Calandagan successfully defended his title in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday, returning to form after a disappointing performance in last month’s Coronation Cup. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona and trained by Francis Graffard, the six-year-old started as the 1-3 favorite in heavy ground conditions that suited his running style.
Barzalona positioned Calandagan towards the rear of the field during the early stages, conserving energy before urging the horse forward on the final turn. Calandagan responded with a sustained burst of acceleration, maintaining his trademark turn of foot to hold off a strong challenge from Cualificar. The margin of victory was a neck, with stablemate Sunly finishing a close third, completing a one-two-three for the Graffard-trained runners.
Graffard expressed satisfaction with the result, acknowledging that Calandagan had appeared anxious before the race and had lost confidence in his previous outing at Epsom. “We just needed to get his confidence back and Mickael rode him for himself,” Graffard said. “As soon as he hit the front, he relaxed and showed the acceleration he’s known for. He’s an unbelievable horse.”
The victory marked another significant milestone for Calandagan, who is also the reigning King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner. Graffard indicated that the horse’s next target is a defense of that crown at Ascot on July 25. He noted that the Grand Prix conditions were challenging due to the heat but remained optimistic about Calandagan’s prospects at Ascot, where the horse has previously performed well over the mile and a half distance. Bookmakers responded by shortening Calandagan’s odds for the King George from 5-2 to 2-1.
Overall, the win reinforced Calandagan’s standing among Europe’s top middle-distance turf horses, confirming his resilience and class after a brief setback. The depth of talent within Graffard’s stable was also underscored by the strong performances of Cualificar and Sunly in the same race, hinting at continued success in the weeks ahead.