{"id":295031,"date":"2025-07-27T04:42:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T04:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/295031\/"},"modified":"2025-07-27T04:42:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T04:42:14","slug":"calandagan-rules-supreme-for-france-in-king-george","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/295031\/","title":{"rendered":"Calandagan rules supreme for France in King George"},"content":{"rendered":"

Francis-Henri Graffard\u2019s gelding was bidding to keep the trophy in the Chantilly yard after Goliath prevailed 12 months ago, with his key rival seemingly Aidan O\u2019Brien\u2019s Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel, who had edged the Aga Khan Studs-owned four-year-old at Epsom.<\/p>\n

Calandagan was the well-backed 11-10 favourite to turn the tables and after an incredibly patient ride from Mickael Barzalona he swept through to pick off all of his rivals and pass the gallant Kalpana ahead of the line for a one-length triumph.<\/p>\n

It is the fifth time the race has been won by a horse carrying the green and red silks, with Shergar the most famous of the those winners after prevailing for the fourth Aga Khan, who died in February this year at the age of 88.<\/p>\n

\n

THE FRENCH RAIDER HAS DONE IT! \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n

CALANDAGAN WINS THE KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES! pic.twitter.com\/BlIgk4azOj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI am so pleased for the horse, it was a competitive race,\u201d said Graffard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tactics during the race were not what I was expecting, when I saw Continuous going very steadily it was all different.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the filly (Kalpana) kicked on for home my horse was still travelling well, I was hoping he was going to catch her at the end. He lengthened so strongly, he\u2019s a very good horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to see my horse getting into his rhythm and lengthening his stride, when I really saw him coming I started to shout.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe won nicely again today, he\u2019s a good horse, that\u2019s two in row now in Group Ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cMickael knows him very well and he has a lot confidence in the horse. You saw the ride he gave him, he had a lot of confidence and he won \u2013 we are so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"WinningWinning connections following the King George (John Walton\/PA)<\/p>\n

Future plans could include another trip to York for the Juddmonte International, in which he was second to City Of Troy last year.<\/p>\n

Graffard said: \u201cWe\u2019ll see how he comes out of the race, but he\u2019s in the Juddmonte International and why not, I wouldn\u2019t mind going back there. I would have no problem bringing him back to 10 furlongs, but I will discuss it with the owner.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mile and a half is also the perfect distance for him, but he ran really strongly in the race at York last year and if he comes back really well, why avoid the race?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could maybe go for the Japan Cup at the end of the season, but he will have a big target somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MickaelMickael Barzalona celebrates (John Walton\/PA)<\/p>\n

Jubilant rider Barzalona added: \u201cThis means a lot and it has come at the right time for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s took a bit of time to win his Group One, but now he has won two in a row and to win a King George means a lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a lovely horse to ride and he has an engine and a beautiful action. Once he finds his rhythm he is never going to let you down and as a jockey you just need to put him in the right spot and let him do the rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was very confident I would get to Kalpana and this is a great result.\u201d<\/p>\n