Tag Archive for: York

Joe Fanning booked for Nunthorpe favourite Lady Iman

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Joe Fanning has been booked to ride Goodwood winner Lady Iman in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month.

The two-year-old filly will have to be supplemented for the Group One sprint but after winning the Molecomb Stakes – Lady Iman’s fourth victory in five career starts – owners the O’Callaghan family indicated they would be keen to pitch their juvenile into the all-aged contest.

While trainer Ger Lyons admits he is not usually in favour of running two-year-olds against older horses, he feels Lady Iman has all the right qualities to take on the test, with the services of lightweight Fanning already secured for the Starman filly, who would carry just 8st 2lb on the Knavesmire.

Lyons said: “I’ve just booked Joe Fanning to ride her (in the Nunthorpe). Joe sat beside me in the weigh room.

“It’s what Roger (O’Callaghan) wants and if she goes and wins the Nunthorpe we’ll all be delighted.

“Personally, I don’t like seeing babies taking on older horses. If we ever have one to do it’s her as she has the temperament, but we have to get there yet.”

Lady Iman is the general 4-1 favourite for the five-furlong contest, with a supplementary entry costing £40,000.

International challenger Danon Decile enjoys gallops spin

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Japanese raider Danon Decile stepped up his Juddmonte International Stakes preparations with his first piece of work since arriving in Newmarket on Friday morning.

The Dubai Sheema Classic winner is a temporary resident at James Horton’s Beech Hurst Stables in the heartland of British racing ahead of his mouthwatering York clash with Eclipse one-two Delacroix and Ombudsman.

He had his first canter up the famous Warren Hill in the company of trainer Shogo Yasuda, who is pleased by how his charge has settled into his new surroundings and also has no concerns about reverting to a mile and a quarter after his Group One strike over further in Dubai.

Yasuda said: “We did travel very well, so we’re very satisfied.

Danon Decile making himself at home in Newmarket
Danon Decile making himself at home in Newmarket (York Racecourse)

“My training plan between the two weeks from here to York, the main thing is to take care of his mind – make him happy.

“I’m not concerned for the shorter distance. I believe he’s got a lot of experience from racing. I’m not worried about the drop in distance. He can adjust pace.”

Danon Decile is a five-time winner who will arrive at the Knavesmire in search of a hat-trick in the £1.25milllion feature of the Ebor Festival’s opening day after his Meydan win followed a valuable triumph in his homeland.

The four-year-old is as short as 4-1 with some bookmakers to scoop the prestigious Group One and he will be the second Japanese challenger in as many years to venture to Yorkshire after Durezza finished fifth in a race recognised as officially the best in the world 12 months ago.

Options home and abroad for promising filly Awaken

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Royal Ascot runner-up Awaken is poised to return to deeper waters after a brief drop back in grade to open her account at Leicester recently.

Second to Richard Spencer’s well-regarded Gold Digger at Yarmouth on debut, she reversed that form when again a silver medallist in the Albany Stakes at the Royal meeting, finishing a length and a half adrift of Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun in a race that is beginning to look a red-hot piece of form.

The daughter of Mehmas made all to open her account at Leicester and Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbreds said: “The Albany form is very strong and she has come out of the race really well, which she should have done really as it was just a piece of work for her in many ways.

“It was good to make her a winner and in that respect it was job done and now we can aim our sights towards black-type races again.”

Trained by George Boughey, Awaken is currently a single figure price for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes during York’s Ebor Festival, but she is not certain to line-up on the Knavesmire with connections also contemplating a step up in trip for Deauville’s Prix du Calvados.

Herbert continued: “It could be the Lowther next but I’m not sure that necessarily smells totally right at the moment and she has plenty of options. There’s also the Prix du Calvados in France and we think seven furlongs would very much be in her compass.

“There’s two or three races lurking and we do think now she’s got the win under her belt she is capable of taking that step back into black-type company and see how far she takes us.

