The market would suggest that the French-trained Calandagan is the horse to beat in Saturday’s Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Francis-Henri Graffard's gelding first announced himself on the international stage at Royal Ascot in June 2024, recording an easy six-length success in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. It was a notable victory – the last major win for owner HH The Aga Khan before he passed away in early 2025.

Originally expected to return over the same course and distance for the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, connections made the decision to drop back in trip for the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York, two months later instead, where he finished a close second behind City Of Troy.

Reflecting back on his Royal Ascot victory, Graffard said: "He did surprise me, and I think he surprised a lot of people that day. He slept at the back of the field and quickened very strongly before keeping going. It was a very strong performance at a very strong meeting.

"We decided to go to York and to drop back in distance and it was a fabulous run that day. It was his first attempt in a Group 1, and it was a very strong performance. I think the first and second broke the track record that day so it's a shame that City Of Troy was there."

Calandagan had one final run last season when finishing second behind Anmaat in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Ascot on a heavy track in October.

He ended the season as the joint fifth highest rated horse in the Longines Best Racehorse Rankings, only three pounds below Laurel River and City of Troy.

The gelding will face eight rivals in Saturday's Sheema Classic and is drawn in gate two, a similar inside draw to what he faced in the Juddmonte International.

Graffard is keen to "learn from my mistake" and allow the horse to settle into the race: "Hopefully, he doesn't find himself too far back, but I'm not going to make the same mistake as at Ascot and use the draw to get too close to the pace and force him.

"We will ride him for himself and if he's relaxed, we know he has a chance to come home strongly."

Calandagan had his final piece of track work at Meydan on Thursday. The watching Graffard was pleased with the horse but also appreciates the challenge Calandagan faces against his international rivals.

"It is a very strong Group 1. I always look at my horses; he is fit enough because, as you know, you have to be pretty fit to compete in a race like this at the start of the season. It is definitely a disadvantage compared to the Japanese horses.

"He had a racecourse gallop the other day at Saint-Cloud which I was very pleased with him, and he has come on a lot.

"He is not a heavy horse, and he ran well fresh in the International (finishing second at York last August).

"I'm not worried, he knows his job, I think he is 95%. He is fit to produce a very good performance, but it is a disadvantage compared to other horses that have had a run during the winter.

On Calandagan carrying the legendary silks of the Aga Khan Stud, he added: "They are very famous colours, and everybody associated with racing love these colours. It is a great pleasure to see them compete at this level and in races like this.

"We are here to be very competitive."