The Aga Khan Studs enjoyed a tremendous run of success on Arc Trials day at ParisLongchamp, with three consecutive winners who all won in style. Erdenali was making his first attempt at Group 1 level and made a great impression, winning the Gr.1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, breaking the track and race record in the process and giving the Aga Khan family a record eighth success in the race.

Racing manager Nemone Routh said after the race: “He doesn’t show much at home – if you’d seen him work this week, you wouldn’t have been particularly impressed, but it all comes together in the afternoon. We wanted to see if he was a Group 1 horse and he’s proved that resoundingly, I think. He can do anything, as he’s a very relaxed horse. He was green early on in his career but proved he’s special today.” Erdenali could now be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The three-year-old is out of the Sea The Stars mare Erdana, a half-sister to young sire Erevann, making him a grandson of the triple Group 1 winner Ervedya. The daughter of Siyouni had won the very same race eleven years ago.

In the following race on the card, three-year-old Varandir was making a comeback after finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris, his first defeat in four starts. The leader had taken a significant advantage, but Varandir finished strongest of all, making up the ground in the last furlong to win the Gr.2 Prix Niel and giving the Aga Khan family another record with six winners in the race.

Nemone Routh explained after the race: “I think that since his Group 3 victory, he has really progressed, both mentally and physically. Obviously, I couldn’t say before the race that we were going to beat the winner of the Irish Derby, but we were confident in our horse’s potential.”

Varandir is the 26th Group winner for his sire Zarak and is the first foal out of Listed winner Varkesha (Pivotal), who is herself a daughter of Listed winner Varana (Sea The Stars), from the family of Prix de Diane winner Valyra.

The last Aga Khan representative on the card was none other than 2025 Arc winner Daryz, who gave the silks their third winner of the day. The champion was facing a small field, but he nonetheless put up an impressive performance to win the Gr.2 Prix Foy under hands and heels, registering faster times over the last 600m than the record-breaking miler Erdenali.

“I couldn’t be happier with this as a trial,” Francis Graffard said. “He got a nice lead and he travelled really nicely, so it’s the perfect prep for the Arc. I left plenty on him, so he should be spot-on for four weeks’ time.” It was Daryz’s eighth success in eleven races, and he will attempt to complete a double in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month.

Daryz is a son of Sea The Stars and is the sixth Stakes winner out of Group 1 winner Daryakana.