,850-metre contest was recently renamed in tribute to the colt's legendary owner and breeder, His Highness the Aga Khan, who passed away in February 2025. Adding another top-level success to his glittering resume, Daryz proved he is firmly on track for an ambitious summer campaign.

Barzalona masterclass seals the deal

British raider Qilin Queen ensured a true test by setting a strong early tempo, with the Pau-trained Leffard tracking the pace and Daryz settling comfortably into third under a watchful ride.

Turning into the home straight, Cristian Demuro made his move aboard Leffard to challenge the fading British leader. However, Mickaël Barzalona simply angled Daryz to the outside and effortlessly cruised alongside the new leader. Waiting patiently to balance his mount before asking for a full effort, Barzalona finally pushed the button, and the race was instantly put to bed.

Daryz lengthened beautifully to pull well clear of a game Leffard, who held on for second. Back in third, the Wertheimer & Frère-owned Sosie produced a late surge to narrowly deny the brave front-running Qilin Queen in the final strides.

Barzalona’s patient tactics proved crucial in helping the champion cope with the sharp drop in distance, successfully coming down to 1,850 metres after conquering the 2,400-metre Arc and the 2,100-metre Prix Ganay.

Graffard relieved as Royal Ascot awaits

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard admitted feeling the weight of expectation heading into the ParisLongchamp feature but was thrilled with how his stable star handled the drop in trip.

"It was naturally a relief to win today," Graffard said. "Given the comeback performance he had produced, he almost wasn’t allowed to lose. This race was clearly part of the programme we had imagined for him. Situations like this always bring extra pressure, similar to what we experienced with Calandagan in Dubai earlier this year."

Graffard also offered fascinating insight into the colt's optimal distance, noting that keeping him at a mile and a half is not the priority.

"Races over 2,400 metres are demanding, especially for a horse who can sustain his acceleration for so long," the Chantilly handler explained. "I have always preferred shortening him in trip rather than continuing exclusively over longer distances. What matters today is that the public was able to see his turn of foot, the same acceleration he displayed in the Arc and then in the Ganay. That is what makes him a special horse."

The Aga Khan family’s champion will now cross the Channel for his major British target, the Group One Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17.

Following the Royal meeting, the plan is to give the four-year-old a well-deserved summer break. He is expected to return in the Qatar Prix Foy on September 6, serving as his final prep run before his ultimate objective of the season, a bid for back-to-back victories in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 4.

"What is certain, however, is that we cannot ask this of him all year long," Graffard confirmed. "At some stage he will need a break, probably during the summer. We also know he enjoys the autumn and could again be extremely effective at that time of year. So we will need to be sensible in order to bring him back fresh afterwards."

Image: France Galop