Calandagan Lands King George With Traffic-Free Rush

Not even the Ballydoyle brains trust could mastermind the downfall of Calandagan (IRE), who produced a potent turn of foot from the rear of the field to settle a tactical running of the £1.5 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 26 at Ascot Racecourse. The most valuable contest ever run at Ascot, the King George looked a straightforward affair on paper, with 40-1 shot Continuous (JPN) earmarked for pacesetting duties for last year's St Leger (G1) winner and stablemate Jan Brueghel (IRE). But Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore, and Continuous' rider Wayne Lordan had other plans, with Continuous restrained on the shoulder of Jan Brueghel, who set just a pedestrian early gallop. That meant their rivals would have to come around both Ballydoyle runners to challenge in the straight, but while Rebel's Romance (IRE) ran into a cul-de-sac up the inside, first Kalpana (GB) and then Calandagan were strong enough to circumnavigate their rivals and sail on by. Kalpana kicked first and in decisive fashion under Oisin Murphy, but Mickael Barzalona was sitting on something extra and played his trump card last of all as Calandagan unleashed a sustained burst of speed that took him past the leader in the final half-furlong to seal back-to-back wins in the King George for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. "What happened in the race came as a surprise," admitted Graffard, who nevertheless presented without a hair out of place during the debrief. "I was upset I didn't put (last year's winner) Goliath in the race today because everyone was expecting a lot of pace, but I have no regrets now seeing how the race was run. "Aidan and his team put a lot of work into the tactics and it's always interesting, but Calandagan is an easy ride and I'm glad he had time to come and catch the filly." Asked if there was ever a moment where he feared Kalpana had opened up a lead that would prove insurmountable, Graffard said: "Yes. It took him a little while to find his stride, but Mickael really helped him to balance. "Mickael said the last 200 meters are long here and he knew he was going to catch her, but when she kicked for home she was impressive and I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm going to finish second by a neck again'." Barzalona, winning his first group 1 in Britain since Sealiway (FR) triumphed in the 2021 Champion Stakes (G1) and 14 years on from winning the Epsom Derby (G1) on Pour Moi (IRE), was also taken aback with how the race unfolded, although it never caused him any serious concern. "I didn't expect that," the winning jockey said, "but once I saw Continuous beside Jan Brueghel and Rebel's Romance boxed in, I was happy where I was because I knew either William Buick (on Rebel's Romance) was going to make a gap or Oisin on Kalpana was going to have to go around." Despite his effectiveness over 1 1/2 miles, Graffard loves to compete, and the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) over 1 5/16 miles at York Aug. 20 now beckons for Calandagan. "He's in the Juddmonte International, so why not go there?" he added. "I wouldn't mind coming back in trip and then maybe going to Japan at the end of the season, but I have to discuss it with the Aga Khan team and Princess Zahra." If he does go to York he will likely face Delacroix (IRE), Camille Pissarro (IRE), and more tactics from Ballydoyle, but with a horse as good as Calandagan, there is little to fear. As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, the victory in the King George also granted Calandagan an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Last year Rebel's Romance took the Breeders' Cup Turf after another third-place finish in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Record Prize Money For Next Year Ascot officials announced Saturday the King George's purse would increase to £2 million in 2026. "We're delighted to confirm that we'll offer £2 million for next year's King George, making it the most valuable race ever run in Britain," Ascot chief executive Felicity Barnard said. "The roll call of winners over the last 75 years is unrivaled, and we're committed to ensuring that we continue to attract the very best horses to our midsummer highlight. "We're also conscious of ensuring that the race remains internationally relevant in an increasingly competitive global picture. These days, there are plenty of options for connections to run their horses worldwide and year-round, so it's vital that we find the right balance of prize money and prestige."