“She’s a very scopey filly and it is also about next season as well and here at Highclere we’re forever dreaming she may develop into a 1000 Guineas prospect, it’s fantastically exciting.”

Walker lining up powerful squad for Ebor meeting

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Ed Walker is building up a strong team for the Ebor Festival at York later this month with two leading contenders for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes in Celandine and Mgheera.

The Lambourn handler has a third entry in the Group One sprint in Balmoral Lady but she is only likely to take her chance if the ground is soft.

Celandine won the Lowther Stakes at the track last year while Mgheera had to settle for second in the Sapphire Stakes in Ireland last time out, having won her first two starts for Walker.

“I think it’s probably unlikely we’ll run all three. It will probably be Celandine and Mgheera – or Balmoral Lady. To be competitive at that level, I think Balmoral Lady needs softer ground,” said Walker.

Celandine won the Lowther Stakes last year
Celandine won the Lowther Stakes last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Celandine’s in great form. She’s definitely trained on. I’m adamant that she will be comfortable with the five furlongs. I feel she just about hangs on over six – like she did in the Lowther – and I’m really excited about seeing her in a strong five furlongs. She showed great speed in the Molecomb as a two-year-old. The owners are supportive, so I think we’re going to roll the dice in the Nunthorpe.

“Mgheera, it’s been the plan since the Temple Stakes. We thought we’d take in Ascot and that went terribly wrong (withdrawn at the start). Then we felt we needed a run in between the Temple Stakes and the Nunthorpe, so squeezed in Ireland. That was a big run in Ireland – very happy with her. I just think the very slick nature of York, flat track, hopefully fast ground is exactly what she wants.

“We’re really excited about her. Touch wood, she’s in good nick – she’s a definite runner as long as the ground stays good or faster and she’s been training really well.”

Qilin Queen bounced back to form to win a Group Two in France last time out and is a possible for the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.

“She went to France and put in a huge effort that day,” said Walker. “I’ve given her plenty of time to freshen up. She’s just starting to show a spring in her step. We’re not hellbent on the Yorkshire Oaks but if it’s fast ground and she’s bucking and squealing, then we’ll have a go.”

Ten Bob Tony is another with a Group One entry in the newly upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes but he is ground dependent.

“He needs good ground or softer. He’s a horse who goes very well fresh – his best races are off the back of a break. He’ll go where the ground’s right.” said Walker.

Royal Fixation will attempt to give Walker back-to-back wins in the Lowther
Royal Fixation will attempt to give Walker back-to-back wins in the Lowther (Joe Giddens/PA)

One who is a definite runner is the filly Royal Fixation, who beat all bar the classy Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket.

Walker said: “It’s been the plan since Newmarket. We’ve always thought she’s very good. We’ve just been patient with her and the Lowther seems the perfect fit for her. She’s training great. She’s very quick, very talented and I think York will really suit her. Hopefully we’ve got a live chance with her.”

Do Or Do Not has the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on his radar.

Staya firmly on course for Lowther test

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George Scott is relishing unleashing his star juvenile Staya in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York after going close at Ascot last time.

The Dragon Stakes scorer found only Hugo Palmer’s Fitzella too strong in her first try at six furlongs in the Princess Margaret Stakes, but her Newmarket handler is confident the youngster is “near the top of the class”, with the Knavesmire Group Two the obvious next step.

“We were very pleased with Staya. She ran another great race, took another step forward and is going to head to the Lowther – all roads lead to York,” said Scott.

“It’s a slightly easier six furlongs and hopefully we can get away cleaner from the gate this time and it will certainly be a race we are looking forward to with her.

“You feel like you would be overcomplicating things by going elsewhere and she’s near the top of the class in her division and let’s see how she gets on, it should be the prefect track for her.”

While Staya is fully on course for a trip to the Ebor Festival, Scott is keen to see rain on the forecast before deciding if Bay City Roller will return to Yorkshire to take up his engagement in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

He was slowly away when contesting the York Stakes on his most recent outing, something which ultimately put paid to any chance of victory in a red-hot event.

