Graffard preparing Calandagan and Daryz for British raids

Francis-Henri Graffard is ready to unleash his two world-class superstars in Britain over the coming weeks, with both Calandagan and Daryz firmly on course for their respective outings at Epsom and Royal Ascot.

Calandagan suffered an agonising reversal at the hands of Jan Brueghel on the Surrey Downs 12 months ago, but having reeled off five straight Group Ones since and been officially anointed ‘the world’s best racehorse’, he is primed to correct the record in the Coolmore Coronation Cup.

Graffard said: “They are both in very good shape and I could not be happier with them.

“Calandagan has been trained for Epsom and hopefully the ground will not get too soft. He looks well and I feel he wants to go back to work.

“He’s ready and he wants to go back to the races, and everything has gone very smoothly with him.”

While Calandagan is a regular visitor to the UK, with three victories at Ascot already on his CV alongside that aforementioned Epsom near miss and a second to City Of Troy at York, it will be just a second trek across the Channel for stablemate Daryz after his own unsuccessful visit to the Knavesmire last summer.

Last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero has dazzled in his two outings so far this season, demonstrating devastating speed in both the Prix Ganay and when fittingly landing the newly-named Prix Aga Khan IV.

He will now fly the flag for the all-conquering Aga Khan Studs and Graffard combination in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot.

“Daryz has come out of his race at ParisLongchamp really well and I’m very happy he has shown this incredible turn of foot this season,” continued Graffard.

“They are very different in the way they move and the way they accelerate is different too, but Daryz has been incredible and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes will be a very tough race, but I know I have a very good horse to try to win this race with.

“Fingers crossed everything goes well between now and Ascot.”