Francis Graffard is considering the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes as an option for Daryz (Sea The Stars), who retained his unbeaten record when winning Sunday's G2 Prix Eugene Adam.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for Daryz's owner-breeder The Aga Khan Studs, said, “We're slightly scratching our heads with Daryz and we would need to sit down with Princess Zahra as well as there are several options we can take with the horse.
“I know Francis is quite interested in the idea of bringing him to the Juddmonte International and he's obviously done very well over that trip and we've only ever run him him over a mile and a quarter, so it is the right trip for him. It would be a big ask as Sunday was only his fourth start, but he's an improving horse and we're really excited by him – he's bred in the purple and a proper horse.”
Daryz's stablemate and fellow Aga Khan-bred Calandagan (Gleaneagles), who holds an entry for the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, was second to City Of Troy in last year's Juddmonte International, and claimed his first Group 1 victory on a good day for his connections in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. As a gelding, he was prevented from running in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but that would not be an issue for Daryz, who is a half-brother to the late G1 Prix Ganay winner Dariyan (Shamardal).
Routh continued, “We have an eye on the Arc at the end of the year, but [Daryz] needs to run before that and there are several different races he could run in. He could have a traditional prep for the Arc in the Prix Niel or he could take in something like York.
“We'll have to weigh everything up with him as he is still a little immature, but he's improved with every race and York is definitely an option. We will just have to see what is the right option as we haven't quite figured that out.”
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