Jan Brueghel Bests Calandagan in Coronation Cup

Jan Brueghel (IRE) upset Calandagan (IRE) to win the June 6 Coronation Cup (G1) for jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien at Epsom Downs Racecourse. The Aga Khan's Calandagan was sent off the 8-13 favorite to win his first group 1 after second-placed efforts in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), Champion Stakes (G1), and Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) but could not quite peg back last year's St Leger Stakes (G1) winner. The race was run at a genuine pace courtesy of the winner's stablemate Continuous (JPN), which was to the advantage of the strong-staying Jan Brueghel, who was dramatically ruled out of the Melbourne Cup (G1) last season after failing a vet check. Jan Brueghel passed Continuous and Ancient Wisdom (FR) to lead at the two-furlong pole, and although the held-up Calandagan attacked into the final furlong and briefly edged in front, he ultimately came up short by half a length of the son of Galileo at the finish. Moore told ITV Racing: "He stays the trip very well, he's an uncomplicated horse. Aidan had him, as he always does, in unbelievable shape. He showed a great attitude." "Ryan gave him an incredible ride," the trainer added. "I pitched him in over a mile and a quarter at Naas, but we just needed to get him out to start him. He's a very brave horse." It was a 10th win in the race for O'Brien and fifth for Moore. The pair combined to win the Epsom Oaks (G1) later Friday with Minnie Hauk (IRE) and will team up with Delacroix (IRE) in tomorrow's Epsom Derby (G1). The next stop for Jan Brueghel could be the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) over the same distance at Royal Ascot, while he boasts entries in both the Irish St Leger (G1) and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). His stablemate Illinois (IRE) is set to take on the marathon trip of Ascot's Gold Cup (G1). Giavellotto (IRE), the winner of the Hong Kong Vase (G1) in December and a last-out fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic, finished third on softer-than-desired ground for Marco Botti and Oisin Murphy.