Daryz wins back-to-back Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, first colt to do so in 48 years

LONDON (Reuters) -- Daryz clinched a historic victory over Bay City Roller to win his second consecutive Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, becoming the first colt to do so in nearly half a century.

Bay City Roller defied his 28-1 odds to run a valiant race after taking the lead two furlongs from home under jockey Oisin Murphy, despite racing wide in the early stages. Daryz, however, proved too strong.

Rounding the bend, last year's winner, who started as the 7-4 favorite for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, showed a powerful turn of foot and surged up the outside to pull clear of the field and deny Bay City Roller in the closing stages. Fancied three-year-old filly Diamond Necklace overcame a wide draw to finish third.

"What an amazing ride and what an amazing racehorse he is, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he has all the talent and all the ability to go with it," Bay City Roller's trainer George Scott said.

"We came up second best to an outstanding racehorse on good ground, and congratulations to connections. Francis is a gentleman."

Europe's richest flat race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, attracts many of the world's best middle-distance horses competing for glory and a share of the $5.63 million prize purse at the storied Paris track.

Daryz's double is the first since the mare Enable won the race in 2017 and 2018 and strengthens his claim as one of the world's leading middle-distance racehorses.

He is the first colt in 48 years to win back-to-back editions of the race, and his success further cements Aga Khan Studs as the Arc's most successful owner.

Daryz has become a Longchamp specialist, having won at the course three times this year. The French star has earned nearly $3.97 million in prize money, with his only subpar performance of the season coming at Ascot, where he finished third behind Ombudsman in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The race capped a strong weekend for British trainer George Scott, who recorded a career-best double on the opening day of the meeting. Caballo De Mar denied eight-time winner Scandinavia in a thrilling finish in the long-distance Prix du Cadran after Wimbledon Hawkeye won the Prix Dollar.