Daryz Makes History With Back-to-Back Arc de Triomphe Triumphs 2026

Daryz made history on Sunday with back-to-back victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, becoming the first horse in 48 years to achieve the feat at Longchamp. The colt, ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, produced a devastating turn of foot to collar Bay City Roller inside the final furlong and seal a famous win.

A Historic Double at Longchamp

The last horse to win consecutive Arcs was Alleged in 1977 and 1978, with Lester Piggott in the saddle. Since then, the race has seen greats like Enable, Treve, and Sea The Stars, but none could match the back-to-back brilliance of Daryz. The uber-modernist grandstand at Longchamp rose to acclaim its first legend, and the atmosphere was electric as Daryz powered clear.

Barzalona, who had ridden Daryz to victory 12 months ago, was full of praise for his mount. "To win this kind of race twice proves that Daryz is an exceptional horse," he said. "It was a really tough race, it didn't go as we expected but he showed his talent and that made the difference in the end."

How the Race Unfolded

The pace was not strong early on, and Bay City Roller, under Oisin Murphy, disputed the lead for much of the way. Murphy had worked wonders to get Bay City Roller into contention from stall 15, while Christophe Soumillon on Aidan O'Brien's Diamond Necklace finished strongly into third from the widest draw of all. But unlike some recent runnings of the Arc, there was no sense that swapping the draws might have changed the result. Daryz, quite simply, proved himself a class apart.

Key Moments

• Daryz and Barzalona did not hit the front until inside the final furlong.
• They had been closing on Bay City Roller from well over a furlong out.
• The result was in no real doubt once Daryz found his stride.
• Diamond Necklace finished third, overcoming the widest draw.

Daryz vs. Recent Arc Winners

To put Daryz's achievement into context, here is a comparison of recent Arc winners and their back-to-back status:

While Treve also achieved back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2014, Daryz's victory is made more special by the 48-year gap since Alleged's double. The modern era has seen many great horses, but few have managed to scale the Arc summit twice in a row.

What Makes Daryz Special?

Daryz possesses a rare combination of speed and stamina, allowing him to quicken off a slow pace and sustain his run to the line. His turn of foot down the straight is reminiscent of the great Alleged, and his ability to win despite a tactical race speaks volumes about his class. Trainer and connections have carefully managed his career, and this victory cements his place among the legends of the sport.

Reaction from Connections

Barzalona was quick to deflect praise onto the horse. "He showed his talent and that made the difference," he said. "The pace was not strong, it was a tactical race, but he was the best horse." Oisin Murphy, who finished second on Bay City Roller, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Daryz's superiority. "He's a champion," Murphy said. "We got a great run, but Daryz was just too good."

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