Future Targets For Daryz

What do you see the four targets as being?

It's only two with the Arc presumably, set in stone. With this outfit, and their options, it is very difficult. Last season I got the Juddmonte wrong as a target, right as a result. Assuming he wins the Prince Of Wales's then why not bring him back for the King George? That's what I would want, but they have doubled down on running him at that trip. You are probably looking at two spaced out runs between Royal Ascot and the Arc. Perhaps the Eclipse (don't see why Sandown shouldn't suit) and then another crack at the Juddmonte, but plenty will depend on what they want to do with Calandagan. I think Daryz has now become the better of two which is quite handy as he is the stallion prospect. They have also said he is not the easiest so I can't see them stretching beyond the six races. In an ideal world he wins them all.

Might turn up @ Leopardstown in the  Irish Chmpn Stks.

We know that York was a means to an ends and a shred piece of training, even last night Zara was talking about how he was an immature May foal last year.
What they did there wasn’t on for punters but it served its purpose.

The French way has never been to target the KG and they have always favoured a mid summer break for their Arc contenders as you’ll know.
As you’ve said Caladgan adds another problem as he’s preference is for a strongly run 10f they even talked about ducking Epsom should it be soft as they don’t think he’ll climb the hill and get the distance in those circumstances.
Could he go to York again as he goes left handed.

It could end up POW, arc prep and Arc. Now that he’s just won over 1.1f and done what’s not been done for years.

Maybe the only other option is the Marois before a rest then traditional prep.

The other conundrum is the talented 3 yr olds that they have.

The double for the races that we know are targets looks tasty! Any others in between can be doubled up then!

A lot more will become clear after next weeks Prix Du Jockey Club regards their younger horses.

Varindir is entered for the Hoccuart the trial for the GPDP.

I will always remain mystified as to what purpose being beaten at York actually served. Pretty sure that you can't say being well beaten at York won him an Arc.

I would favour Sandown over York, and York over Leopardstown. I always think that unless you are able to lose ground and sweep wide, it isn't that difficult to get boxed in at Leopardstown.

Not sure I like the idea of dropping back to a straight mile. Has any Arc winner even considered doing that? I hope that sort of talk is more about the media than anything else. Also not sure what the traditional pep would look like if they are not going to run over a mile and a half, and ignore the Foy.

At this stage I think it is very optimistic to think any of the 3yo's are in the same league.

Worked with Calandagan before the Arc win.   Calandagan was laughing according to trainer. Wouldn't be surprised if he got a boll oking for that seeing they are tring to make a stallion.

Was a modest Arc. Good horse but no way great imo.

Long time since the Arc, and it's what they do on the track that counts. They already don't need to worry too much about Daryz as a stallion prospect.

You’ve not read the quotes that I posted from Graffard post York?

He traveled the horse to help him mature mentally. Countless trainers do this. It was no surprise that say Albert never shows in the 2000, not because of the distance but he’d never travelled at 2.

Daryz was unraced and a May foal, it’s why I suggested that Samangan was using our Guineas in the same way as a prep for Ascot. He’s a May also.

I don’t like the idea of the mile at Deauville as it’s not a mile and a flat track, but think back Manduro ran in it, ran in the POW and then the Foy.

He was the best that Fabre said that he had so it can be done.

It’s not about whether any 3 year olds are as good, they (those in the red and green) need targets too.

He’s already done enough not to need to run again for stud purposes, the only thing that’ll see him run is that fact that the trainer says he’s beating his box down and full of it.

So the wait for the traditional Arc prep the Foy for his age group will be a long wait after Ascot.

With Ireland and York, will he ever go left handed again?

People will automatically think that Rayif will take in the Marois, maybe he will but he has the option of dropping back for the Jean Pratt after Ascot.

Graffard is going to say that isn't he? That's his excuse for the horse being well beaten. Nobody will know one way or the other, so there isn't any point talking endlessly about it, but I will never buy the idea that he wouldn't have won an Arc without going to York. All that we can say for sure is that exercise made people wonder what direction the horse was going in.

The facts are there about helping a horse to mature via travelling them but you still think differently!

It never dissuaded them though, that was the brilliance of it.

Countless Japanese trainers say that their horses have matured after the experience of travelling for the Arc.

As they don’t tend to travel them I’d think that they’d see a difference in the before and after.

The Arc didn’t take much winning (two best 3 yr olds fought it out, easy with hindsight but we’d never seen him step up in triple) but one thing for sure IS that travelling last year will stand him in good stead for what’s next (hopefully)

There’s an art to travelling horses I’ve done well in the past from backing against trainers who haven’t mastered it.

They lose weight, need time to put that back on etc, it’s why Du Royer-Dupre was my fav trainer as he had it and I love racing on an international level.

Graffard has come a long way since the days of brining The Revenant to Ascot Champions day for the soft ground test.

