Graffard expecting to see much more like the real Daryz on Sunday

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero made a fantastic start to his campaign, securing another two top-level victories in the Prix Ganay and Prix Aga Khan IV, but could finish only third went sent to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in June.

Graffard is adamant British racegoers did not see Daryz at his best and is expecting him to prove any lingering doubters wrong this autumn, with this weekend’s Group Two contest viewed as a stepping-stone to the defence of his Arc title in four weeks’ time.

“I couldn’t be happier with the condition of the horse,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“Obviously I was very disappointed people didn’t see the right Daryz at Ascot. We had excuses and it was decided to focus on a second attempt at the Arc, so I’ve got him ready for the Prix Foy on Sunday.

“He spent a really bad day in the yard at Ascot – he never really relaxed and was shouting at all the other horses that were going up and down to the races, so he never really had a quiet moment. I was a bit upset with that and then his blood test showed that he wasn’t right – he had a bit of an infection and some of my other horses were sick also. Everything went against him and it’s a shame really.”

Having been given plenty of time to get over Ascot, Daryz is ready for his comeback following a pleasing recent workout at Deauville.

Graffard added: “The horse is in very, very good shape. It was a nice, strong piece of work (at Deauville). Mickael (Barzalona) was very pleased with the horse, he had a bit of weight to lose, which he did in that piece of work, so it was important to get him ready for Sunday.

“Last year he got beaten in his trial because of the way the race was run and we had a bit question mark about his ability on soft ground, so we weren’t too hard on him in the trial. I think this year he is ready, but he will come on a lot for the race to be at 100 per cent for the Arc. He’s ready to run well anyway.”

The Chantilly handler has trained a whole host of Group One winners in recent years, including the brilliant Calandagan, who at one time was the highest-rated turf horse on the planet.

However, there is no hiding the esteem in which Daryz is held.

“When he won his two Group Ones at the beginning of the season, his turn of foot was just incredible and his sectionals were fantastic. He’s a horse with a lot of ability, I was upset he couldn’t show that at Ascot, so hopefully this autumn he can show everybody how good he is,” said Graffard.

“I think he’s an amazing horse. I don’t know if Princess Zahra will let me travel again with him, but I would love to show people abroad just how good he is.

“On his day, I think he’s absolutely incredible – I haven’t had a horse of his class in my boxes.”