2025 Arc Hero Daryz is reportedly in fine fettle as connections begin to build him up for a repeat bid at Europe’s prestigious middle distance prize.
The son of Sea The Stars quickly developed into a leading contender over ten furlongs last season. A winner of his first four starts, he blotted his copybook in the Juddmonte International. However, following a prep race in the Prix du Prince d’Orange, he bounced back in the Arc.
Daryz looked somewhat bombproof this season, landing back to back Group 1 contests. He again failed on British soil, finishing third to Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. He still ran to a high level there, and connections believe he can return to the winners enclosure next month.
Speaking to the Press Association, via Racing TV, Agan Khan Studs racing manager Nemone Routh said: “He’s very well and he went on the grass for the first time since he came back from Ascot the other day and he looks great. He’s very relaxed and moving well and we’re very happy with him – he seems back in the zone.
“He had that bad blood test when he came back from Ascot. We had to treat him for that and he didn’t have time off as such. But we sort of backed off him a little to get over all that.
“The plan is to prepare him for Arc trials weekend. He’s such an exciting horse and it’s such a shame we missed that one thing going to Ascot. He didn’t quite show his true form that day.
“He wasn’t disgraced though and now back on his home turf – he just loves Longchamp. Hopefully if we can keep him right until then it will be exciting to see him back on the track.”
Improving Zaydann to avenge Daryz’ York mishap
With form figures of 1112111 at Longchamp, the French track is clearly a favourite of Daryz. It’s unlikely we’ll see him return to York, but his stablemate Zaydann could potentially make an appearance on the Knavesmire.
The grandson of Zarkava is unbeaten in five runs for Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs. After taking the Grand Prix Vichy last time out, he featured among the remaining Juddmonte entries.
Routh said: “The Juddmonte International wasn’t really an objective for him but we’ve kept him in at York. We’re sort of scratching our heads where we will go with him now. We just wanted to give ourselves the option.
“He would be up against Ombudsman and Constitution River. But those sort of races can easily cut up. You could end up with a four or five-runner race with pacemakers in there
“We’re still figuring out the best route to take with him. It will probably involve a conversation with Princess Zahra to make a plan. But we wanted to keep the York option open just in case she is tempted by that more than sending him internationally or going to Deauville.”