“Next up for Daryz, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (group I, 2.000 m), mid-June at Royal Ascot, before taking a short summer break.”

Jan Brueghel (JB). I spoke to the horse, and he said The Arc is his prime objective. In the meantime he needs to sort out a slight inconvenience enroute to The Arc ie Coronation Cup at Epsom. I think JB could turn over Daryz in The Arc.

I agree. I think the 2025 Arc was average. The horses Daryz beat this season were average too.

Fair play Imoossible you’ve been a follower of the horse (Jan) and made your case and taken a stance against the hotpot.

A short summer break would deffo rule out the Eclipse, possibly even the International. Come back in the Irish Champion?

Graffard was keen to point out that the horse was ran over 10f all of last season until the Arc. I wasn’t impressed with the finish in the Arc as they both looked like they were on fumes.
But he’s progressed his kick over 10f this year so he may be more impressive when stepped back up again.


Regarding travelling horses and running in G1’s, I’d shared this.

Scott Burton
France correspondent
Published on 18 May 2026inRaceday Intel

"Francis has always had the Commonwealth Cup in mind, but as we had Rayif for the Poule d'Essai at Longchamp, and Samangan handles a straight course so well, we thought we'd try to nurse him over a mile. But he wasn't right so we didn't do that, and hopefully if he runs well, we can go to the Commonwealth Cup."

You have to ask what benefit a horse gains from this sort of experience. Nursing sounds a lot like what happened at York with Daryz to me. The horse never ran on its merit and it was a day out with a future purpose in mind. So for me he wasn’t offering an excuse for a beaten horse because the objective had been achieved.

Add this to the evidence that the trainer will run a horse anyway as a means to an end.

Plunging Rayif directly into the deep end for his first race of the year, seven months after his last outing, was a real challenge, and even more so with the announcement of a soft ground that could be unfavorable. The coach had also fleetingly thought not to line up his horse at the start of the Poule d'Essai if the track was too deep, before discarding this idea:  “I don’t like to declare my horses as non-runners and then, we had agreed with Mickaël (Barzalona) not to insist if the foal wasn’t comfortable. We would have used this race as a preparation for the future, because it was still necessary to run it.”


We have the pattern for a reason, time between races and it’s clear a day out without a win isn’t seen as a loss.

There are so many Group races at 10f and 12f. One is an entire entity, the other is not. As such, it's nonsensical (commercially) to run against each other given their position at respective levels. A defeat inflicted on Daryz by Calandagan could decimate the breeding value of the former.

But, AOB and Coolmore are very keen to take them on for a change.

There’s no way they’ll take eachother on, Calandgan can fill in the gaps but then as said they have some exciting 3yr olds also.

AOB fancies outstaying Calandagan at Epsom Impossible.

Again

I hope Jan Brueghel (no silly game plz, AOB) can repeat at Epsom. I like Notable Speech (NB) in The Queen Anne too. I think NB is cut above the rest. There's no adversary with the calibre of Rosallion in this renewal.

I think he might well do, looked good last time at Chester and I wasn’t impressed with Calandagan in Dubai as I’d posted.
However he’s meant to be training well,  but like last season Epsom is a stepping stone for things later in the year for him (Calandagan)

I’m unsure about the form of the Lockinge not in that of the winner, he’s class but he is hit and miss remember him getting beat by Valaszuez at Deauville?

Those speed tracks suit him (Deauville, Newbury) and others might be better suited by the mile at Ascot, ie Damysus.

Lion in is a puzzle was beaten too far compared to their last meeting in the US and another with similar form Shalaan ran no race.
It’s why I’m questioning the from of those in behind. Shalaan had missed his prep the Prix Mugenet as it came too close.

Graffard was disappointed with his run and might scrap plans for the Queen Anne but if he shows, take the hint and the 50/1 ‘cos the Queen Anne is frequently a turnover race.

* As you’ll know having been in the game for years.

I hope so. I think Calandagan was well placed, and seemed to have improved in the absence of Jan (post KG). But, his protagonists were not comparable to Jan.

PSG, Jan, Ben and Notable Speech could make a good 4-some.

I'd be concerned if the ground is soft or softish. As the race is prior to The Derby (unless Con River runs) I'd be inclined to let the bet run. If a finality the bet would need to be managed somewhat.

They won’t run the French colt if there’s any soft at that track over that trip.

I guess you already made your investment with the turf accountant Impossible, we talked the Derby and I’m waiting to see what shows.

Did you know that when AoB won the Guiche (a key Jockey Club prep) with Hawk Mountain, that it was the first foreign horse to win that trial?

I can see him running him and Montreal who might be seen as a Grand Prix Du Paris type maybe another rag.

