The Champion Stakes at Ascot is a possible target for Calandagan as connections plot a path to the Japan Cup at the end of November.
Calandagan burst into the public consciousness when running away with the 2024 renewal of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot but then endured a rather frustrating run.
Stepped up to Group 1 level and dropped back to 10 furlongs for the Juddmonte International at York, Calandagan could only finish second to City Of Troy at York before filling the same position in the Champion Stakes, Dubai Sheema Classic and Coronation Cup.
Calandagan finally got his breakthrough top-level win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before following up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and Nemone Routh, director and racing manager for owner Aga Khan Studs, told Sky Sports Racing connections are considering a return to the Berkshire venue.
"He came out of the race [King George] very well," she said.
"He lost a little bit of weight but that's normal. He was very supple after his run, I saw him cantering, he's in good form.
"We took him out of York [Juddmonte International] because we just felt four Group 1s on the trot within a couple of months was a big ask, even for him. And we really want to focus on the Japan Cup at the end of the year so we'll work backwards from that.
"He'll definitely have a run before; we might take in the Champion Stakes or there is a Group 2 at Longchamp he could run in. That was the plan the last time I spoke to Francis [Graffard, trainer] so I think that's what we're doing."
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
