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Daryz and Mickael Barzalona (green and red) deny Minnie Hauk victory. (Dan Abraham/focusonracing.com)
Six Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series ‘Win and You’re In’ Races Held Oct. 5 at ParisLongchamp
Puerto Rico Makes All in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
Diamond Necklace Justified Favoritism in Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches
Asfoora Completes Sprint Double in Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines
Barnavara Lands The Spoils in Prix de l’Opera Longines
Maranoa Charlie Strikes in Qatar Prix de la Foret
Breeders’ Cup Release
PARIS – Aga Khan Studs SCEA’s Daryz (FR) gave the owner-breeder operation a poignant success when edging Minnie Hauk (IRE) in the 104th renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp, securing his spot in the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s richest race, was the showpiece of a spectacular card at ParisLongchamp, which featured six Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races.
The 3-year-old son of Sea The Stars (IRE) produced a breathtaking late surge to narrowly deny favorite the 3-year-old filly, Minnie Hauk, by a head, after she had initially stretched clear in the final furlong-and a half.
A very special Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe win for Daryz and the late HH the Aga Khan… @GraffardRacing | @AgaKhanStuds | @mickaelbarzalon #QPAT pic.twitter.com/JLLHQfDb18
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) October 5, 2025
Breaking from stall two, Daryz was ideally placed throughout a race once again shaped by the draw. Minnie Hauk, drawn in stall one, and Sosie (IRE), who finished third from stall three, were prominent throughout.
Byzantine Dream (JPN), the well-fancied second choice, travelled strongly under Oisin Murphy and threatened 2 furlongs out, but his challenge faded in the stretch. It was Minnie Hauk with Daryz in pursuit who emerged down the center of the course. In a thrilling finish, Barzalona timed his run to perfection, nudging Daryz’s head in front just as the line loomed.
Among the international runners, Giavellotto (IRE) posted the best British effort, staying on strongly to take fourth.
"We work all year to be competitive in these kind of races"
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 5, 2025
Mickael Barzalona reacts to winning a first Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe aboard Daryz… pic.twitter.com/EqkFEsdq5t
Francis-Henri Graffard, who celebrates his first Arc triumph, said: “This race has an amazing reputation, and it shows as when you win it it’s very, very special. I’ve had some big wins, but this one is very special especially this year.”
Graffard considers Daryz’s run in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York in August, when the 3-year-old finished sixth, to have played a part in the win. He explained: “He was tough. When I was planning to run at York, I said to Princess Zahra that 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 for the first time was very professional and mature.”
Written in the Stars… #SeaTheStars and #Daryakana both won races over Arc weekend in 2009.
— Aga Khan Studs (@AgaKhanStuds) October 5, 2025
Now their 3yo son #Daryz is the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero! pic.twitter.com/H68nDfxuiW
The Aga Khan’s renowned breeding operation has been overseen by his daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, since his death in February, and this win marks the fifth time the green and red silks have been carried to victory in the Arc.
Barzalona, who was appointed retained rider for the Aga Khan Studs at the Arc meeting last year, said: “It’s always this kind of race that you expect, and you hope to win. It’s the sort of race you have been watching since you were very young. To get into that circle of people who have won this race, in these colors as well, is a big privilege.”
Daryz completed the 1 1/2-mile contest in 2:29.17 over a course listed as ‘Very Soft’.
Puerto Rico Makes All in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith’s Puerto Rico (IRE) provided trainer-jockey combination, Aidan O’Brien and Christophe Soumillon, with an early Group 1 double when delivering a commanding performance to win the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (G1). The result follows his impressive maiden-breaking win in the Champagne Stakes (G2) at Doncaster, suggesting the step up to 7 furlongs has been the key to unlocking this colt’s potential.
The son of Wootton Bassett (GB) travelled smoothly at the front of the field and, when asked to quicken in the straight, surged 2 ½ lengths clear to defeat Nighttime (FR). It was a second consecutive runner-up finish for trainer Christopher Head, while Francis-Henri Graffard had to settle for third once again, this time with the favorite, Nayif (IRE).
On whether Puerto Rico will head for the Breeders’ Cup, O’Brien said: “I think it’s possible, it will depend on what the lads want to do, but it’s very possible because he’s strong, he’s mature and he’s experienced.”
