Francis-Henri Graffard’s Calandagan lastly secured a beforehand elusive Group 1 crown with a taking success within the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Second 4 occasions on the highest stage since hanging at Royal Ascot final summer season, Francis-Henri Graffard’s four-year-old has locked horns with a number of the finest round, performing admirably up in opposition to the likes of Metropolis Of Troy and most lately Jan Brueghel at Epsom.
Nevertheless, returned to dwelling soil he proved a minimize above the opposition in what appeared a stacked contest on paper, storming three and a half lengths away from Christophe Ferland’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure.
Graffard stated: “Nicely, he isn’t ungenuine. The race went rather well for him and I believed he was travelling far more into the rhythm of the race this time.
Mickael (Barzalona, jockey) stated he nonetheless needed to ask him to maintain up typically throughout the race however then within the straight, when there’s rhythm and he can observe the tempo, he can actually lengthen and quicken actually strongly. I believed he was actually spectacular.
“After Epsom my first conclusion was that he wanted the run most likely in opposition to that horse on that floor that day. I believed he got here on so much for that and I believe he is gaining expertise together with his jockey realizing him higher additionally.
“He is by no means run a foul race and he is both been crushed by a champion or circumstances. Right now all the pieces went his approach and we noticed how good he may very well be.
“I’ll clearly focus on the King George with connections, however he’s entitled to go to Ascot, it’s a place he has gained earlier than and I want to take him there 100 per cent.”
Calandagan’s victory capped a nice afternoon for Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs group as they earlier watched Daryz stay unbeaten with a powerful show within the Prix Eugene Adam.
George Scott’s Bay Metropolis Curler can rely himself unlucky to stumble upon the thrilling son of Sea The Stars, who after being shortened to only 14-1 for the Arc, might make a journey to York for the Juddmonte Worldwide Stakes later in the summertime.
“We’ll take it step-by-step with Calandagan and the subsequent race (at Ascot) is a giant one. However if you wish to discuss concerning the Juddmonte Worldwide then that could be a race I’ll put forwards for Daryz,” Graffard added to Sky Sports activities Racing.
“I’ll focus on with Princess Zahra the place she want to go, however I’ll most likely make an entry for Daryz at York and he’s a horse I like so much. I have to make him harder and provides him expertise and I believe he’ll get that if he goes overseas.”
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