Daryz is the toast of Paris after becoming the first colt in nearly half a century to win back-to-back Arcs, and it sounds as though that was his last act on the racecourse. Meanwhile, Newmarket’s Future Champions meeting is fast approaching, with the Fillies’ Mile and the Dewhurst to come, and Tattersalls’ October Book 1 is under way.
Here is the racing news today rounded up for Monday 5 October.
Daryz wins the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Daryz retained his Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, becoming the first colt to win the race in successive years since Alleged in 1977 and 1978. The 13/8 favourite was held up by Mickaël Barzalona in a steadily run race, before producing a withering run up the straight to beat Bay City Roller by a length and a quarter.
It was a repeat of the Prix Foy one-two, with George Scott’s 28/1 shot running a mighty race in second from stall 15. Diamond Necklace defied the widest draw of all to finish third for Aidan O’Brien at 10/1, having led into the straight, while 25/1 shot Friendly Soul was fourth for the Gosdens. Leading British hopes Kalpana and Maltese Cross had to settle for fifth and sixth respectively.
Francis-Henri Graffard was full of praise for both horse and rider: “He’s a champion. Mickael rode a beautiful race again. It’s so beautiful for the sport.” Barzalona admitted it was a rough race, but said “the horse deserved to win again.” It now appears that will be the last we see of the Aga Khan Studs’ four-year-old, with Princess Zahra Aga Khan indicating afterwards that Daryz will retire to stud.
For the full story from ParisLongchamp, read our Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe result report.
Fillies’ Mile and Dewhurst headline Newmarket’s weekend
With the Arc done and dusted, focus shifts back to HQ and the juveniles. Newmarket‘s Future Champions meeting gets under way on Friday 9 October with the bet365 Fillies’ Mile, a Group 1 over a mile for two-year-old fillies that so often throws up a Classic contender for the following spring.
The meeting continues on Saturday 10 October with the Darley Dewhurst Stakes, the Group 1 over 7f that regularly goes a long way towards shaping the following year’s 2000 Guineas market. Between them, the two races are the highlights of the juvenile calendar, and the line-ups will become clearer as the week goes on. Find out what else is coming up in our guide to the major horse races taking place in October.
More racing news
Over the jumps, attention is beginning to turn to Chepstow, whose Jumps Season Opener is one of the first real landmarks of the National Hunt campaign. The Welsh track’s showpiece meeting is headlined by the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, which has been won by the likes of Silviniaco Conti and Thyme Hill, and the Grade 3 Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle. As the nights draw in, the winter game is not far away.
Away from the track, Tattersalls October Book 1 is under way at Park Paddocks, with around 430 yearlings set to go through the ring. There is no shortage of blue blood on offer either. Lot 1, a Siyouni filly out of the Galileo mare Fabulous, comes from a dam who has already produced two Group 1 winners.
Racing today
The first and last race times below are from the live racecards when this draft was built. Check for late changes before publication.
Killarney — first race: 13:00 · last race: 17:05
Yarmouth — first race: 13:15 · last race: 16:40
Pontefract — first race: 13:30 · last race: 17:33
Stratford — first race: 13:41 · last race: 16:35
Fairyhouse — first race: 13:55 · last race: 17:25
Kempton — first race: 16:10 · last race: 20:15
Wolverhampton — first race: 16:26 · last race: 20:30
[View today’s racecards] · [Latest non-runners] · [Today’s results]