Daryz wins £4.1m Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Daryz galloped to glory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Daryz was hot on the heels of the strong-travelling Minnie Hauk and Christophe Soumillon as they hit the front front two furlongs out in Europe's premier middle-distance event.

As the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly tried to assert, Daryz – who was last in the Juddmonte International at York in August – loomed up on her outside.

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With the pair racing neck and neck all the way to the line. Daryz just shaded it in a photo, while Sosie made late ground to finish third, having been fourth 12 months ago, and Giavellotto ran a cracker to finish fourth for Marco Botti.-1.

The victory came just eight months after the Aga Khan, one of the sport's great owner-breeders, died in February at the age of 88.

His famed breeding empire has since been run by his daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan.

The first three home were all drawn low which is a big advantage.

The main hope of Japan, Byzantine Dream. attracted market support before the race and went off second favourite under Oisin Murphy.

He looked dangerous with two furlongs to run but could not sustain his run.

Graffard, winning the race for the first time, said: "This race has an amazing reputation and it's true that when you win it, it's very, very special.

"I've experienced some big wins, but this one is very, very special, especially this year.

"He was (so tough). When I was planning to run at York, I said to Princess Zahra 'we are not going to win, but we need to toughen him up for the autumn' and I think the defeat at York helped us to win today because my horse was, for the first time, very professional and mature."