Held in its traditional slot on the first Sunday in October, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe dominated the racing discussion last week. In the end, the race panned out just as it had in 2025, as French star Daryz confirmed his superstar status beyond any doubt.
The pick of the domestic action took place at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon, as a talented field of fillies locked horns in the Sun Chariot Stakes. There were no surprises at HQ, with Blue Bolt extending her 2026 record to six wins from six starts. Elsewhere, County Durham trainer Rebecca Menzies enjoyed a memorable stateside adventure, as her speedy youngster Adonius got up late in a Keeneland thriller.
Daryz Repels Raiders for Back-to-Back Success
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Daryz | 6/5 F | F-H Graffard | Mickael Barzalona |
| 2nd | Bay City Roller | 38/1 | George Scott | Oisin Murphy |
| 3rd | Diamond Necklace | 139/10 | A P O’Brien | Christophe Soumillon |
Heading into the 2026 edition of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, no colt had claimed back-to-back editions of the Longchamp showpiece since Alleged back in 1978. Hurricane Run couldn’t manage it, nor could the magnificent Montjeu, to name just stars to have found the task beyond them. Bearing that stat in mind, the performance of this year’s Paris hero becomes all the more impressive.
Back in 2025, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Daryz arrived with a chance but certainly wasn’t among the Arc favourites. He chose the biggest stage to produce a huge career-best when outduelling Minnie Hauk on the run to the line. Twelve months on, his quality was not in doubt, but could he repeat the feat without the three-year-old weight allowance, and with a host of new challengers lining up to take their shot at the champ? Sent off as the 6/5 favourite, punters had every faith he could do just that. Daryz rewarded his supporters in style.
When discussing Daryz’s prospects in the week leading up to the race, his trainer had consistently mentioned the horse’s acceleration as the potential deciding factor. That assessment proved to be spot on when the runners turned into the straight. Switched to the outside, Daryz initially looked to have work to do to reel in Bay City Roller… and then his turn of foot kicked in. Seeming to find one gear to match the opposition, he clicked into another to put the race to bed.
Recording the fastest time since Treve won the race for a second time in 2014, Daryz has etched his name among the all-time Arc greats with this stunning display. With his work at the track done, he looks set to follow in the hoof-prints of his Arc-winning sire Sea The Stars and enjoy a lucrative second career at stud.
Balding Tops Trainers Table After Bolt Strikes at Newmarket
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Blue Bolt | 1/4 F | Andrew Balding | Colin Keane |
| 2nd | Evolutionist | 25/1 | K R Burke | Shane Foley |
| 3rd | City Of Memphis | 15/2 | P Twomey | W J Lee |
The day before Daryz delighted the crowds in Paris, one of the stars of the 2026 season added yet another Group 1 to her tally at Newmarket. Second in the 2025 edition of the Sun Chariot Stakes, this year Blue Bolt made no mistake.
In 2025, the Andrew Balding filly arrived at Newmarket with a Listed win to her name but not yet a Group success. Her runners-up effort behind Fallen Angel did nothing to change that.
Fast forward to 2026 and Blue Bolt turned up at HQ riding the crest of a wave. Unbeaten in five outings since that defeat to Fallen Angel, those wins encompassed the Group 1 trio of the Falmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild, and Matron Stakes. Given that red-hot run of form, it was no surprise to see the daughter of Blue Point sent off favourite in the seven-runner field – 15/2 in 2025, she started at a prohibitive 1/4 this time around.
Those who took the skinny odds enjoyed a stress-free 1m 34.60s as Blue Bolt proved a class apart on her way to an easy victory by just short of three lengths. That price of 1/4 made her the shortest-priced winner in Sun Chariot history, breaking the previous record of 40/85, held by 1988 winner Indian Skimmer.
This was a notable success for owners Juddmonte, who, a little surprisingly, had never previously won the Sun Chariot Stakes. For Andrew Balding (also winning the race for the first time), the £212,662.50 in first-place prize money was enough to leapfrog Aidan O’Brien and take the top spot in the British Trainers’ Championship. Only around £70,000 ahead of the Ballydoyle maestro at the end of the weekend, and with the valuable British Champions Day still to come, Balding may have his work cut out to hold on. But, for once, it is O’Brien playing catch-up.
Despite all she has already achieved, Blue Bolt may not quite be done for 2026. While Champions’ Day comes too soon after the Sun Chariot Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup remains firmly on the agenda. The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf is the obvious assignment, but she is also prominent in the market for the Breeders’ Cup Mile and a potential clash with the colts.
First Time Lucky for Menzies in USA
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Adonius | 18/5 | Rebecca Menzies | John R Velazquez |
| 2nd | Love A Warrior | 242/10 | Steven Asmussen | Luis Saez |
| 3rd | Wood Island | 51/20 | George Weaver | Flavien Prat |
Another horse bound for Keeneland at the end of the month is the Rebecca Menzies-trained two-year-old, Adonius. With the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe celebrations in full flow, the Soldier’s Call gelding lined up at the Kentucky track, having made the long trip from his County Durham home.
This transatlantic jaunt represented a new experience for both horse and trainer, as Menzies saddled her first runner in the USA. Lining up in the Grade 3 Indian Summer Stakes, despite boasting solid British form, it was hard to know what to expect as Adonius tackled the US speedballs, including two Wesley Ward youngsters.
Once underway, it seemed likely that Menzies would have a memorable day out but perhaps not the result she dreamed of. Drawn in stall one, Adonius completely blew the start, handing an immediate advantage to his rivals. Turning into the straight, a win still looked unlikely as the trailblazing Ruiva set sail for home with Adonius third last and well off the pace. Everything changed inside the final furlong. With Ruiva running on fumes, it appeared that he might be reeled in by the closing Love A Warrior and Wood Island. That duo successfully overhauled Ruiva with yards to spare, but had no time to respond to Adonius, who had improbably finished with a wet sail down the outside, clawing up ground hand over fist to get on top in the shadow of the post.
Now successful in four of six career starts, never finishing outside the first two, Adonius will return to Keeneland on 30 October for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Having handed his trainer her first Graded success, could he put Menzies’ name up in lights on the biggest US stage of all?
Reflecting on this spectacular triumph, an elated Menzies stated, “It’s our first winner, our first runner abroad, and it’s absolutely magical. It probably won’t sink in for a while. We’ll keep him here now, and on to the Breeders’ Cup.”
