Son Of Gleneagles Powers Clear In Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes

Calandagan (3g Gleneagles – Calayana, by Sinndar) blew the opposition away with a thoroughly impressive performance in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes on the fourth day of Royal Ascot.

The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained colt came into Friday following back-to-back Group 3 wins and was stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time. Held up by Stephane Pasquier, he was ridden to make headway from the three furlong marker and led after the two furlong pole. Clear soon after, he ran on strongly to score by six lengths, as his rivals fought for placings.

“Today was perfect,” Pasquier said after the race. “The pace was fast enough to come from behind. When he’s like this, he's a fantastic horse. I didn’t do anything, I just asked him to do it by himself.”

A delighted Francis-Henri Graffard added, “It's unbelievable. I'm very happy. I am very impressed–it is just unbelievable how he quickened all the way.”

Calandagan is an Aga Khan homebred and Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Ascot to enjoy the win. “Today he has shown himself to be a very good horse,” she said. “[The family] tend to be mile-and-a-half horses but he has a turn of foot and it’s wonderful to see. He is a special one and he is one we can keep, he will have a really interesting career.”

Previous winners of the race, such as Alenquer, Japan (Galileo), King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett), Old Persian and Pyledriver, went on to win at Group 1 level and a step up to the highest level is now imminent for Calandagan.

The Aga Khan homebred is one of twenty three individual Group winners by Gleneagles. The Castlehyde Stud sire is enjoying a terrific season, led by Epsom Derby runner-up and Irish Derby favourite Ambiente Friendly. Other recent successes include Mill Stream’s Group 2 win at York and Royal Scotsman’s all-the-way win in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom.