Dubai Sheema Classic Still On the Cards for Calandagan Following Saint-Cloud Gallop

[Wandering Eyes]

Calandagan (Gleneagles) warmed up for a potential tilt at the $6-million Dubai Sheema Classic with a racecourse gallop at Saint-Cloud on Sunday, with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard confirming that, as things stand, his globetrotting stable star remains an intended runner in the Middle East despite the ongoing conflict in the region.

“He needed to work harder than at home. It did him good and I'm satisfied,” Graffard told Equidia following the exercise before racing at Saint-Cloud. “Potentially, he could return to this track to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

“Before that, he could head to Dubai, although there are some uncertainties about the trip due to the current situation. For now, everything is in place for him to go. Princess Zahra Aga Khan is keen on the idea of ​​travelling there.”

Last year, Calandagan filled the runner-up spot behind Japanese raider Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) in the Dubai Sheema Classic, before returning to Europe where he registered three consecutive Group 1 triumphs in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champion Stakes. Last seen capping his outstanding season with a fourth top-level win in the Japan Cup, he was subsequently crowned Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2025.

The presence of Calandagan on World Cup night would be a welcome boost for officials in Dubai where racing has continued despite the threat of Iranian missile attacks. On Friday, racing was temporarily suspended at Meydan during the final meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival.

The conflict has caused connections of several leading World Cup night contenders to abandon their plans to travel to the UAE. Danon Decile, for example, was recently ruled out of a defence of his Dubai Sheema Classic crown, in favour of targets closer to home.

“We haven't made a decision yet on whether he goes to Dubai or not,” Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, added of Calandagan's prospects of making the trip.

“If he goes, he ships next Saturday. We will give ourselves the rest of the week to evaluate things and probably make a last-minute decision on Friday given what is happening in the Middle East.

“To be in a position to make a last-minute decision, you have to carry on and get him ready as if you are going to run, hence why he came to Saint-Cloud. It gives us the option to go and he seems in very good terms with himself. It might not have looked too impressive, but it was sticky ground and we were happy with him.”

Routh continued, “We have Rayevka still there [in Dubai] with our travelling head lad after running in the Super Saturday race and we are in contact daily.

“The staff there are quite low-key about it and don't feel particularly in danger or alarmed, but it's a very evolving situation and not one we have ever come across before.

“We're just trying to keep all options open as it would be the ideal race for him, but obviously we don't want to take any unnecessary risks. We will just monitor the situation and then make a decision on Friday on whether he ships Saturday.”

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