DARYZ wins the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Daryz became the first colt in almost 50 years to win Europe’s most prestigious race, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in successive seasons with a brilliant victory at ParisLongchamp.

Not since the Vincent O’Brien-trained Alleged and Lester Piggott in 1977 and 1978 has a colt managed to defend his title. Once Mickael Barzalona pulled the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Daryz out to make his run, the result looked inevitable.

The Prix Foy proved the key form guide, as Daryz beat George Scott’s Bay City Roller in that trial. Those two filled the same positions again in the main event, with Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace running a fine race in third from stall 16.

Barzalona said the victory proved that Daryz is an exceptional horse. He noted that the pace was not strong and the race was rough, but the horse showed his talent and deserved to win again.

Graffard said Daryz is a champion and that he knew things were going right before the race. He added that the horse would be very hard to beat.

Green Empress provided Joseph O’Brien with another big-race success when narrowly holding off Data to win the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. Never out of the first two in her career, she was paying the ultimate compliment to Sun Goddess, who has been the only filly to beat her on three occasions.

Ridden confidently by Christophe Soumillon, Green Empress hit the front with half a furlong to run and looked set to win comfortably before Christopher Head’s Data made her pull out all the stops close to the line.

O’Brien said it was really special to have a Group One winner on the day. He noted that Green Empress has been progressive and has only been beaten by Sun Goddess all year. He described her as a miler that might go ten furlongs at some stage.

The success was the latest Group One triumph in a stellar year for O’Brien, who added that the stable is very lucky to have the support of great people and a wide variety of owners.