Calandagan not certain to take Juddmonte International chance
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 28 Jul 2025
King George hero Calandagan appears far from certain to line up in the Juddmonte International at York next month, with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard suggesting he could keep his powder dry for major targets on foreign soil later in the year.
Fresh from securing a belated first Group One victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the four-year-old comprehensively turned the tables on his Coronation Cup conqueror Jan Brueghel to provide his trainer with back-to-back wins in Saturday’s Ascot feature following Goliath’s triumph 12 months ago.
Calandagan found only City Of Troy too strong in the Juddmonte International last summer – but while Graffard is not ruling out a return to the Knavesmire, he feels his stable star will need a break at some stage if he is to head abroad in the latter part of 2025.
“He came back yesterday (Sunday) lunchtime and ate everything. He lost 13 kilos, which is normal, and he was at the track this morning and seems fine,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.
“It (Juddmonte International) is in the back of my head and he is entered. I think that would be great for the sport if he can go there, (but) he showed that a mile and a half on good ground is what he really likes and where he’s very efficient.
“I have to discuss it with the Princess (Zahra, who leads the management team of the Aga Khan Studs) and I haven’t been in touch with her since (Saturday). He has big targets in Japan, Hong Kong, the Breeders’ Cup and Dubai, so I can’t keep him going non-stop and will probably have to stop at one stage.
“I have to discuss it with the Princess, but at the moment I am probably going to go for a break with him.”
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard at Ascot (John Walton/PA)
Graffard has a second Aga Khan-owned Juddmonte International entry in the form of Daryz, who was last seen stretching his unbeaten record to four in the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam.
When asked whether he was a possible contender for the York feature, Graffard added: “He is, again that would be a discussion I need to have with the Princess.
“He’s a very nice prospect, Daryz, I really like the horse, but is he ready to go into a race like the Juddmonte International against these very strong horses? It’s a big question mark.
“If he doesn’t go to York, he can go the classic French way of the Prix Niel and the Arc.”
Graffard also confirmed the Prix de la Foret as a likely target for French Guineas heroine and Coronation Stakes runner-up Zarigana, while Prix Jean Prat victor Woodshauna is being aimed at the Prix Maurice de Gheest ahead of a possible trip to Haydock for the Sprint Cup in September.
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