Calandagan caps an incredible year for Francis Henri-Graffard. (Dan Abraham/focusonracing.com)
French superstar completes a Group 1 hat-trick in the final Challenge Series race of 2025
Release of the Breeders Cup
ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, England – Aga Khan stallions’ Calandagan (IRE) produced a career best to beat a star-studded field in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day. The 4-year-old son of Gleneagles (IRE) had already secured his automatic spot in the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In when he secured the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) earlier this season.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and compensation for a corresponding race at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, taking place October 31 through November. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
In the main race of the day, Calandagan, who was sent off at 15-8, was sent to the back of the field along with market rivals. Ombudsman (IRE) And Delacroix (IRE). The Aidan O’Brien trained one Kilimanjaro (FR) And Devil’s Advocate (GB) set a fierce early pace. As the field reached the home straight, the early pacers paid for their early efforts and soon folded.
The Ed Walker trained one the soul (nl)the Mickael Barzalona-ridden Calandagan and Ombudsman were the three horses to emerge from the chasing pack and approach the 2-furlong mark. In the final furlong Calandagan had built a one-length lead over the Ombudsman, who tried valiantly to chase him down. Calandagan maintained his lead to the finish, finishing one place better than he did in this race 12 months ago when he finished second behind Anmaat (IRE).
After winning the race for the second time since his maiden victory aboard Sealiway (FR) in 2021, winning jockey Mickael Barzalona said: “I think he is a very good horse. He deserves it. When he found his action and I was ready to go, I let him go. I felt the Ombudsman coming towards me, but I went much better than him. There is so much joy when these colors cross the finish, and I am very proud to be part of the team.”
Barzalona added: “It’s been fantastic work from everyone in the garden. Everyone is working very hard, and it paid off today.”
This was the icing on the cake for trainer Francis Henri-Graffard, who has had a sensational year winning top level races such as the King George & VI Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and now the QIPCO Champion Stakes.
He said: “”Work is easy for him and I worked with Daryz before the Arc weekend because I had to get him ready for the day. He showed Daryz how it worked and galloping with an Arc and Champion Stakes winner is incredible.”
He continued: “He is a fantastic horse and we are fortunate to have some really nice horses this year who can compete at top level, so I was able to give him some rest before preparing him for this. He has arrived in great shape and is a real champion.”
Calandagan completed the 1 ¼ miles in 2:03:19 on a course listed as Good.
As part of the Challenge Series benefits, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fee for Calandaganto’s start in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Breeders’ Cup also provides travel reimbursement for all starters based outside of North America to participate in the World Championships. To receive the rewards, the Challenge winner must be nominated for the Breeders’ Cup program by the October 20 entry deadline.
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