Latest news with #Graffard
New Paper
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Calandagan can do it again
French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is aiming to double the score in the £1.5 million (S$2.58 million) Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot on July 26. The desire to cross the English Channel and plunder one of UK's better-known riches is the same, but not quite the stress levels. Last year, the Chantilly handler had walked into the Ascot paddock, happy to fly under the radar with his charge Goliath, but quietly confident the 25-1 roughie could - unlike his namesake - turn giant-killer. However, Graffard was not so sure when he stood in the parade ring and glanced up at the market. "I was on my own, and Lisa my wife didn't come. I think I was 30-1 and I was like 'oh my god, I will probably look like a fool'," he said. However, the German-bred fooled pundits by upstaging a star-studded field that included the eventual Arc winner Bluestocking, 2023 Epsom Derby winner Auguste Rodin and Godolphin star Rebel's Romance, among others. "When he entered the straight, he was cruising, that was a really good thrill," said Graffard. "The way he won was fantastic and I want to go back there and win that race again." With Calandagan this time, the odds will be a lot shorter for the recent Group 1 first-time scorer. Four consecutive times bridesmaid at elite level, the Aga Khan-owned four-year-old gelding finally broke his duck at his last start, in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2,400m) on June 29. The five-time winner by Gleneagles is the 7-4 favourite in ante-post betting, a well-deserved status even if he will be up against a stronger band of performers than the ones he met in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Coolmore's Jan Brueghel was his nemesis in the last of that frustrating run of four Group 1 misses, the Coronation Cup (2,400m) at Epsom on June 6. Also entered are Epsom Derby-Irish Derby double winner Lambourn, Rebel's Romance who snapped a long run of outs for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby at Royal Ascot in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2,400m) on June 21, and interestingly, defending champion Goliath himself. Graffard has, however, indicated that Goliath's new American owner, John Stewart of the world's latest big-spending player Resolute Racing, would rather aim for the Grade 1 Arlington Million (2,000m) at Colonial Downs, US, on Aug 9 instead. Putting all his eggs in the one Calandagan basket does not seem to faze Graffard. In his eyes, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud win has put him up there with the big boys. "It was a real pleasure to see him winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. But it's really the way he did it that pleased me," he said. "The horse was very impressive that day. We got the job done and in a very good manner." The bullishness also stems from Calandagan already having a proven track record at Ascot, and over the same course and distance. In 2024, he won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (2,400m) at the Royal Ascot meeting, bolting up by six lengths. "He was so impressive that day. That was really nice to watch," recalled Graffard. The late Aga Khan's racing manager Nemone Routh shared the same enthusiasm. "He's a very consistent horse. Things probably do have to just fall a little bit right for him to get his head in front," she said. "But he's a very classy horse, consistent and genuine. So, we're looking forward to a good race at Ascot." A win would not only continue the legacy of the famous green and red epaulettes, but also its breeding arm. "We were really looking for that Group 1 win. So he's got that under his belt now," added Routh. "It is important to run internationally, for the Aga Khan studs, for the brand, for our stallions, for bloodstock." While such lofty expectations can weigh heavily on some trainers, they seem to strike a chord with Graffard. "When you do this sport, you want to be competitive and be seen on the bigger stage. There is no point winning small races," he said. "But when they asked me to train at Aiglemont (Aga Khan's stables), that's my way, I'm very competitive, I want to win big races. So, that was part of the deal." manyan@
RTÉ News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Calandagan impresses in first Group One win at Saint-Cloud
Calandagan claimed the elusive Group One success his connections craved with a decisive victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud under Mickael Barzalona. Second four times at the highest level since striking at Royal Ascot last summer, Francis-Henri Graffard's four-year-old has locked horns with some of the best around, performing admirably up against the likes of City Of Troy and most recently Jan Brueghel at Epsom. However, returned to home soil he proved a cut above the opposition in what appeared a stacked contest on paper, storming three and a half lengths clear of Christophe Ferland's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure. Calandagan is now challenging his Epsom conqueror Jan Brueghel for favouritism in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 26. Graffard said: "Well, he's not ungenuine. The race went really well for him and I thought he was travelling much more into the rhythm of the race this time. Mickael said he still had to ask him to keep up sometimes during the race but then in the straight, when there is rhythm and he can follow the pace, he can really lengthen and quicken really strongly. I thought he was really impressive. "After Epsom my first conclusion was that he needed the run probably against that horse on that ground that day. I thought he came on a lot for that and I think he's gaining experience with his jockey knowing him better also. "He's never run a bad race and he's either been beaten by a champion or circumstances. Today everything went his way and we saw how good he could be. "I will obviously discuss the King George with connections, but he is entitled to go to Ascot, it is a place he has won before and I would like to take him there 100%. Calandagan's victory capped a fine afternoon for Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs team as they earlier watched Daryz remain unbeaten with an impressive display in the Prix Eugene Adam. George Scott's Bay City Roller can count himself unfortunate to bump into the exciting son of Sea The Stars, who after being shortened for the Arc, could take a trip to York for the Juddmonte International Stakes later in the summer. "We'll take it step by step with Calandagan and the next race (at Ascot) is a big one. But if you want to talk about the Juddmonte International then that is a race I will put forwards for Daryz," Graffard added to Sky Sports Racing. "I will discuss with Princess Zahra where she would like to go, but I will probably make an entry for Daryz at York and he is a horse I like a lot. I need to make him tougher and give him experience and I think he will get that if he goes abroad."