However, Scott is unperturbed as he stresses ground conditions could ultimately determine the son of New Bay’s next move.

“If you look at the bare result you could be disappointed, but he got left six lengths in the gate and you can’t do that in any race,” continued Scott.

“He got himself tangled up and jumped out awkwardly and got detached, but at the end of the day he’s finished almost upsides the other three-year-olds.

“So obviously you would be disappointed with the finishing result, but I think the horse is certainly much better than that.

“If it was to rain at York he would run (in the Great Voltigeur) and he won’t run again until we get the right conditions. It was a bit of a blot on his scorecard, but nothing to worry about.”

Merchant route could encompass York or France

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The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York or a trip to France for the Prix Niel have been identified as the possible next step for the exciting Merchant.

Trained by William Haggas for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, all connected remain on cloud nine after the son of Teofilo followed up his Royal Ascot triumph in a wet and gloomy Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and he will attempt to carry on climbing the middle-distance ladder once recovering from his exertions on the Sussex Downs.

“We’re all so thrilled and everyone is absolutely delighted. It was the most extraordinary day’s racing and we were just relieved he managed to get his nostril in front,” said Highclere’s Harry Herbert.

“He’s having a well-deserved quiet week now and then William will decide, as he sees how the horse has come out of the race, whether we go to the Voltigeur (August 20) or a race like the Prix Niel (September 7) in France.”

The last four Gordon Stakes winners have gone on to contest the St Leger but connections of Merchant were coy on the idea of the Doncaster Classic in the immediate aftermath of his Goodwood triumph.

The colt’s name was a notable omission from the entries for the Town Moor showpiece earlier this week, with his team confirming their initial thought process of remaining at a maximum of a mile and a half for the time being.

Herbert explained: “We have been talking together for some time and sometimes these things are not quite explicable, other than your own gut feeling and that of the trainer as well, and going a mile and six at this time of his career didn’t appear to be in the best interest of the horse going forwards.

Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant
Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Rightly or wrongly we have made that decision and we’ll see how we get on when he steps up another grade next time.”

The St Leger may have been shelved, but Merchant’s Gordon Stakes triumph ignited dreams of a greater prize in the autumn, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now firmly coming into sight.

Currently without an entry for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize, Merchant still has to convince all associated to stump up the €120,000 required to supplement, but a strong showing in his next outing could see the Highclere team embarking on a voyage to the French capital on October 5.

“When the entries closed for the Arc it would have been absolutely ridiculous as I think he was rated 82 at the time and it’s not something you can enter willy-nilly,” added Herbert.

Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot
Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“But having said that, we think the Arc must not be dismissed and, as the fast-improving three-year-old he is, you never know. If it’s not right he won’t run, but if it is and he’s won a Voltigeur or a Prix Niel, then we would absolutely consider it.

“Every race now is exciting and when I looked at him, even in that appalling weather at Goodwood, as he was going round the parade ring before the Gordon, you could see a significant change since Ascot and I think there is significant progression to come.

“He’s in the most capable hands with William and his team and we will keep everything crossed. We’re looking forward to the next step wherever he goes and wherever William thinks is the best option having had that very hard race at Goodwood.”

Goodwood victor Fox Legacy set Strensall task

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Fox Legacy, one of the most impressive winners at Goodwood last week, has the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York on August 23 as his next target.

The former Sir Michael Stoute inmate has improved dramatically this season, rising from a rating of 90 to a lofty 116, and proved his liking for York when winning the John Smith’s Cup. He then won what looked a tight nine-furlong conditions race at Goodwood by five and a half lengths.

“As long as all is OK he will probably go to the Strensall,” said Alastair Donald, racing manager for owners King Power Racing.

“There are international options after that, places like Bahrain, and he has been put in the Champion Stakes as well.

“In the Hunt Cup he didn’t have a great draw and in hindsight Oisin (Murphy) said he didn’t go fast enough that day to bring his stamina into it, so I don’t think we’ll be going back to a mile again.

