‘I don’t think that was the real Daryz’ – top trainer Francis Graffard pinpoints reasons for Arc hero’s below-par Ascot effort
Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here
Francis Graffard believes that a combination of travel and a nerve-sapping 24 hours in the racecourse stables contributed to a slightly flat third-placed effort from Daryz in Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Both trainer and jockey Mickael Barzalona had been left scratching their heads in the unsaddling enclosure in the immediate aftermath of the race but, with 24 hours to reflect and confirmation that last year’s Arc hero did not appear to have suffered any physical issue, Graffard feels he has a better handle on what went wrong.
“He seems to have travelled home well having set off on Wednesday evening,” said the trainer. “Even when I went to saddle him before the race he seemed to have his head down a little bit, he didn’t seem quite his usual self. I think he was feeling the journey in his legs and he also found the day before in the racecourse stables took its toll a little. I think he used up some energy that way too.
Daryz toils in third behind TrawlermanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
“That and not getting the ideal trip in the race all combined to mean he didn’t run to 100 per cent of what he’s capable of. He wasn’t embarrassed but I don’t think that was the real Daryz.”
Graffard was speaking after Gilded Prize had bounced back from a disappointing run in the Prix Saint-Alary to run a fine third to Earth Shot in the Ribblesdale.
“It was a really good performance from a filly who is still quite physically immature,” said Graffard. “She travelled into the race well and had a great trip so she was beaten fair and square but it was a very good run in a Royal Ascot Group 2.”
Graffard has another busy day on Friday, with Samangan and Kimi Rey flying the flag in the Commonwealth Cup, another Juddmonte chance Repel running in the Sandringham, and Moojeed taking his chance in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap.
Read this next:
‘Mind-blowing’ Ombudsman leaves superstar rivals trailing in Prince of Wales’s showdown to join the Gosden greats
‘It’s beyond anything we could have dreamed’ – Joseph O’Brien takes aim at legendary father in race to be Royal Ascot top trainer
‘Just when you think he’s run out of miracles to perform, he raises the bar even higher’ – how Aidan O’Brien became racing’s supreme record-breaker
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Published on 19 June 2026inRoyal Ascot
Last updated 12:16, 19 June 2026
Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here
