San Francisco Frontiers - 'Champion' Daryz wins second successive Arc in fine style

The French star stormed clear under Mickael Barzalona to become the first two-time winner since Enable in 2017-2018 and first colt (male) since Alleged almost half a century ago to achieve the feat.

Daryz had to battle to get a clear run but once Barzalona managed to find a path he surged down the outside to overhaul English outsider Bay City Roller.

Bay City Roller took second with Irish filly Diamond Necklace third -- those two making a mockery of being in the feared outside stalls of the 16 runners.

For the Daryz team it was unbridled joy.

"I was never worried," said Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who took over the racing operation of the Aga Khan Studs after the death of her father last year.

"He has such a will to win, and such speed, I was pretty relaxed.

"Also Mickael is so calm and I have such faith in him.

"This is a huge achievement and I congratulate the whole team including Francis (Graffard, the trainer)."

Princess Zahra said the win had made her think of her father, who enjoyed great success in the Arc including with the fabulous unbeaten Zarkava, who triumphed in 2008.

"Last year was especially tough as I was caught up in the moment and still dealing with the loss," she said.

The esteem that the Aga Khan's colours, green with red epaulettes, is held in was reflected in the huge roar from the crowd of around 30,000 as Daryz launched his challenge.

"Why do the crowd love our colours?" said the princess.

"Well we have been around since Noah's flood," she added. "I think it is because of 104 years of history."

She was though adamant as to whether Daryz would return next year to try and become the first three-time winner.

"No, I doubt it very much," she said. "He has other duties to perform.

"Each time you run him there is a risk."

- 'True champion' -

For Graffard, 49, it was more a sense of relief.

"I really felt the pressure for the last fortnight," he said.

"I tried to remain zen but it is difficult to do so and the weight on my shoulders was enormous when he went into the stalls before the race.

"But he is such a great champion that once he got a clear run I was more relaxed."

Graffard, who has has developed into the dominant trainer in French racing, praised Princess Zahra for keeping Daryz in training.

"The odds are always against four-year-old colts," he said.

"Thanks to Princess Zahra for deciding to try to prove he was a true champion.

"It was a big decision to make and put a lot of pressure on me to make it possible.

"It was beautiful to witness such a great finish and a champion showing the world how good a horse he is."

Barzalona, 35, said he didn't have a moment's worry even though he was boxed in turning into the finishing straight.

"I was calm because I knew what a champion I had under me," he said.

The jockey shrugged off the accolade of having won the Arc twice on the same horse.

"It is my job, it is what I am paid to do," he said.

The two most fancied British raiders, Kalpana and Maltese Cross, finished fifth and sixth.

Japan's hopes of finally winning the race they have dreamt of capturing for over 50 years never looked likely to be fulfilled.

Admire Terra finished 11th and Meisho Tabaru faded after setting the pace to fill 14th spot.

K.Hernandez--SFF