Calandagan prevails in Japan Cup thriller in record time

The Aga Khan Studs’ homebred Calandagan enhanced his burgeoning historical profile by outdueling favored Masquerade Ball in Sunday’s $6.9 million Japan Cup (G1). Not only did he become the first international shipper to prevail in 20 years, but the Francis-Henri Graffard trainee broke the course record in a thriller at Tokyo.

Calandagan arrived with an excellent resume – officially the highest-rated in the world, and Europe’s Cartier Horse of the Year, after sweeping the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1), and Champion (G1). Those last two victories at Ascot already put him in rarefied air, as only the all-time great Brigadier Gerard had turned the King George/Champion double a half-century ago, in 1972. 

Still, two decades’ worth of European disappointments in the Japan Cup allowed Calandagan to go off as the fourth choice at 5.20-1. The Gleneagles gelding defied the trend and, in the process, showed an implacable resolve in the heat of battle. Critics who had once questioned his tenacity were silenced.

The last foreign winner, the Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased (2005), had just lasted by a nose from a lunging Heart’s Cry. Thus, there was a certain symmetry to Calandagan’s hard-fought success over Masquerade Ball.

Yet Sunday’s renewal featured an added dash of drama down the stretch. The riderless Admire Terra, who parted company with Yuga Kawada right out of the gate, worked out a “winning” trip for himself. Matching strides with Masquerade Ball and Calandagan, he actually reached the wire in front, only for his solo effort not to count. 

Another plot twist involved the front-running Seiun Hades, who unexpectedly decided to blast away early. His pace was unsustainable, as he threw down fractions of :23.1, :46, 1:09.2, and 1:33.4. Climbing the Tokyo hill was the final straw, and Seiun Hades paid the price by midstretch.

Although the hard-luck Admire Terra pounced, Croix du Nord was the first proper runner to play his hand. The real action was beginning to unfold wider out, as Calandagan and Masquerade Ball moved in tandem. 

Under patient handling by regular rider Mickael Barzalona, Calandagan was produced at the right time to maximum effect. The sophomore Masquerade Ball was quickening too for Christophe Lemaire, and doing his utmost to repel the four-year-old invader. But Calandagan’s final 600-meter sectional in :33.2 was decisive as he headed his younger rival. 

Calandagan’s final time of 2:20.3 lowered Almond Eye’s course record of 2:20.6 that had stood since 2018. 

Just the second French-trained winner, after Le Glorieux (1987), Calandagan inspired a display of Gallic unity and sportsmanship. Barzalona and Lemaire grasped hands just past the wire.

Another 2 1/2 lengths back in third came Danon Decile, who had upset Calandagan in the April 5 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). Graffard was adamant that Calandagan had improved markedly in the interim, and he duly exacted revenge on Danon Decile’s home turf.

Croix du Nord tired to fourth, understandably in his homecoming following a tough 14th in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1). Considering that Croix du Nord had held on from Masquerade Ball in the course-and-distance Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1) on June 1, he could be a different customer in their next skirmish. Alternatively, Masquerade Ball might have outstripped Croix du Nord by this point. The rematch will shed much more light. 

Justin Palace rallied for fifth, replicating his result from last year’s Japan Cup. The mare Brede Weg steamed home from last to grab sixth, tying Masquerade Ball for the second-fastest closing sectional in :33.4. 

Next came Tastiera, Shin Emperor, Cosmo Kuranda, Struve, Deep Monster, Seiun Hades, Danon Beluga, Yoho Lake, Sunrise Earth, Ho O Biscuits, and Admire Terra, who reiterated his upside. Durezza was scratched.

Calandagan’s scorecard now stands at 14-8-5-1, including scores in last year’s Prix Noailles (G3), Prix Hocquart (G3), and the King Edward VII (G2) at Royal Ascot. The Irish-bred bay went on to place second in four straight – City of Troy’s course-record Juddmonte International (G1), the 2024 Champion (where he had trouble), his Dubai reappearance, and the June 6 Coronation Cup (G1) (where he didn’t appear to love the Epsom camber).

Those losses are now a distant memory, since Calandagan is brandishing a four-race winning spree at the highest level. 

Graffard was delighted that the long-range plan to pursue the Japan Cup paid off. 

“We were a little bit worried with the speed in the early parts of the race, but Mickael found a good lead behind Christophe Lemaire, and he traveled the whole way behind the right horse in the race, so that gave me a lot of confidence,” Graffard said.

“And then, we never had any trouble into the running, especially in the last bend and climbing up to the front. And the horse, after that, has been really, really brave. He’s a real champion, as everybody saw today. The race went really according to plan, and well done to the jockey for getting the right lead.”

Barzalona noted that Calandagan had to shrug off early adversity before grappling with Masquerade Ball.

“We were a bit roughed up by the horses coming from the outside and was tight in the beginning, but once we found our position and we found our rhythm, he traveled all the way very well,” Barzalona said. 

“I'm very happy with where I ended up during the race, which is when Christophe (Lemaire) came up with the favorite. I knew a good horse (Masquerade Ball) could bring me very close, and just when we got to the straight, I wasn't sure if he (Lemaire) was going or not, so I had to give a clear run to Calandagan and started to increase my pace.

“Chris, of course, actually was very close to us, and he even got probably a head in front of me when we got to the top of the hill, but Calandagan was the strongest.”

Calandagan was crowning a poignant year for the Aga Khan Studs. After Aga Khan IV's passing in early February, his daughter, Princess Zahra, presided over several major wins for the operation, including a historic Arc courtesy of Daryz. That race is not open to Calandagan as a gelding. 

Yet Calandagan is the maternal grandson of one of the Aga Khan’s most celebrated champions, Sinndar. The hero of the 2000 Arc, along with the Epsom/Irish Derby (G1) double, Sinndar sired Calandagan’s dam, the Group 3-placed Calayana. She hails from the family of French classic winner Clodovil, a line acquired by the Aga Khan from the Lagardere bloodstock holdings. 

That genetic heritage, nurtured over generations, produced Calandagan's athleticism. Graffard paid tribute to his pure ability:

“Calandagan is a very well-balanced horse. The mechanic of this horse is just unbelievable. And obviously, he has a very big heart. His action is fantastic – he is able to accelerate for a long period and keep that acceleration for a long time – so I think he has a physical attribute to be the champion he is.”