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he Qatar Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lived up to all expectations on Sunday at ParisLongchamp, with a thrilling battle in the final 200 metres between the Irish favourite Minnie Hauk (Frankel) and the French contender Daryz, whose sire Sea The Stars won the Arc in 2009.
After enjoying a perfect trip behind the early leaders Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) and Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black), Minnie Hauk was the first to make her move — closely tracked all the while by Daryz.

The two went stride for stride in a superb duel, and it was only on the line that the Aga Khan Studs’ colt prevailed — by a head! Two thousand four hundred metres of racing decided by just a few centimetres…!

This victory first belongs to his breeder-owner, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, who passed away in February of this year.

His horses now run under the Aga Khan Studs banner, but it was his breeding vision that was celebrated on Sunday — the mating between Sea The Stars and Daryakana having been planned during his lifetime.

With this triumph, the Aga Khan family now holds the all-time record for wins in the Arc, with eight titles — surpassing the late Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, with whom they previously shared the record.

The family’s victories came in 1948 and 1952 (H.H. Aga Khan III), 1959 (Prince Aly Khan, son of Aga Khan III), 1982, 2000, 2003, 2008 (H.H. Aga Khan IV, son of Prince Aly Khan) and 2025 (Aga Khan Studs).

The success also crowns France’s in-form trainer, Francis Graffard, based in Chantilly, who has now captured 11 Group 1 races this season — a world-class tally. With this Arc victory, he is assured of finishing 2025 as France’s leading trainer by prize money for the first time in his career.

It was also a day of firsts for Mickaël Barzalona, who landed his maiden Arc win, and for Sea The Stars (Cape Cross), standing at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland. Remarkably, the stallion had never before sired an Arc winner — despite being a son of the great Urban Sea (Miswaki), herself a winner of the race.

What the players said:

Nemone Routh, racing manager

“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.”

Francis Graffard, trainer

“We’ve had big victories before, but today I realise just how special the Arc truly is. The emotions are magnified — by the crowd, the atmosphere, and especially by these colours with such history.

When I was a boy in Burgundy, watching the races with my grandfather, I dreamed of these horses, these silks, and this race! This sport is built on emotion — and today is the ultimate example.

Daryz is a horse we’ve always held in high regard. 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.

To get here, we took the long road — even crossing the Channel to run in the Juddmonte International! He needed experience, and I preferred that to an easy prep like the Prix Niel with few runners. You have to risk defeat in order to win later. Even though York didn’t go his way, he learned a lot from that trip — from the race, the travel, the atmosphere. And today, it’s all paid off.”

Mickaël Barzalona, jockey

“It’s a privilege to wear these famous colours, and I try to give my best every time. I’m thrilled to win my first Arc for such an historic ownership.

The race went perfectly — the horse was in a rhythm where he was doing everything easily. We were in our own bubble. 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. 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.”

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, owner

“We could all see that the horse was relaxed. Mickaël positioned him perfectly, right behind Minnie Hauk. In the straight, under that driving rain, I thought: ‘Make it or break it!’ — it was all or nothing.

He was bred to win a Group 1 over 2,400 metres. He has both the stamina and the turn of foot for this race — both his parents did it. The ground didn’t bother him at all.

I also want to thank Francis for bringing him here through such an unusual but effective campaign.

As a breeder, and as part of a legacy that stretches back more than a century, winning this race is the pinnacle of what one can achieve. I hope my father saw it… He was always so happy when he won the Arc. Now, I know that feeling too.”

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Minnie Hauk (2nd), Ireland

“I think the filly ran an exceptionally good race.”

Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for Wertheimer & Frère, owners of Sosie (3rd) and Aventure (unplaced), France

“We’re very happy with Sosie — he ran a great race. The ground might have been a bit firm for him, but he ran very well. He won’t stay in training; he’ll be retired to stud, though his destination hasn’t yet been decided.

As for Aventure, Maxime said she just had no spark today. We don’t have an explanation yet, so we’ll take our time before making any decisions.”

Marco Botti, trainer of Giavellotto (4th), Great Britain

“The horse was in great form and had a good trip. It’s a pity about the rain — on good ground, he probably would have finished third. I’m very pleased with him nonetheless. Hopefully the effort in this soft ground won’t take too much out of him before his next target, the Hong Kong Vase (G1). Still, to finish fourth in the Arc is a big achievement.”

Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, trainer of Byzantine Dream (5th), Japan

“The horse ran very well. He proved he has Group 1 ability and can compete at this level — back home, he’s more of a Group 2 performer. We’re delighted with his run.”