Calandagan brushes off Epsom loss with victory in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud

Calandagan rebounded from the worst loss of his career last month in Britain to win his sixth Group 1 race in Sunday’s $457,000 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud Racecourse in Paris.

Calandagan became the sixth horse to win two runnings of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, and first since Ange Gabriel in 2002 and 2003.

The victory on Sunday prompted French trainer Francis Henri-Graffard to plan another international trip with Calandagan.

A winner of Group 1 races in Britain, Dubai and Japan in the last year, Calandagan is scheduled to start in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on July 25 in a race he won last summer in his first start following the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

On Sunday, Calandagan, who paid $2.60 in American pools, closed from last of eight to win the Grand Prix de-Saint Cloud at 1 1/2 miles by a neck over 24-1 Cualificar. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Calandagan rallied wide through the stretch to reach the front in the final furlong.

Cualificar finished three-quarters of a length in front of the Graffard-trained mare Sunly, a 15-1 chance. Sunly finished four lengths clear of Aventure, who led briefly in the stretch.

Graffard told the press after the win that it was vital Calandagan regain his confidence in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud after finishing fourth, beaten 42 lengths, in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom Racecourse in Britain on June 5.

“We spent quite a long time discussing the tactics,” Graffard said. “But in the end, I told Mickaël, ‘Forget about this race. Just let him enjoy himself. He needs to regain confidence. Ride him for himself — I don't care if we get beaten.’

“Of course, it's quite incredible to see him so far back during the race. What a horse! He's exceptional.”

Calandagan, owned by the family of the late Aga Khan, has won 10 of 17 starts. A 5-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Gleneagles, Calandagan has won nine group-level stakes. He won five consecutive Group 1 races beginning with the 2025 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and continuing last year in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, the British Champions Stakes at Ascot and the Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse.

Earlier this year, Calandagan won the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic before the loss at Epsom.

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