“I think 10 furlongs is his trip. He ran over a mile and a half for Sir Michael, he probably didn’t stay it but it wouldn’t be crazy to think that at some point in the future he’d try it again.

“The joy of him is that he goes on all ground which makes life a lot easier to plan.

“He was really impressive at Goodwood and had that race been 10 furlongs, who knows how far he might have won.”

Maranoa Charlie captains strong Bond squad at York

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Maranoa Charlie will spearhead Bond Thoroughbred’s quest for victory on home soil, with the local operation assembling a stellar squad for action at York’s Ebor Festival.

Although trained by Christopher Head in France, the Prix Jean Prat runner-up will have plenty of support when he represents the racing entity of the late Reg Bond which is now overseen by son Charlie, as he seeks Group One compensation in the newly-upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

“Christopher has said he is in great form and is looking forward to bringing him over for the Group One,” said Charlie Bond.

“This has been his aim ever since the Prix Jean Prat and we will just have to see what turns up, but his determination and how he battles against horses is tremendous and his main asset.”

Maranoa Charlie may be the main attraction for the Bond Thoroughbred team, but the owners – who hail from nearby Pocklington – received a boost on Monday when Paddy Twomey’s Bonus Time booked her ticket to the Knavesmire in winning at Naas.

Bond added: “She was identified by Paddy when she was in the Ascot sale and she’s got a lovely pedigree by Too Darn Hot. He had seen her racing in Ireland and she was good at Naas.

“She heads to York now for the seven-furlong handicap on the Thursday (British EBF Fillies’ Handicap).”

Bonus Time was a good winner at Naas
Bonus Time was a good winner at Naas (PA)

Twomey could also saddle once-raced two-year-old Bond in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, while the likes of Pocklington, unbeaten three-year-old Big Leader and recent course scorer Air Force One are all trained locally by Geoff Oldroyd and pencilled on the York teamsheet.

“Hopefully the Reg Bond colours can land a winner at the local track and one of the best racecourses in the world,” continued Bond.

“We’re flying at the moment and having plenty of winners and Paddy is running at a 35 per cent strike-rate for us and Geoff Oldroyd is at 30 per cent which is pretty much amazing.

“We’ve quite a big team going to York. Pocklington will go for the six-furlong handicap on the Saturday (Sky Bet Constantine Handicap) and we expect him to have a big chance as he just had a big row of horses in front of him and had to try to switch out last time.

“Big Leader is unbeaten, he’s won three out of three and we’ve had some big offers come in for him. We’re not interested and he will head for the Sky Bet Mile Handicap on the Friday.

“Paddy is bringing Bond across for the Convivial, he was very green first time out round a bend in Ireland, but we’re hoping he can be very competitive.

“We will also run Air Force One who won over five furlongs last time, but is now trying to get five and a half furlongs on the Wednesday (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap). He’s all-out speed and I’m sure he will be near the front with half a furlong to go, it’s just if he lasts home.

“It’s great that we have this team for York. We missed Royal Ascot with some of ours, which was hard to do, but at the end of the day we knew we would have a team ready to go for York and hopefully we have some lively chances.”

Argentine Tango booked for Lowther Stakes bid

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Argentine Tango will stay closer to home for her next start with Tim Easterby planning a raid on the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

The Mattmu filly has kept on improving all season, winning a Listed race at Newmarket before finishing third to Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

Last week at Goodwood she found only the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman too good in the Molecomb Stakes over five furlongs and will step back up to six at York for the Great Habton trainer.

“She’s come out of Goodwood really well. She’s tough, she must be because she’s had seven races now and keeps coming back for more,” said Easterby.

“You get racehorses every now and again who just want to gallop and she is one of them.

“She’ll go back up to six furlongs now, she definitely runs in the Lowther next and she won’t be without a chance.

“She’s been a bit of a star for us already this season.”

Field Of Gold to miss International assignment at York

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Field Of Gold will bypass York’s Juddmonte International Stakes as he continues his recovery from the setback sustained when suffering a shock defeat at Goodwood last week.

