"They are both in very good shape" - Calandagan and Daryz ready for British raids
French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is gearing up two of his stable stars for major British Group One races. Calandagan, who missed out last year, will try again for Coronation Cup glory at Epsom after a winning streak and a successful break. Meanwhile, Daryz, fresh from winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and two more impressive victories in France, is on course for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Both horses are in top form and leading the betting markets, as Graffard aims for a British Group One double.
- Graffard targets Group One wins at Epsom and Royal Ascot with Calandagan and Daryz
- Calandagan seeks revenge in the Coronation Cup; Daryz heads to Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
- Both horses are in top form and lead their betting markets
Francis-Henri Graffard is readying two of his stable stars for British Group One raids next month.
First to represent Graffard will be Calandagan, who'll be having another crack at the Coronation Cup. Mickael Barzalona's mount was beaten by Jan Brueghel in that Group One 12 months ago, but that defeat sparked an incredible winning sequence for Calandagan, who has since won the Grand Prix de Paris, the King George, the Champion Stakes, the Japan Cup and the Sheema Classic.
Graffard has given his stable star a break since that victory out in Meydan, and is keen to get his star back on the track on Epsom Derby day.
"Calandagan has been trained for Epsom and hopefully the ground will not get too soft." Graffard told the press. "He looks well and I feel he wants to go back to work."
"He’s ready and he wants to go back to the races, and everything has gone very smoothly with him."
Calandagan will then skip Royal Ascot to focus on the Grand Prix de Paris. However, Francis Graffard will unleash another of his top stars at the famous Berkshire meeting, as Daryz is pencilled in for a tilt at the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Daryz won Europe's richest flat race last October, defeating Minnie Hauk in a thrilling finish to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Graffard's star then swept his rivals aside with a superb performance in the Prix Ganay on his reappearance, and was just as impressive when landing the Prix Aga Khan IV earlier this month.
Graffard continued, "Daryz has come out of his race at ParisLongchamp really well and I’m very happy he has shown this incredible turn of foot this season."
"They are very different in the way they move and the way they accelerate is different too, but Daryz has been incredible and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes will be a very tough race, but I know I have a very good horse to try to win this race with."
"Fingers crossed everything goes well between now and Ascot."
Both of Graffard's top stars head the betting markets for their respective targets. Calandagan is 11/8 to gain revenge over Jan Brueghel at Epsom, with Daryz available at 5/4 to win the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot 2026.
"They are both in very good shape. I could not be happier with them." Graffard said, as the French maestro eyes a famous British Group One double.
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