Having won two Group 1 races already this year over nine furlongs (Prix Aga Khan IV) and 10½ furlongs (Prix Ganay), Daryz lined up in Paris seeking to achieve a feat not accomplished by a male horse since Alleged in 1978: back-to-back Arc victories.

Breaking from stall five, Daryz raced three-wide at the rear of the field. Switched out at the entrance to the home straight by jockey Mickaël Barzalona, the colt unleashed his trademark turn of foot, breezing into the lead and winning with even greater authority than last year.

Trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, said: "He's a real champion and I was confident, I had to say it even though you can look a fool. He was blossoming coming here and he got a beautiful ride again – there is pressure, you can't deny it, but I'm lucky to have a horse like this. Credit to Princess Zahra, the quality of the operation's horses is incredible. He doesn't have anything else to prove, that was beautiful to watch.”

Princess Zahra Aga Khan added: “It is always very emotional on Arc day. It is difficult not to be swept up by the emotion, by the atmosphere, by the crowd reacting to the horses. Last year was difficult with the loss of my father. He would have been so proud.”

Daryz’s second Arc triumph was a record ninth win in this race for the Aga Khan family. He becomes only the fifth male horse to win two consecutive Arcs, joining Ksar (1921-1922), Tantième (1950-1951), Ribot (1955-1956) and Alleged (1977-1978). As stallions, all of these champions went on to become leading sires and left a lasting mark on the history of thoroughbred breeding.

The dam of Daryz, Group 1 winner Daryakana, won the Prix de Royallieu in 2009 on the same weekend that Sea The Stars captured the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. She now enjoys a peaceful retirement at Haras de Bonneval alongside 2008 Arc winner Zarkava and Daltama, half-sister to 2003 winner Dalakhani.

To date, Daryakana has produced six Stakes winners. Her son by Zarak, Daryzan, will remain in training as a four-year-old, while her most recent daughter is a yearling filly by Erevann.