Barzalona and Graffard capture their first wins in Europe’s greatest race

The 2025 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe delivered every ounce of drama expected of the world’s most prestigious turf race, with Daryz surging late to edge out Ireland’s Minnie Hauk in a thrilling finish at ParisLongchamp. The margin — just a head — sealed a record-breaking eighth Arc victory for the Aga Khan family and marked a poignant first triumph for trainer Francis Graffard and jockey Mickaël Barzalona.

A son of Sea The Stars, himself an Arc hero in 2009, Daryz was perfectly positioned throughout the 2400-metre contest. Barzalona settled him behind the early leaders Hotazhell and Croix du Nord, stalking the pace as Christophe Soumillon sent Minnie Hauk forward turning for home. The pair locked horns over the final furlong, but Daryz — bred by the late His Highness the Aga Khan IV — found just enough on the line to prevail in a race that will be remembered for its balance of power, patience, and precision.

This victory carried deep emotional weight. The Aga Khan passed away in February, and his horses now run under the Aga Khan Studs banner. The winning colt’s pedigree — Sea The Stars out of Daryakana — was one of the final matings planned during his lifetime, uniting two champions of the Arc weekend.

With Daryz’s win, the Aga Khan family surpasses Juddmonte Farms’ late Prince Khalid Abdullah as the most successful owner in Arc history. Their triumphs now span nearly eight decades:

1948, 1952 – H.H. Aga Khan III

1959 – Prince Aly Khan

1982, 2000, 2003, 2008 – H.H. Aga Khan IV

2025 – Aga Khan Studs

For Graffard, who has trained from Chantilly since 2011, the result crowns a landmark season. Daryz’s Arc capped his 11th Group 1 victory of 2025, confirming his status as France’s leading trainer by prize money. It also ended a long wait for Barzalona, who, despite his Classic successes, had never previously won the Arc.

It was, too, a breakthrough for Sea The Stars, who at 19 finally sired his first Arc winner — a fitting achievement for a stallion descended from Urban Sea, the 1993 Arc heroine.

Official result — Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1, 2400m, ParisLongchamp)
1st: Daryz (Mickaël Barzalona)
2nd: Minnie Hauk (Christophe Soumillon)
3rd: Sosie (Stéphane Pasquier)
Time: 2m29.17s — Margins: Head, 5½ lengths, Head

Nemone Routh (Racing Manager, Aga Khan Studs):

"The Prince left us at the beginning of the year, and we didn’t know how this season would unfold. He’s clearly watching over us because we’ve won everything we could have dreamed of. We’ve never experienced a season like this. To win with this colt — whose two parents both won Group 1s on Arc weekend — is extraordinary. He was born to run this race. The fact that he has won it in this way is incredibly emotional.”