Puerto Rico completed the 7 furlongs in 1:21.53 to earn an automatic berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
Diamond Necklace Justified Favoritism in Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches
The opening race on the day saw Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Westerberg’s Diamond Necklace (IRE) produce a dazzling performance to take the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches (G1) for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The unbeaten 2-year-old filly was the 11-10 favorite in the field of nine. Under a patient ride from Christophe Soumillon, she travelled in mid-division before making her move on the home turn, taking up the lead with little fuss and soon triumphing over Green Spirit to land the first Group 1 win of her career.
The daughter of St Mark’s Basilica (FR) completed the mile in 1:41.31 and gained an automatic berth into the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
Asfoora Completes Sprint Double in Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines
Asfoora (AUS) continued her thrilling European tour with an authoritative victory in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (G1), becoming the first Australian horse to win the prestigious French sprint. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Henry Dwyer’s star mare was sent off the 9-4 favorite to win her second Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race after landing the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York in August.
Though she had been beaten in Ireland since her York triumph, the 7-year-old mare bounced back in style at ParisLongchamp. Quickly secured a handy position on the inside of the 19-runner field, she travelled strongly throughout and hit the front in the final furlong, holding off a late challenge from Jawwal (FR), who took second, with She’s Quality (IRE) behind in third.
There was drama before the race began when Asfoora was nearly ruled out due to a mishap with her passport.
Dwyer commented: “It’s just surreal really. We had a couple of little pre-race issues; we had to work through those. We were within a minute and a half of not running – I had an Uber driver on a retainer of £200 to get it here in time.”
On the result, Dwyer added: “It means a whole lot, obviously. We came over last year to England wanting to try new things. A lot of Australian horses come over for the English summer and run at Royal Ascot, but not too many continue.
“This year we held her back a little bit and wanted to get to Ireland and France. The ground didn’t go in our favor in Ireland (seventh in the Sept. 14 Bar One Flying Five Stakes at The Curragh) and it didn’t completely today, but she was able to cope with it.
On future plans, Dwyer said: “She was entered in the Sceptre sale at the end of the year with Tattersalls, but at the last-minute Akram (El-Fahkri of Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd, owner) decided he’d prefer to race her on.”
Asfoora, sent off at odds of 10-3, completed the 5-furlong contest in 56.39 to earn an automatic berth in the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
Barnavara Lands The Spoils in Prix de l’Opera Longines
Alpha Racing owned Barnavara (IRE) hung on to clinch victory in the Prix de l’Opéra Longines (G1) under Shane Foley in a dramatic blanket finish.
The daughter of Calyx (GB) made all the running and held off a persistent challenge from Tamfana (GER), showing resilience and confirming the promise of her Moyglare ”Jewels” Blandford Stakes (G2) victory at the Irish Champions Festival.
The 3-year-old, who is trained by Jessica Harrington, then had to fend off late charges in a battle to win by a short neck over See The Fire (GB), with One Look (IRE) just a short head further back in third. Remarkably, less than a length separated the top five.
Bookmakers make Barnavara 8-1 for the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar (G1). Barnavara completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.52 to earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf).
Maranoa Charlie Strikes in Qatar Prix de la Foret
Bond Thoroughbred Limited’s Maranoa Charlie (FR) powered home to win the Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) for trainer Christopher Head. While the race is a ‘Win And You’re In’ for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), connections have indicated this may be his swansong.
In a convincing front-running performance under Aurelien Lemaitre, the 9-2 shot built on his placed efforts in the Prix Jean Prat (G1) at Deauville and Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (G1) at York. The colt was able to make the most of his draw and the favorable ground en route to a 1 1/4-length success from Zarigana (GB) and a breakthrough Group 1 victory.
On whether the Breeders’ Cup is being considered, Head said: “We all want to run in other countries and win races because the image we have internationally is way more important than what we have nationally, so, of course, it’s attractive.
“Definitely a mile race in America is not a problem for him, but the only question mark is the interest for him and his career as a stallion because we are looking to build a stallion for Mr. Bond and helping him become more powerful in the industry in the long term.”
Maranoa Charlie completed the 7 furlongs in 1:20.80.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Asfoora to start in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, for Maranoa Charlie to start in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile, for Barnavara to start in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, for Daryz to start in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, for Puerto Rico to start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and for Diamond Necklace to start in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
