image credit: Planet Horse Racing“True Champion”: Calandagan Breaks Record And Ends 20-Year Drought In Tribute To Aga Khan
The European star, carrying the legendary silks of His Highness the Aga Khan, delivered a landmark Japan Cup victory — the first by an overseas runner since Alkaased in 2005 — while breaking Almond Eye’s 2400m world record.
Once considered a global showcase, the Japan Cup regularly welcomed dominant international challengers. But since Alkaased’s triumph nearly two decades ago, that door had remained firmly closed — until Calandagan forced it open.
“Very good. Mission accomplished.”
Those were the measured but telling words of jockey Mickael Barzalona, moments after guiding the French-trained champion to a historic win in the fading Tokyo light. For a whole generation of fans, it was the first time they had witnessed a foreign-trained horse lift the G1 Japan Cup.
Calandagan’s finishing time of 2:20.3 was extraordinary, trimming 0.3 seconds off Almond Eye’s 2018 world record.
This victory was built on more than raw ability. It reflected the enduring philosophy of the late Aga Khan IV — the great owner-breeder whose influence shaped Calandagan’s path before his passing in February. The achievement was carefully planned by a trainer enjoying a career-defining season and a dedicated team determined to continue the Aga Khan legacy.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan explained the thinking behind sending Calandagan to Japan.
“You never go to a race thinking that you are going to win, but you are always hoping that you might,” she said. “It’s horse racing. You have to run the right horse on the right day for the right course. So if it’s the right racecourse, the right timing, and the right horse, then we will travel with horses. As Francis said from the beginning of the year, Calandagan was the horse for this race, and he had planned this for a very long time.”
The rider entrusted with delivering that mission was Barzalona, newly appointed as lead jockey for the Aga Khan Studs this year.
Drama struck immediately when Yuga Kawada was unseated from Admire Terra as the gates opened. As the field settled, Seiun Hades went forward alone, setting a fast early tempo with a 57.6-second split for the first 1000m.
Calandagan positioned himself in the mid-to-rear group and remained composed despite interference from a rival shifting in from the outside.
“I was following one of the favourites, Christophe’s horse,” Barzalona explained.
The home straight produced a gripping conclusion. Calandagan’s route was challenged by Christophe Lemaire — once the Aga Khan’s first jockey — and the top Japanese three-year-old, Masquerade Ball.
“He played a lot with us, maybe pulling me a head in front of him when we got to the top of the hill, but Calandagan was the strongest,” Barzalona said.
Describing the European-trained star as a “true champion”, Barzalona praised the acceleration that carried Calandagan to a narrow but decisive head victory. It marked the first time since 2005 that an overseas horse had overcome Japan’s elite on their home turf — a testament to the Aga Khan family’s philosophy of sending the “right horse” to the “right course” on the “right day”.
“Calandagan did a perfect season. He proved in Europe he was the best. He came over here and was able to beat the best horse in Japan. So he’s definitely the best horse of the year,” the rider added.
For trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, the win crowned a record-setting season with 14 Group 1 victories — surpassing André Fabre’s long-standing French record. His exceptional year included Calandagan’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champion Stakes triumphs, as well as Daryz’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success for the Aga Khan Studs.
The triumph carried emotional significance for the team, following the passing of the Aga Khan earlier this year.
“Of course, I miss my father very much, and he was involved, but in terms of the operation, we continue to do what we do,” Princess Zahra said.
As the green and red colours gleamed in the Tokyo twilight, many felt the Aga Khan’s legacy watching over the moment.
Calandagan has now underlined his status as arguably the world’s best racehorse, delivering a performance that will be remembered for generations by racing fans in Japan and beyond.
The European star, carrying the legendary silks of His Highness the Aga Khan, delivered a landmark Japan Cup victory — the first by an overseas runner since Alkaased in 2005 — while breaking Almond Eye’s 2400m world record.
Once considered a global showcase, the Japan Cup regularly welcomed dominant international challengers. But since Alkaased’s triumph nearly two decades ago, that door had remained firmly closed — until Calandagan forced it open.
“Very good. Mission accomplished.”
Those were the measured but telling words of jockey Mickael Barzalona, moments after guiding the French-trained champion to a historic win in the fading Tokyo light. For a whole generation of fans, it was the first time they had witnessed a foreign-trained horse lift the G1 Japan Cup.
Calandagan’s finishing time of 2:20.3 was extraordinary, trimming 0.3 seconds off Almond Eye’s 2018 world record.
This victory was built on more than raw ability. It reflected the enduring philosophy of the late Aga Khan IV — the great owner-breeder whose influence shaped Calandagan’s path before his passing in February. The achievement was carefully planned by a trainer enjoying a career-defining season and a dedicated team determined to continue the Aga Khan legacy.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan explained the thinking behind sending Calandagan to Japan.
“You never go to a race thinking that you are going to win, but you are always hoping that you might,” she said. “It’s horse racing. You have to run the right horse on the right day for the right course. So if it’s the right racecourse, the right timing, and the right horse, then we will travel with horses. As Francis said from the beginning of the year, Calandagan was the horse for this race, and he had planned this for a very long time.”
The rider entrusted with delivering that mission was Barzalona, newly appointed as lead jockey for the Aga Khan Studs this year.
Drama struck immediately when Yuga Kawada was unseated from Admire Terra as the gates opened. As the field settled, Seiun Hades went forward alone, setting a fast early tempo with a 57.6-second split for the first 1000m.
Calandagan positioned himself in the mid-to-rear group and remained composed despite interference from a rival shifting in from the outside.
“I was following one of the favourites, Christophe’s horse,” Barzalona explained.
The home straight produced a gripping conclusion. Calandagan’s route was challenged by Christophe Lemaire — once the Aga Khan’s first jockey — and the top Japanese three-year-old, Masquerade Ball.
“He played a lot with us, maybe pulling me a head in front of him when we got to the top of the hill, but Calandagan was the strongest,” Barzalona said.
Describing the European-trained star as a “true champion”, Barzalona praised the acceleration that carried Calandagan to a narrow but decisive head victory. It marked the first time since 2005 that an overseas horse had overcome Japan’s elite on their home turf — a testament to the Aga Khan family’s philosophy of sending the “right horse” to the “right course” on the “right day”.
“Calandagan did a perfect season. He proved in Europe he was the best. He came over here and was able to beat the best horse in Japan. So he’s definitely the best horse of the year,” the rider added.
For trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, the win crowned a record-setting season with 14 Group 1 victories — surpassing André Fabre’s long-standing French record. His exceptional year included Calandagan’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champion Stakes triumphs, as well as Daryz’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success for the Aga Khan Studs.
The triumph carried emotional significance for the team, following the passing of the Aga Khan earlier this year.
“Of course, I miss my father very much, and he was involved, but in terms of the operation, we continue to do what we do,” Princess Zahra said.
As the green and red colours gleamed in the Tokyo twilight, many felt the Aga Khan’s legacy watching over the moment.
Calandagan has now underlined his status as arguably the world’s best racehorse, delivering a performance that will be remembered for generations by racing fans in Japan and beyond.