John and Thady Gosden’s Irish 2,000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero was discovered to be lame after tasting defeat for just the second time this season in the Sussex Stakes and although there are encouraging signs in his recuperation, a step up to 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire has been ruled out by his team.

The son of Kingman will undergo X-rays on Wednesday which will give a clearer indication of the prognosis, with Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon saying: “The horse is doing well and was back sound, which is good.

Field Of Gold on his way to post at Goodwood
Field Of Gold on his way to post at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He’s got a little bit of swelling in his fetlock but John and Thady are much happier with him so the plan is to do the X-ray on Wednesday – they’ve just pushed it back a day, as the longer you can leave it, the clearer the picture is.

“That will give us some more insight and if the X-ray is clear, we can hopefully start back into some light exercise towards the end of the week or early next week.

“York though is definitely not going to happen at this stage.”

Having dazzled when claiming Classic honours in Ireland and scorching to St James’s Palace Stakes victory at the Royal meeting, there has been plenty of conversation over whether Field Of Gold will try to repeat those heroics up in trip or continue to be the stand out performer of the year at eight furlongs.

The Juddmonte star holds entries in both the Prix du Moulin (ParisLongchamp, September 7) and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Ascot, October 18) at a mile later in the campaign, while he could yet test the waters up in distance in Leopardstown’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on September 13.

Field Of Gold dazzled in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot
Field Of Gold dazzled in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

However, the colt’s name was notably missing from the entries for the Qipco Champion Stakes over further on the same afternoon as his engagement in the QEII, with race planning currently taking a backseat until one of the season’s top performers returns to full fitness.

Mahon added: “It was the plan pre-Goodwood to stick at a mile for the time being and obviously there has been no chat about potential races since Goodwood, we’re just going to have to let the dust settle and let him get back into exercise and then when he is fit make a plan from there.

“You are getting into that time of year when there is not an abundance of opportunities and there is the Moulin, QEII or you go up to a mile and a quarter for the races at that distance.

“So I wouldn’t say there is a huge amount of options, but we’ll just wait and see and let the horse tell us.”

While the Gosdens might not have Field Of Gold in the Juddmonte International, they still have a very strong contender in Ombudsman.

Ombudsman impressed in the Price of Wales's Stakes
Ombudsman impressed in the Price of Wales’s Stakes (David Davies/PA)

“He won the Prince of Wales’s first time in a Group One and showed he’s up to that level. The Eclipse, again he ran a very good race, beaten by a top-class three-year-old (Delacroix) coming through,” said Thady Gosden.

“He’s come out of that race well, had a little freshen up and (is) heading to the Juddmonte International hopefully.

“He’s such a genuine horse, has got the speed required and hopefully can run a good one there.

“It’s a career-defining race for a lot of horses. If you win the Juddmonte International it certainly means a lot – depth of the field and the quality to it. And then, of course, York’s a very fair track; so often the best horse wins and it’s something that everyone aspires to.”

Williams believes Quinault has ‘more to offer’ at York

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Quinault will aim to extend his unbeaten run at York to four in what is sure to be a red-hot renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes on August 23.

Stuart Williams’ prolific winner booked his spot in the new Group One when successful in the Criterion Stakes on the Knavesmire in June, a race which qualified him to start in the City of York.

“We had him spot on for that race (in June) and you’re delighted to win a race there, of that prestige, and get the win-and-you’re-in prize for the City of York,” said Williams.

“He obviously loves the track, it’s suited him really well and he’s unbeaten up there.

“It’s hard to assess what’s going to run at the moment, but they’ll have to run hard to beat him. He tries like hell and wherever he finishes he’ll do his absolute best. They’ll have to keep up with him because he’ll go a good clip – and he keeps going.

“In the race (the Criterion) he won there, they were sort of catching him halfway up the straight, but he did the second-quickest last furlong, so he was not stopping at the end. We’re hopeful he can do that again.