The main 3 colts of last season were Pierre, Ben and Hawk. I think Con River has surprised even his connections at Chester. The disappointment of Pierre and the scintillating performance of Con River at Chester has propelled Con River to the forefront of every betting event for 3 yr olds.

I thought Hawk would be the main candidate for France. But, Con River post Chester has been touted to go to France for the same race too. However, I think Con River will ultimately turn up at Epsom with Pierre rerouted elsewhere eg Irish Derby.

May 22, 2026 -- 12:26PM, howard wrote:

Worked with Calandagan before the Arc win.

'Worked with Calandagan before the Arc win.   Calandagan was laughing according to trainer. Wouldn't be surprised if he got a boll oking for that seeing they are tring to make a stallion.'

Aidan O'Fishbeard would never have said that...

'Best we've ever had since the old King died' dot com.

Whallop I recall it being the other way around.

Impossible I think that they always knew that he was a good horse, again (on the topic from earlier)) he was traveled as a 2 year old.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Delashay and I123 have to be the same person..

They say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness, though I123 just looks mad every time he posts, but this is further confirmation.

Well Uncle you’d be wrong, want to bet on that?

Glad you appreciate my posts and my well wishes when you were in remission!

And IF you’d actually paid attention, you’ll have seen that Impossible IS ALL OVER the Italian for the Derby!

I’ve said is Constitution doesn’t show I couldn’t care for watching it!

So there’s a difference of opinion from two different people!

Yeah sorry mate, but I won’t wait

No idea what that all meant but you seem to be the only person that pays any attention to the gibberish that I123 posts.

If you think he has anything informative to offer I have to assume you are attached to him - friend, family or even the sane person.

sane should say same - oh the schadenfraude

There’s a lot of gibberish, his dry sense of humor makes me laugh, unlike others he isn’t up his own and at least discusses races.

I know him not but it’s hilarious that you think I’d sit here posting alternative opinions!

That’s Impossibles Acca : 

“PSG, Jan, Ben and Notable Speech could make a good 4-some.”

I hope Arsenal beat the Frogletaires, you’ve heard my views on the Derby and up there you’ll see I’m not backing Notable Speech for the Queen Anne.



Delashay • May 23, 2026 11:06 AM BST
I’m unsure about the form of the Lockinge not in that of the winner, he’s class but he is hit and miss remember him getting beat by Valaszuez at Deauville?

Those speed tracks suit him (Deauville, Newbury) and others might be better suited by the mile at Ascot, ie Damysus.

Lion in is a puzzle was beaten too far compared to their last meeting in the US and another with similar form Shalaan ran no race.
It’s why I’m questioning the from of those in behind. Shalaan had missed his prep the Prix Mugenet as it came too close.

Graffard was disappointed with his run and might scrap plans for the Queen Anne but if he shows, take the hint and the 50/1 ‘cos the Queen Anne is frequently a turnover race.

So I’m highly unlikely to have posted that four timer!

I’ve read this this morning so you’ve all been warned what’s gonna happen!


Impossible you’ll like the fighting talk!


But the title of champion cannot always be won or awarded at 3 years old. Sometimes it takes 4 or even 5 years before a true champion emerges, as was the case of Calandagan, currently considered the best horse in the world. A horse that is not trained at Ballydoyle but at Chantilly and that they now dream of beating. “It’s a very interesting year,” says O'Brien.

  “On the day of the Epsom Derby we will also run Lambourn and Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup. I hope Calandagan will come, that’s what everyone wants. We want all the great champions to be present during these major days so that everyone can make up their minds. Ryan had a very positive reaction after Chester with Jan Brueghel which was extraordinary, as he seemed beaten at one point before continuing to fight. Last year he almost died after choking on oats, which caused pneumonia.

If he takes the lead, it will take a brave man not to let him get too far ahead. Personally, I wouldn’t give him much. We know that Francis-Henri Graffard’s horse must come from the rear guard, it’s his way of running. So this promises an exciting race that may help establish who is really the best.” The pursuit of excellence is what drives Aidan O'Brien and the prestigious owners year after year, season after season. From then on, it will be fascinating to see which of the Epsom Derby or the Prix du Jockey Club will bring out the best horse of this new generation. Will it be about Constitution River, Benvenuto Cellini, Pierre Bonnard or another? Because Ballydoyle has many cards in his hand, but perhaps the trump card lies elsewhere.

It’s what they did last year and connections blamed the soft ground and the hill for the French colt not getting up.
So you can see why they like 10f for him if it’s soft.

AOB has access to the best pedigree horses in the world. They are mostly homebred or bought at sales. Money is no object to Coolmore. However, this superiority is mainly confined to a mile or middle distances, not so much sprints. As such, in the future if I was still playing antepost, I'd focus more on sprint races and steer clear of a mile and beyond for fear of multiple entries and late switcheroos.

The likely weather for Epsom racecourse is most dry with average temperature for the next two weeks (apparently).