By Sean Cronin
The Aga Khan Studs operation had not celebrated success in Saint-Cloud's G2 Prix Eugene Adam since Dariyan (Shamardal) saluted in 2015, but rectified matters after the hithero unbeaten Daryz (Sea The Stars) defeated five rivals in Sunday's renewal of the 10-furlong contest.
“We have high expectations of him and we are very pleased with the result of the race,” said trainer Francis Graffard. “We really like him, today was an interesting test and he performed again. There was very little pace in the race and it became very tactical, so it was good that he managed to get his head in front. I think, mentally and physically, there is plenty of improvement to come and he is not quite the finished article. I thought he might be a possible for the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris, but I didn't want to step him up in trip just yet. I don't think we'll see him again over the summer and he is obviously a candidate for the [G1] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. We have taken it step by step with him, he will stay a mile-and-a-half, but first he needs to learn to settle. The [10-furlong G1] Juddmonte International is a race I will put forward for Daryz. I will discuss with Princess Zahra where she would like to go, but I will probably make an entry for Daryz at York. I need to make him tougher and give him experience. I think he will get that if he goes abroad.”
Racing under a firm hold behind the leading duo for the most part, the even-money favourite quickened to the fore inside the final furlong and was ridden out to comfortably outpoint last year's G2 Champagne Stakes victor Bay City Roller (New Bay) by 3/4-of-a-length. Andre Fabre trainee Sinileo (Siyouni) ran on well from off a modest pace to finish a neck adrift in third.
Daryz's first three outings all took place at ParisLongchamp and he backed up victories there in April and May with a black-type breakthrough in the Listed Prix Ridgway over this distance three weeks ago. Dariyan, who originally stood at Haras de Bonneval, died from an illness last year having been switched to Haras du Mont Goubert.
What a talent he is! 🙌
Daryz makes it four wins from four with a cosy success in the Prix Eugene Adam!@mickaelbarzalon | @GraffardRacing pic.twitter.com/guWhvMxXp0
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 29, 2025
Pedigree Notes
Daryz, who becomes the 83rd pattern-race winner for his sire, is the 10th of 11 foals and one of six black-type scorers out of G1 Hong Kong Vase victrix and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Daryakana (Selkirk). The May-foaled homebred bay, whose dam is out of G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Daryaba (Night Shift), is a half-brother to the aforementioned G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Dariyan (Shamardal), GII Knickerbocker Stakes and GIII Monmouth Stakes winner Devamani (Dubawi), G2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis victrix Darkaniya (Frankel), Listed Prix Casimir Delamarre winner Dariyza (Dawn Approach) and Listed Grand Prix de Clairefontaine victor Darabad (Dansili). Daryz, who hails from the family of multiple Group 1-winning European champion Darjina (Zamindar), is also kin to the hitherto unraced 2-year-old colt Daryzan (Zarak).
Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX EUGENE ADAM-G2, €130,000, Saint-Cloud, 6-29, 3yo, 10fT, 2:09.81, g/s.
1–DARYZ (FR), 126, c, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Daryakana (Fr) (G1SW-HK, GSW & G1SP-Fr, $1,372,923), by Selkirk
2nd Dam: Daryaba (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Darata (Ire), by Vayrann (Ire)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Mickael Barzalona. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, €129,100. *1/2 to Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal), G1SW-Fr, G1SP-HK & GSP-UAE, $872,592; Devamani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), MGSW-US, $563,306; Darkaniya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), GSW-Ger & SW-Fr, $125,429; Dariyza (Fr) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), SW & GSP-Fr; and Darabad (Fr) (Dansili {GB}), SW-Fr, $145,558. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bay City Roller (Ire), 126, c, 3, New Bay (GB)–Bloomfield (Ire), by Teofilo (Ire). (€320,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR). O-Victorious Racing; B-John Connaughton; T-George Scott. €28,600.
3–Sinileo (Ire), 126, c, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Solilea (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere; T-Andre Fabre. €13,650.
Margins: 3/4, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 5.80, 4.00.
Also Ran: Dumonet (Ire), Scorthy Champ (Ire), Parachutiste (Ire).
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