Arc Weekend Stories: Victories For Daryz, Barnavara and Puerto Rico As always, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp was full of thrills, spills and magical racing moments. The big event went to home-based star Daryz in the colours of the Aga Khan for trainer Francis Graffard, with Aidan O'Brien's Minnie Hauk pipped in the closing stages. There was a big winner for Jessica Harrington and lots of other narratives. We've picked out three key stories from Arc weekend in Paris. Daryz lands emotional Arc win Given that one of racing's true patriarchs, the Aga Khan, passed away in February of this year, the sight of his colours being carried to success in a race with which he had such a storied association was poignant. Daryz, trained by Graffard, who was born and raised in Burgundy, ran down O'Brien's filly Minnie Hauk in the final strides. The Aga Khan's daughter Princess Zahra was on hand to witness the win and she carries on his legacy with tremendous pride. Four times the famous green and red silks had been carried to Arc glory on his watch, and this was a record eighth time the family has triumphed in Europe's most prestigious contest. "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," Princess Zahra said. "I hope my father saw it. He was always so happy when he won the Arc. Now, I know that feeling too." For Graffard, a lifelong dream was also realised in the most famous Parisian real estate for racing enthusiasts. "The emotions are magnified — by the crowd, the atmosphere and given these colours carry such history," said the winning trainer. "When I was a boy in Burgundy, watching races with my grandfather, I dreamed of these horses, these silks and this race. It was just a dream but now it's happening to me — it's very special." Barnavara hits high note in Opera performance The Prix de l'Opera was won by Barnavara for trainer Jessica Harrington under the steer of her long-time ally Shane Foley. Barnavara, says Foley, wears her heart on her sleeve and she needed to show the heart of a lion to fend off the challengers in the Fillies' and Mares' Group 1 over a mile-and-a-quarter. She was keen in front and made all but she looked as though she was going to get swamped late on as first Tamfana and then the likes of See The Fire, One Look, Wemightakedlongway and Grand Stars charged at her. It was a clever ride from Foley, keeping the pace easy in front and setting the race up ideally for his gutsy partner. As they passed the line, Barnavara had every sinew stretched out and she needed it to get the slenderest verdict with a blanket covering the first seven home. Harrington, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 but given the all-clear last year, continues to defy the odds and Foley was first to pay tribute to the brilliance of the veteran trainer. "She's an unbelievable lady," Foley said. "To think what she's been through and she's fought it all off. It's a big team there behind the scenes and she's an unbelievable lady to work for." Puerto Rico shines for Ballydoyle As is so often the case, Aidan O'Brien's juveniles were dominant on the big stage. The Ballydoyle supremo and Christophe Soumillon completed the juvenile Group 1 double on Arc day as Puerto Rico dominated the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. He made all and held off Nighttime and Rayif for a two-and-a-half-length success. It was a tenth success in the race for the trainer, to go with O'Brien's six wins in the fillies' Prix Marcel Boussac after Diamond Necklace sparkled earlier in the afternoon. It was, however, only the second time the trainer had won both on the same card, 20 years after Rumplestiltskin and Horatio Nelson landed their wins.
