With the eyes of the world focused on ParisLongchamp Oct. 4 for France’s prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), Aga Khan Studs homebred Daryz (FR) made history as the first male horse to win the race multiple times since Alleged in 1977-78.
Further, the French-bred clinched himself a spot in the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on a day that offered six races at Longchamp and two races at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
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The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races, the winners of which receive automatic starting positions with fees paid into a corresponding race of the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held at Keeneland Oct. 30-31.
Daryz’s historic win moved him into an elite pantheon for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who picked up his first Breeders’ Cup win in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) last year with Gezora (FR).
Jockey Mickael Barzalona pulled off an A+ ride on the son of Sea The Stars (IRE), taking the punches as they rolled as Daryz found himself in the back half of the field early. Barzalona had to wait for space to open at the top of the stretch, and once he was in the clear the 4-year-old colt came running. He surged past Bay City Roller (IRE) and Diamond Necklace (IRE) to win by 1 1/4 lengths, completing 1 1/2 miles in 2:27.11.
Retirement could likely be next for the Arc conqueror as his résumé already sets up a promising career at stud. Should connections decide to compete in the Breeders’ Cup as his last hoorah, he would aim to be just the second Arc winner to be victorious in the World Championships—the other being a two-time Arc winner herself, Enable (GB).
Graffard also found success earlier in the card with Juddmonte homebred Amusingly (GB), who defeated the boys in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) with Colin Keane aboard.
The Lagardere offered a Challenge Series berth to the $1 million Brown Advisory Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), but that race is restricted to colts and geldings. Should they aim the daughter of No Nay Never instead to the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), the entry fees will be covered but she will not receive an automatic entry.
Daryz Wins Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
True Love, Miss Yechance Beat the Boys to Earn Breeders’ Cup Berths
The Breeders’ Cup does seem a definitive goal for Coolmore homebred True Love (IRE), who earned her way into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) against males with a triumph in the Prix de la Foret (G1).
It took nearly every inch of the 7-furlong contest for the daughter of No Nay Never, with Ryan Moore aboard, to run down Nighttime (FR) by a head with her stablemate Puerto Rico (IRE) another head back in third.
Yet despite the tight margin, the mood was celebratory for trainer Aidan O’Brien as it showed a bounce back in form for this year’s One Thousand Guineas (G1) winner after a pair of off-the-board finishes. The Racing Post cited O’Brien as “eager” to take on the challenge of the Breeders’ Cup.
Al Leith Racing Club’s Miss Yechance (IRE) also managed to defeat her male counterparts in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp and won a Challenge Series berth to the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
Bred in Ireland by Tally Ho Stud, the daughter of Cotai Glory (GB) is trained by Karl Burke and was ridden by Jack Nicholls. She prompted the pace in the straight 5-furlong sprint and held on to defeat Shiri (FR) by a neck with Mission Central (IRE) also closing strongly.
Prix de la Foret Replay
Thoroughbred Corporation Takes Two Challenge Series Races
It was also a great day for the Thoroughbred Corporation as their green and white striped silks visited the winner’s circle in two Challenge Series races. Three-year-old filly Miss Scott (IRE) won the Prix de l’Opera, clinching a spot in the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) for trainer John and Thady Gosden, and Green Empress (IRE) won the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) to clinch her spot in the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
The racing operation has been revived in recent years by Prince Ahmed bin Salman’s son, Prince Faisal, and earning a pair of Breeders’ Cup runners would certainly give them reason to chase a return to a top-level winner’s circles in the United States.
Christophe Soumillon gave Miss Scott a patient ride and the daughter of Night of Thunder (IRE) was brave while improving her position between horses. Once in the clear down the stretch, she took command with 300 meters to go and went on strongly to defeat Precise (IRE) by 1 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/4-mile Opera.
Soumillon was also aboard Green Empress as she got a clear trip in mid pack for the early stages. However, she got shoved outside by Data (GB) as that one searched for room. Yet, it did not impact Green Empress’ resolve as she kept her momentum and outran Data for a head victory in the 1-mile Boussac.
Miss Scott Takes the Prix de l’Opera Longines
Fully Subscribed, Agate Shine at Keeneland
Two more spots were up for grabs across the Atlantic Ocean in Kentucky as the Challenge Series concluded its American series at Keeneland, host of this year’s Breeders’ Cup.
Gaining valuable experience over the track in the Spinster Stakes (G1), Fully Subscribed earned her second Challenge Series win for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) as she easily defeated top 3-year-old filly Counting Stars by 3 1/4 lengths with 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) champion Immersive another 6 lengths back in third.
Bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud and owned by Klaravich Stables, Fully Subscribed has settled in well to Keeneland. Jose Hernandez, a longtime assistant to trainer Chad Brown, said the daughter of Tiz the Law seemed more relaxed while saddling at Keeneland compared to Saratoga Race Course where she won the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) in August.
That resulted in one of the best performances of her career as she continues to improve late into her 4-year-old season. Jockey Flavien Prat said post-race that he has felt her mature over the course of the season and is hopeful that will pay off in a Longines Distaff win.
Meanwhile, while Fully Subscribed was able to sail easily in a three-horse field, Dede McGehee’s Kentucky homebred Agate had to navigate much tougher seas, but still showed courage while winning the Bourbon Stakes (G2) and clinching his spot in the $1 million Brown Advisory Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione entered the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile contest on the rail aboard the Kelsey Danner trainee, and his hole closed as horses drifted in front of him. After steadying, he rerouted to the outside and kept the son of 2014 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Karakontie (JPN) running forward. He engaged as he split rivals and surged forward, defeating Bold Leadership by an impressive 1 3/4 lengths.
The gelding had three prior starts under his belt, tied for second most in the field, and that experience paid off as he showed mental maturity to navigate a large field, which he will likely experience on Future Stars Friday at the Breeders’ Cup.
