In doing so, he became only the second Arc winner to subsequently win a Group 1 race over nine furlongs, and the only horse ever to win the Arc at three and then the Prix Ganay and the now-renamed Prix d’Ispahan at four. It was also the 180th Group 1 victory for the Aga Khan Studs since 1960.

By Sea The Stars, Daryz – the world’s highest-rated three-year-old last year – will now head to Royal Ascot for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

“The horse was completely, relaxed, chilled and in his own tempo,” said Princess Zahra Aga Khan. “If anything, he was less keen than last time he ran, but that was his seasonal debut. He's learning his job. He was definitely mature at the end of last season, but now we're seeing the fully developed racehorse." 

Asked about winning the race renamed in honour of her late father, Princess Zahra added: “It’s very touching. Dad contributed so much to French racing, to the Irish and European racing and breeding industries, that I think it’s lovely to have that recognition of what he’s done.

“If we hadn’t had a runner, it would have been a special race anyway. We happened to have a fantastic horse running in the race, so it’s even more special. It’s a lovely thing that there was a confluence of special things today.”