Aa Aa Aa

Japan’s quest to secure a first Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory will continue for at least another 12 months after their team once again came up heartbreakingly short at Longchamp on Sunday behind the regally bred Daryz.

Steady rain on Friday and Saturday turned the track “tres souple” – very soft – and, as has often been the case with Japanese runners, they simply could not find their best form on that wet surface.

As the rain tumbled around Longchamp, Daryz and Minnie Hauk came away to fight out the Arc with the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained colt – by 2009 Arc winner Sea The Stars out of that year’s Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana – getting the upper hand under Mickael Barzalona.

They raced five and a half lengths clear of Sosie in third, with Hong Kong Vase winner Giavellotto finishing fourth for Sha Tin-based Andrea Atzeni.

It was the seventh Arc winner in the green and red colours of the Aga Khan and the fifth for the late Aga Khan IV, who died in February. It was a first for both Graffard and Barzalona.

“I knew that in these silks, it was certainly more than possible to win,” a jubilant Barzalona said. “I’m lucky to be able to wear them and follow in the footsteps of the great jockeys who rode in them.

“I’ve been second, third, always there and now, here it is. I’ve always adored this horse, we’ve always had a lot of hope with him. When he accelerated, it was just incredible. C’est incroyable!”

Byzantine Dream, heavily backed late, was best of the Japanese contingent in fifth with Croix du Nord in 14th and Alohi Alii in 16th.

The trio’s unplaced efforts mean that 38 Japanese runners have contested the Arc since 1969 without success.

From El Condor Pasa to Deep Impact, Nakayama Festa to Orfevre, the story of Japan’s Arc quest has largely been one of heartbreak and Sunday’s race is another chapter in that tale.

Disappointment was the prevailing emotion at Tokyo Racecourse, where the race was shown live at 11:05pm in front of a crowd almost as big as that at Longchamp. ∎

Andrew Hawkins is the Idol Horse Deputy Editor. Andrew’s deep passion for international racing has taken him to all corners of the world, including Hong Kong, where he was based for five years. He has worked with media outlets including the South China Morning Post, Racing Post, ANZ Bloodstock News, Sky Racing Australia and World Horse Racing, as well as for organisations including the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Victoria Racing Club. Outside of racing, he is also an Olympics and Paralympics researcher for Nine.

View all articles by Andrew Hawkins.

David Morgan is Chief Journalist at Idol Horse. As a sports mad young lad in County Durham, England, horse racing hooked him at age 10. He has a keen knowledge of Hong Kong and Japanese racing after nine years as senior racing writer and racing editor at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. David has also worked in Dubai and spent several years at the Racenews agency in London. His credits include among others Racing Post, ANZ Bloodstock News, International Thoroughbred, TDN, and Asian Racing Report.

View all articles by David Morgan.

Don’t miss out on all the action.

Subscribe to the idol horse newsletter