Aga Khan's thoroughbred breeding conjures up magic

Daryz was born to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, said Princess Zahra Aga Khan after the colt won Europe's most prestigious race on Sunday.

- Mike Moon

NOSE. Mickael Barzalona rides Daryz (front) ahead of Christophe Soumillon on Minnie Hauk to win in Paris on Sunday.

(AFP)

This wasn’t hyperbolic use of a common phrase. Daryz’s breeding was carefully planned over decades with one thing in mind: getting a horse first past the post at Longchamp racecourse in the Arc.

Princess Zahra’s father, Aga Khan IV, who died in February, was a fanatical thoroughbred breeder and conceived the mating of Daryz’s parents three years ago — the latest in his long line of arranged matings with the first weekend of October in mind.