North Wales Chronicle
20-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Graffard taking the positives as Zarigana suffers Coronation reverse
A granddaughter of the Aga Khan super mare Zarkava, Zarigana arrived at the Royal meeting looking to enhance her lofty reputation after winning the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, albeit via the stewards' room, at ParisLongchamp last month. However, the 6-4 favourite met a determined rival in Joseph Murphy's Cercene and despite edging ahead close home, gave back that advantage with a little interest in the dying strides as the raiding French team had to settle for second on this occasion. 'I need to buy a pair of blinkers, probably,' quipped Graffard to questions about Zarigana's attitude late in the day. 'It was very interesting what the jockey (Mickael Barzalona) said, he said she travelled really nicely, easily on the bridle, but as soon as she hit the front she completely changed in her attitude and threw her head up. 'It's very frustrating, but we try our best with her. She's a very talented filly and she didn't disgrace herself. You always think you can win easily and she has the ability to win easily, but we didn't get the job done today.' After suffering only the second defeat of her career, connections were refusing to be too downhearted, with the regally-bred filly one of two for the Graffard-Aga Khan Stud team to hit the crossbar in Friday's Group One events. Graffard added: 'I am lucky she is owned by a fantastic breeding operation and she has earned her place there. We don't need to put a pair of blinkers on her – she has earned her place at stud. She has a lot of ability and she will produce fantastic stock that will come here and beat everybody. 'It's very hard to be competitive here, firstly, and to win here is even harder. You come with very talented horses, but today I think we can't complain. We have two fillies placed in Group Ones (Zarigana and Rayevka in the Commonwealth Cup) and they earned their places at stud, and so for the operation it is very positive.' Back in third was Aidan O'Brien's January, who after twice chasing home 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower as a two-year-old was back to her best following a below-par return in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month. 'She ran OK, it was a little bit messy early, the race, but Ryan said she ran well, so we're happy and we think she will come forward a little bit. 'Maybe one of the fillies' races at Newmarket will be next for her, something like that.'
Leader Live
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Graffard taking the positives as Zarigana suffers Coronation reverse
A granddaughter of the Aga Khan super mare Zarkava, Zarigana arrived at the Royal meeting looking to enhance her lofty reputation after winning the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, albeit via the stewards' room, at ParisLongchamp last month. However, the 6-4 favourite met a determined rival in Joseph Murphy's Cercene and despite edging ahead close home, gave back that advantage with a little interest in the dying strides as the raiding French team had to settle for second on this occasion. 'I need to buy a pair of blinkers, probably,' quipped Graffard to questions about Zarigana's attitude late in the day. 'It was very interesting what the jockey (Mickael Barzalona) said, he said she travelled really nicely, easily on the bridle, but as soon as she hit the front she completely changed in her attitude and threw her head up. 'It's very frustrating, but we try our best with her. She's a very talented filly and she didn't disgrace herself. You always think you can win easily and she has the ability to win easily, but we didn't get the job done today.' After suffering only the second defeat of her career, connections were refusing to be too downhearted, with the regally-bred filly one of two for the Graffard-Aga Khan Stud team to hit the crossbar in Friday's Group One events. Graffard added: 'I am lucky she is owned by a fantastic breeding operation and she has earned her place there. We don't need to put a pair of blinkers on her – she has earned her place at stud. She has a lot of ability and she will produce fantastic stock that will come here and beat everybody. 'It's very hard to be competitive here, firstly, and to win here is even harder. You come with very talented horses, but today I think we can't complain. We have two fillies placed in Group Ones (Zarigana and Rayevka in the Commonwealth Cup) and they earned their places at stud, and so for the operation it is very positive.' Back in third was Aidan O'Brien's January, who after twice chasing home 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower as a two-year-old was back to her best following a below-par return in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month. 'She ran OK, it was a little bit messy early, the race, but Ryan said she ran well, so we're happy and we think she will come forward a little bit. 'Maybe one of the fillies' races at Newmarket will be next for her, something like that.'
Rhyl Journal
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Graffard taking the positives as Zarigana suffers Coronation reverse
A granddaughter of the Aga Khan super mare Zarkava, Zarigana arrived at the Royal meeting looking to enhance her lofty reputation after winning the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, albeit via the stewards' room, at ParisLongchamp last month. However, the 6-4 favourite met a determined rival in Joseph Murphy's Cercene and despite edging ahead close home, gave back that advantage with a little interest in the dying strides as the raiding French team had to settle for second on this occasion. 'I need to buy a pair of blinkers, probably,' quipped Graffard to questions about Zarigana's attitude late in the day. 'It was very interesting what the jockey (Mickael Barzalona) said, he said she travelled really nicely, easily on the bridle, but as soon as she hit the front she completely changed in her attitude and threw her head up. 'It's very frustrating, but we try our best with her. She's a very talented filly and she didn't disgrace herself. You always think you can win easily and she has the ability to win easily, but we didn't get the job done today.' After suffering only the second defeat of her career, connections were refusing to be too downhearted, with the regally-bred filly one of two for the Graffard-Aga Khan Stud team to hit the crossbar in Friday's Group One events. Graffard added: 'I am lucky she is owned by a fantastic breeding operation and she has earned her place there. We don't need to put a pair of blinkers on her – she has earned her place at stud. She has a lot of ability and she will produce fantastic stock that will come here and beat everybody. 'It's very hard to be competitive here, firstly, and to win here is even harder. You come with very talented horses, but today I think we can't complain. We have two fillies placed in Group Ones (Zarigana and Rayevka in the Commonwealth Cup) and they earned their places at stud, and so for the operation it is very positive.' Back in third was Aidan O'Brien's January, who after twice chasing home 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower as a two-year-old was back to her best following a below-par return in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month. 'She ran OK, it was a little bit messy early, the race, but Ryan said she ran well, so we're happy and we think she will come forward a little bit. 'Maybe one of the fillies' races at Newmarket will be next for her, something like that.'
