Calandagan Ranked Second Only To Ka Ying Rising By Timeform

[Wandering Eyes]

The Aga Khan Studs' Calandagan, fresh off a victory in the G1 Champion Stakes, has been ranked 133 by Timeform, second only to Hong Kong Horse of the Year and recent G1 The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), who is at 135. The ranking is the highest for a European horse this year. The Hong Kong invader received a mark of 128 for his Australian heroics.

The son of Gleneagles surpassed the mark of 131 given to Daryz (Sea The Stars), who also races in the iconic green with red epaulettes, in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe two weeks ago. In the Ascot contest, Calandagan defeated the 130-ranked Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), who ran second. A trio of horses sit at 129–Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), Delacroix (Dubawi), fourth in the Champion Stakes, and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who has won the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and the GI Travers Stakes this year.

Timeform handicapper Rory King said, “The Champion Stakes looked the race of the season on paper, Ombudsman and Delacroix – both having a victory over the other this summer – joined by King George winner Calandagan in a heavyweight clash, the like of which is rarely seen in Europe.

“In many ways Calandagan's the perfect middle-distance horse. He had the speed to put himself in a winning position through the first half of the straight and the mile-and-a-half stamina to fend off Ombudsman once that one had got within half a length, the mettle he showed in pulling clear putting to bed any remaining doubts over his attitude that crept in following defeat to Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup.”

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