Calandagan rules supreme in Champion Stakes

Calandagan was all class to stride to a smart success in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The 15-8 French raider, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and owned by the Aga Khan Studs, was ridden by Mickael Barzalona in a quality field of 11.

John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman was the 13-8 favourite and the two horses were at the fore in the home straight, but it was Calandagan who held the upper hand to prevail by two and a quarter lengths, upgrading last year’s second place behind Anmaat.

Ombudsman was second with 28-1 shot Almaqam a further length and three-quarters back in third.

Barzalona said: "He was a bit far [back] I think early on and we were on different ground today. But when he found his action and he got ready to go, I let him find his action just before we entered the straight. I could feel Ombudsman coming to me but I was, fortunately, much quicker than him.

"I think he's a very good horse, he deserves it. I haven't really been able to understand the power of these colours [Aga Khan] and someone said they are followed by everyone and I think that is true because there is such joy when they see these colours go across the line and I am very proud to be part of the team."

More to follow...