“I still think he’s got more to offer – I still think he’s on his improve.”

He added: “I think it’s an important thing for the calendar to have a Group One seven-furlong race in Britain – it fits in well with the (Prix de la) Foret, which is six weeks further down the line. It should be a nice stepping-stone for that.

“We’ll enjoy the day whatever happens, I’m sure he’ll do his best and he won’t be far away.”

Nunthorpe challenge still in the mix for Lady Iman

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The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes remains a tantalising option for Lady Iman after she provided the O’Callaghan family with another memorable moment in a dream summer at Goodwood.

It is often said that one man’s misfortune is another man’s gain and after bringing the hammer down for £185,000 at the sales before being returned to her breeders following a failed post-sale veterinary examination, few would have blamed the O’Callaghans of Tally-Ho Stud fame for feeling despondent.

However, sent into training with Ger Lyons, Lady Iman has proven a standard-bearer in more ways than one, both excelling on the track in the O’Callaghan silks and becoming the perfect advertisement for Tally-Ho’s freshman sire Starman in the process.

After three straight victories Lady Iman and her striking white face met a bump in the road at the Curragh in the Airlie Stud Stakes, but was soon back showcasing the speed that has been a hallmark of her career to date to leave the opposition trailing with a dazzling display in the Molecomb Stakes.

“It was great to see her win again and we’re living the dream and we’ll see where she takes us,” said Roger O’Callaghan, son of Tony and Anne O’Callaghan.

“She’s been awesome since we couldn’t sell her. Before Christmas she was showing plenty and looked a bit different. She’s always shown loads and her temperament is second to none. She is why Starman looks to be a good stallion, as she has got his speed and his temperament.

“We’re all enjoying it and hopefully we’re not finished yet.”

Lady Iman returns after her Goodwood win
Lady Iman returns after her Goodwood win (Andrew Matthews/PA)

It was not just the speed shown by Lady Iman on the racecourse the O’Callaghans enjoyed at Goodwood, as unlike their star performer, they were asked to take the foot off their gas when getting to experience horse power of a different kind and invited to try out the South Downs’ famous motor circuit.

And having enjoyed the hospitality provided during Lady Iman’s first raid to Britain, the owners are now left to ponder the next steps of the thriving juvenile’s career.

With a ticket to the $1million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint ready to be cashed in later in the year courtesy of her Molecomb triumph, the chance to become the first two-year-old Nunthorpe winner since Kingsgate Native in 2007 is getting connections thinking after she was made the general 4-1 favourite for a daring raid on the Knavesmire’s sprint feature.

“Personally I would like to go for the Nunthorpe,” continued O’Callaghan.

“Dad and myself own the filly together and dad might prefer the filly to stick to her own age group, but if she’s fit and well, I would like to take on the elders, you have to live the dream and live for the moment.

“We’ll worry about it when the time comes, there’s a few weeks yet and we would have to write a bit of a cheque (to supplement), so we’ll see.

“The trainer is very keen on the Breeders’ Cup and Goodwood was a ‘win and you’re in’. We’ll take it one day at a time, but I would like to go to York next.”

Danon Decile ready to go in search of International honours

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Japanese star Danon Decile has completed his final workout before leaving for the UK and his bid for glory in the Juddmonte International at York on August 20.

The four-year-old was put through his paces at Ritto Training Centre and was ridden by his trainer, Shogo Yasuda.

Danon Decile won the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April, beating the top-class Calandagan, who has won two Group Ones since, by a length and a quarter.

“We wanted to see how well he could settle behind another horse while going left-handed, and also get a sense of how much pressure he can handle once he’s over there (in the UK). He’s handled the heat well and managed his time leading up to quarantine smoothly,” Yasuda told Japan’s Daily Sports.

“He’s matured since the Dubai trip, but there’s still a bit of youth in him. If he can grow from this experience, I’m excited about what’s to come.”

