The World’s best racehorse for 2025, Calandagan, has stepped up his preparation for another tilt toward the Dubai Sheema Classic after a racecourse gallop on Sunday – but as the ongoing conflict in the region continues his participation hangs in the balance.
The Gleneagles gelding had a remarkable campaign last season which saw him land four Grade 1’s. After an agonising defeat in the Coronation Cup, won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud back on home soil. He then notched up a second Royal Ascot success when defeating Kalpana in the King George Stakes. A career best came 84 days later after beating Juddmonte winner Ombudsman, before winning the Japan Cup by a head.
The five-year-old bids to avenge his length defeat to Danon Decile to begin his campaign this season, subject to a late decision.
Racing manager Nemone Routh told the Press Association, via Racing TV, that: “he’s in good form. We were happy with him today. The ground here at Saint-Cloud is sticky and testing which is not his preferred ground. But he got through it and worked well.
“If he goes he ships next Saturday and 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.
“He seems in very good terms with himself” – Nemone Routh
Routh reaffirmed it was all systems go, despite the evolving situation: :”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.”
A large number of the sports participants have been in the Middle-East for the upcoming Dubai World Cup in what is undoubtedly an unprecedented situation. However, Routh stated “the staff there are quiet low-key about it. “[They] don’t feel particularly in danger or alarmed. But it’s a very evolving situation and not one we have ever come across before.
A decision will be made later this week regarding Calandagan’s participation, as connections are “trying to keep all option open. 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.”