Calandagan Storms To King George Triumph At Ascot

French favourite Calandagan came from down to walk Kalpana and triumph nan King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes astatine Ascot.

Calandagan, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, provided trainer Francis-Henri Graffard pinch his 2nd successive triumph aft Goliath past year.

The 11-10 favourite's cognition was questioned aft he mislaid retired successful a tight decorativeness to Jan Brueghel successful nan Coronation Cup astatine Epsom past period but location was nary doubting his solution this time.

"I'm truthful pleased for this horse," said Graffard aft Calandagan, moving successful nan greenish and reddish colours of nan Aga Khan, won by a length.

Jan Brueghel, trained by Aidan O'Brien, made nan moving astatine a dependable gait earlier eventual runner-up Kalpana deed nan beforehand going to nan last furlong.

Rebel's Romance, who was boxed successful connected nan rail, vanished 3rd successful nan five-runner race.

Calandagan won nan Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud past clip out, having vanished 2nd successful 4 consecutive top-level Group One races.

"I wanted to spot my equine getting into his hit and lengthening his stride, erstwhile I really saw him coming I started to shout," said Graffard.

"He won nicely again today, he's a bully horse, that's 2 successful statement now successful Group Ones."

Despite her defeat, Andrew Balding's Kalpana is now wide 8-1 favourite for nan Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe successful October.

The King George is simply a item of nan Flat racing play and it was announced connected Saturday nan title will go Britain's richest title adjacent twelvemonth pinch a prize money of £2m.

Boasting a purse of £1.5m this year, on pinch nan Derby astatine Epsom, its rotation telephone of winners see greats specified arsenic Nijinsky, Shergar, Dancing Brave and Galileo.

The 2025 King George renewal was nan 75th moving of nan title and came 50 years aft Grundy hit Bustino successful an epic billed arsenic 'the title of nan century'.