'It felt like a complete circle, like this perfect moment' - the incredible inside story of the horse born to win the Arc
Scott Burton visits the Aga Khan Studs to talk to Francis Graffard, Mickael Barzalona and those who know Daryz best
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But standing on the side of a sand gallop deep in the Chantilly forest, it is almost impossible not to be drawn to the presence of Daryz as he limbers up in preparation for his bid to become just the ninth thoroughbred to win two Arcs.
Watching the Aga Khan Studs' blue-blooded first 15 swing by on number one of two interval canters, he stands out as the first among equals. Looking back at what my Racing Post colleague Thomas Asteriades had observed through the viewfinder as he filmed for the short documentary on Daryz published by the Racing Post this week, the beauty is almost overwhelming.
The words of BBC commentator Jim McGrath, spoken at the climax of the Arc won by Daryz's father, Sea The Stars, come flooding back: "Perfection in equine form. The horse of a lifetime."
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Copy- 'I'm told I can be heard four miles away when I give one of my staff a rollocking - but I hope I don't rage against the machine quite like I did'
- 'Dad was crying and said it was his proudest day on earth. It really got to me - I don't think I've ever felt that level of emotion before'
- 'I was scared - I didn't know how I'd end up or what my next steps would be'
- ‘He was the most majestic Flat horse I’ve seen and his story was way bigger than Frankel’s - people today don’t realise how extraordinary it was’
- FREE TO READ: 'When we had those big winners you think the job's easy - but by God you get older and realise you didn't know what was happening'
- 'I'm told I can be heard four miles away when I give one of my staff a rollocking - but I hope I don't rage against the machine quite like I did'
- 'Dad was crying and said it was his proudest day on earth. It really got to me - I don't think I've ever felt that level of emotion before'
- 'I was scared - I didn't know how I'd end up or what my next steps would be'
- ‘He was the most majestic Flat horse I’ve seen and his story was way bigger than Frankel’s - people today don’t realise how extraordinary it was’
- FREE TO READ: 'When we had those big winners you think the job's easy - but by God you get older and realise you didn't know what was happening'