Daryz’s thrilling comeback secures victory at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

PARIS (AP) — Daryz edged Minnie Hauk on the final straight in a tense finish Sunday to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s most prestigious flat race.

The three-year-old colt, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, trailed in second place with 200 meters left but came back strong to triumph by a head ahead of the favorite at the 2,400-meter Longchamp horse track.

“Daryz is a horse we’ve always held in high regard,” Graffard said. “He has that dazzling turn of foot, but he wasn’t mature enough for a race like the Jockey Club earlier in the season. We always thought that if we ever had a colt good enough for the Arc, it would be him.”

Sosie finished third in the race, having been fourth a year ago.

Daryz gave the Aga Khan family a record eighth victory in the Arc. Barzalona landed his first Arc win.

“Minnie Hauk made quite a lot of effort in front of me, and when Daryz pulled out from her slipstream, he showed tremendous fighting spirit,” Barzalona said.

“I didn’t know exactly when we’d get on top, but I never doubted that we would. She quickened more sharply than we did, but Daryz responded immediately — I could feel his strength and his reserves.”

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports

Daryz's thrilling comeback secures victory at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe | iNFOnews.ca
Daryz (11) ridden by Mickael Barzalona crosses the finish line to win the Qatar Arc de Triomphe horse race ahead of Minie Hauk ridden by Christophe Soumillon, behind, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Daryz's thrilling comeback secures victory at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe | iNFOnews.ca
Horses gallop during the Qatar Arc de Triomphe horse race, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 at the Longchamp horse track in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Daryz's thrilling comeback secures victory at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe | iNFOnews.ca
Mickael Barzalona , riding Daryz, reacts after winning the Qatar Arc de Triomphe horse race, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 at the Longchamp horse track in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.