French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has identified potential targets for his stable stars: the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Calandagan and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches heroine Zarigana.
Still recovering from a landmark second consecutive victory in Ascot's Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday, where Calandagan replicated the exploits of stablemate Goliath in 2024, Graffard spoke to Sky Sports Racing about his plans. The four-year-old gelding could head to York for his next assignment, with a possible run in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes where he could face the Gosdens' Field Of Gold.
"It's at the back of my head, I think that would be great for the sport if he could 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," Graffard said.
"I have to discuss it with the Princess [Zahra, Aga Khan], I haven't been in touch with her since (Saturday). He has some big targets in Japan, Hong Kong, the Breeders' Cup and Dubai, so I can't keep him going non-stop. At the moment, I'm probably going to go for a break with him."
Promoted to victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Zarigana suffered a narrow defeat to Cercene in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. In the aftermath of the race, Graffard has suggested the filly could step back in trip, a feeling he has retained.
"I am going to drop her back in distance. She's going to run in the Prix de La Foret. We never questioned the distance with her, but when you think about it, with her she always comes very strongly then stops. I wonder if it's not a question of stamina with her, and not just character. It could be for Woodshauna too, but he's a horse I'd prefer over six furlongs, so he's going to run in the Prix Maurice de Gheest in two weeks time, and he's entered at Haydock too."
Graffard also provided an update about the exciting Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam winner, Daryz, who is entered alongside fellow-Aga Khan Studs owned Calandagan at York.
"That would be a discussion I would need to have with the Princess. He's a really nice prospect, I really like him as a horse, but is he really ready to go into a race like that against very strong horses? It's a big question mark. The form of his win hasn't really worked out in the York Stakes the other day, so I have to see. If he doesn't go to York, it'll likely be the classical French way of the Prix Niel and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