Calandagan not certain to take Juddmonte International chance

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King George hero Calandagan appears far from certain to line up in the Juddmonte International at York next month, with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard suggesting he could keep his powder dry for major targets on foreign soil later in the year.

Fresh from securing a belated first Group One victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the four-year-old comprehensively turned the tables on his Coronation Cup conqueror Jan Brueghel to provide his trainer with back-to-back wins in Saturday’s Ascot feature following Goliath’s triumph 12 months ago.

Calandagan found only City Of Troy too strong in the Juddmonte International last summer – but while Graffard is not ruling out a return to the Knavesmire, he feels his stable star will need a break at some stage if he is to head abroad in the latter part of 2025.

“He came back yesterday (Sunday) lunchtime and ate everything. He lost 13 kilos, which is normal, and he was at the track this morning and seems fine,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“It (Juddmonte International) is in the back of my head and he is entered. I think that would be great for the sport if he can go there, (but) he showed that a mile and a half on good ground is what he really likes and where he’s very efficient.

“I have to discuss it with the Princess (Zahra, who leads the management team of the Aga Khan Studs) and I haven’t been in touch with her since (Saturday). He has big targets in Japan, Hong Kong, the Breeders’ Cup and Dubai, so I can’t keep him going non-stop and will probably have to stop at one stage.

“I have to discuss it with the Princess, but at the moment I am probably going to go for a break with him.”

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard at Ascot
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Graffard has a second Aga Khan-owned Juddmonte International entry in the form of Daryz, who was last seen stretching his unbeaten record to four in the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam.

When asked whether he was a possible contender for the York feature, Graffard added: “He is, again that would be a discussion I need to have with the Princess.

“He’s a very nice prospect, Daryz, I really like the horse, but is he ready to go into a race like the Juddmonte International against these very strong horses? It’s a big question mark.

“If he doesn’t go to York, he can go the classic French way of the Prix Niel and the Arc.”

Graffard also confirmed the Prix de la Foret as a likely target for French Guineas heroine and Coronation Stakes runner-up Zarigana, while Prix Jean Prat victor Woodshauna is being aimed at the Prix Maurice de Gheest ahead of a possible trip to Haydock for the Sprint Cup in September.

Royal Champion too good for Almaqam in York Stakes

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Royal Champion was highly impressive with a decisive triumph over Almaqam in the Sky Bet York Stakes.

Trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Clifford Lee, the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned seven-year-old started at 8-1 as the market revolved around Ed Walker’s 6-4 favourite Almaqam.

Lee kept his mount in a handy position and was happy to bide his time as the race developed, and though Almaqam did hit his stride late on he was no match for Royal Champion as he strode to a career-best two-and-three-quarter-length win.

“He’s cantered round, they all seemed to be coming off it (the bridle) while he was still travelling well,” said Burke.

“Cliff said that’s the best he’s ever picked up and quickened. He was working nicely, but he always works nicely – I thought that was a massive step up on what he’s done, they can’t all have run bad races, can they?

“He was always travelling strongly and when Cliff pushed the button he just picked up.

“There are not that many races to go for with him, he’s won his Group Three and you’re always looking to step up.

“This looked a nice race, it’s York and it’s local, I was hoping the ground would be a bit quicker, but he’s handled that.

“We were hoping for a good run. We’ve had winners (recently), but there’s been a few just not quite going our way.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck for Sheikh Obaid lately, so it is nice to get a Group Two for him.”

Almaqam was no match for Royal Champion
Almaqam was no match for Royal Champion (PA)

Of next steps for the seven-year-old, Burke added: “I’ll have to talk to the owner and see if he wants to supplement him for the Juddmonte International after that performance, we’ll have a good chat.

“He was second in Woodbine for Roger Varian (in the Canadian International Stakes), that could be a nice Group One to go for.

“He’s a lovely horse and he goes on the all-weather as well, hopefully he’s a horse we can campaign around the world.

“Why not go to the Irish Champion Stakes? He owes us nothing, but I’ll have to chat to the owner.”