
Calandagan can do it again
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@sph.com.sg
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
French forward Hugo Ekitike joins Liverpool from Frankfurt
Find out what's new on ST website and app. LONDON - Liverpool have signed French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, the Premier League side announced on July 23, with media reports saying the deal was worth £69 million (S$120 million) plus add-ons. Ekitike is Liverpool's second-most expensive recruit in the close season after the Premier League champions signed Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, who can also play as winger or forward, in June for a club-record £100 million plus add-ons. 'The 23-year-old has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds, allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia later this week,' Liverpool said, in a statement. Former Paris St Germain player Ekitike had a breakout campaign in 2024-25, scoring 15 Bundesliga goals in 33 appearances. He also struck four times as Frankfurt reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Ekitike, who made his senior debut at Stade de Reims, joined PSG on loan in 2022, making 25 Ligue 1 appearances as they won the French top-flight. He went on loan to Frankfurt in 2023, before making the move permanent a year later. 'It's a strong story for him and Eintracht Frankfurt that he's moving to one of Europe's top teams with the greatest ambitions and opportunities,' Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche said in a statement. 'Hugo has earned this move, and it shows that we are capable of offering players a great prospect.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes World In landmark opinion, World Court says countries must address climate change threat Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents Sport Bukayo Saka the difference as Arsenal beat AC Milan at National Stadium Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth on Aug 15. REUTERS

Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forward Ekitike joins Liverpool from Frankfurt
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Bundesliga - SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt - Europa Park Stadion, Freiburg, Germany - May 17, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after the match as Eintracht Frankfurt finish the Bundesliga season in third place to qualify for the Champions League REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Liverpool have signed French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, the Premier League side announced on Wednesday, with media reports saying the deal was worth 69 million pounds ($93.65 million) plus add-ons. Ekitike is Liverpool's second-most expensive recruit in the close season after the Premier League champions signed Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, who can also play as winger or forward, in June for a club-record 100 million pounds plus add-ons. "The 23-year-old has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds, allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia later this week," Liverpool said in a statement. Former Paris St Germain player Ekitike had a breakout campaign in 2024-25, scoring 15 Bundesliga goals in 33 appearances. He also struck four times as Frankfurt reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Ekitike, who made his senior debut at Stade de Reims, joined PSG on loan in 2022, making 25 Ligue 1 appearances as they won the French top-flight. He went on loan to Frankfurt in 2023, before making the move permanent a year later. "It's a strong story for him and Eintracht Frankfurt that he's moving to one of Europe's top teams with the greatest ambitions and opportunities," Frankfurt Sporting Director Markus Kroesche said in a statement. "Hugo has earned this move, and it shows that we are capable of offering players a great prospect." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes World In landmark opinion, World Court says countries must address climate change threat Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents Sport Bukayo Saka the difference as Arsenal beat AC Milan at National Stadium Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth on August 15. REUTERS

Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Straits Times
Activists protest over Gaza during Tour de France, call for Israeli team to be barred
DIEULEFIT, France - Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists waved flags and unfurled banners on Wednesday as the Tour de France peloton rode through Dieulefit, a southeastern French town honoured as a "Town of the Just" for sheltering Jewish people during World War Two. A house was draped with Palestinian flags and protesters waved dozens more by the roadside. Cries of "Free Palestine" echoed through the town, as the riders cycled through. One banner read "Affamer c'est tuer", meaning "Starving is killing". Vanessa Huguenin, who runs a family-owned department store in Dieulefit, a town of about 3,000 people, said the action had been planned for nearly two months to take advantage of the Tour's visibility. 'We can't change Israel or Hamas, but we want our government to act, not just say 'it's not good'," she said. Such protests about international politics are relatively rare in the three-week annual race, in which fans line the route as the riders tackle daily stages. A small protest over the war in Gaza occurred during the first stage of last year's edition. A man was also arrested last Wednesday in Toulouse after running onto the final straight of the stage wearing a T-shirt reading "Israel out of the Tour" and waving a black and white keffiyeh headdress. Through a loudspeaker on Wednesday, a protester shouted: 'Mr Adams, spokesperson for a genocidal army," referring to Sylvan Adams, co-owner of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team competing in the race. The protester called for the team to be kicked out. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Sport Bukayo Saka the difference as Arsenal beat AC Milan at National Stadium Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Singapore Singapore Oceanarium will enhance tourism while supporting sustainability: Grace Fu Israel has repeatedly rejected that its military operation in Gaza amounts to genocide. "Israel-Premier Tech respects everyone's right to free speech which includes the right to protest," said a statement from Israel-Premier Tech, which is Israel's first elite cycling team, founded in 2014. "Our focus is on racing and we continue to work closely with race organisers and relevant parties to ensure that any protests do not jeopardise team members' safety, nor impact races, or our right to participate." The team have been granted extra security on the Tour, with police officers by the team bus and they were escorted by plain-clothed officers at the team's presentation in Lille. 'PROTECTING EVERYONE' Huguenin, 45, said the town's history inspired residents to act and said the protest had been peaceful. 'Here we say no one is a stranger. My grandparents hid people during the war. For us, being 'just' means protecting everyone, regardless of race or religion,' she said. The war between Israel and Hamas has been raging for nearly two years since the Palestinian militant group killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages from southern Israel in the deadliest attack in Israel's history, Israeli tallies show. Israel has since killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, Gaza's health ministry says. It has decimated Hamas as a military force, reduced most of the territory to ruins and forced nearly the entire population to flee their homes multiple times. The man arrested last Wednesday said he was due to stand trial for endangering the riders and refusing to give his fingerprints. He says the security officer who tackled him threw his walkie-talkie at him. Race organisers Amaury Sports Organisation declined to comment about either protest. REUTERS