Arc aim for Item while Champion Stakes an option for Kalpana
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 23 Aug 2026
Andrew Balding has revealed some short-term and long-term plans for his Juddmonte International winner Item and Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks victor Kalpana.
Item took his unbeaten record on the Knavesmire to three with a last-gasp defeat of Almaqam in Wednesday's feature race, and the Kingsclere handler told Nick Luck on Luck On Sunday that a step back up in trip for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a realistic target.
He said: "In my mind, I'd love Item to go to Longchamp if the ground is good. He's that quality, and would be a major player if the ground wasn't too soft.
"He's a horse we've always rated and I was pleased with his work leading up to it. If it hadn't been for the hiccup I'd have been even more hopeful.
"Colin [Keane, jockey] was amazing on him, he switched out and really got him rolling.
"He's a very talented horse."
Watch: Item reels in Almaqam on the Knavesmire
The hiccup that Balding referenced was a foot issue in the lead up to York. Barry John Lewis, who rides Item every day, explained: "It wasn't ideal, he came up sore and we realised he had a blood blister on his hoof.
"The farrier got to the bottom of it – we made him as comfortable as possible, icing him - and put a special shoe on to relieve the pressure.
"The evening before we made a decision – I rode him out and Andrew was happy - and then we jogged him up on the day at 5am.
"The 48 hours was a bit of work but all worth it! When we rode him out, he felt in such good form, I told Andrew I wasn't worried.
"He gave me a lot of confidence and had every right to be there."
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Kalpana landed the feature race 24 hours later, and it was another thrilling climax, though this time around the shoe was on the other foot with Sparan Nua gaining on the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the closing stages.
After a busy spell, Kalpana will now have a break, as Balding explained: "She definitely had a hard race - just the way it was run, and she had to do all the hard work to get the leader and she was running on fumes. But when the second came to her she sensed it and found that little bit extra.
"This was always the plan, and to then freshen her up for the autumn.
"I wouldn't rule out the Champion Stakes, dropping back to a mile and quarter. She is showing more speed this year. And she's better.
"It's fantastic to have all these options, which are probably all slightly weather dependent."
Watch: Kalpana lasts home - just - in the Yorkshire Oaks
When asked about the trainers' championship following six winners at the Ebor Festival, Balding brushed it aside: "Our luck will run out at some stage, but we are enjoying it while we can
"The trainers' championship is the least important thing in my opinion, if the right races are abroad then that's where they should go.
"It's a big climb anyway and Aidan [O'Brien] will win £2m more before the end of the year, so its very unlikely anyway."
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