Francis-Henri Graffard caused a shock when saddling 25/1 chance Goliath to victory in the 2024 edition of the Ascot showpiece. Twelve months on, the French trainer was responsible for the favourite in the shape of Calandagan. A sensational winner of the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes over this track and trip in 2024, he came up short in four subsequent outings in Group 1 company, including when second to Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup. However, he broke his top-tier duck next time out in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and was expected to find Ascot more suitable than the twists and undulations of Epsom.
Despite having conquered Calandagan at the Derby meeting, Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel was only second in the market here. Only beaten once in six outings, he had few concerns in the stamina department, having claimed the St Leger during his Classic campaign. Stablemate Continuous, who won the 2023 St Leger, joined him in the field but was expected to act as a pacemaker.
The lovable Godolphin runner Rebel’s Romance came next in the betting. Now seven years old, Charlie Appleby’s international superstar arrived as a Group 1 winner in Germany, Dubai, Hong Kong, and the US, but not yet in the UK. Successful over course and distance in the Hardwicke Stakes, could this be his day?
There were no three-year-old contenders in 2025, but there was a filly in the lineup. Long held in high regard by Andrew Balding, Kalpana was tipped by many to follow in the hoofprints of fellow Juddmonte runner, Bluestocking, and plot a course to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. An impressive winner over just shy of this trip at this track in October, she arrived on the back of a solid second to Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
Result
- 1st – Calandagan 11/10F, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
- 2nd – Kalpana 15/2, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 3rd – Rebel’s Romance 5/2, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £850,650
- 2nd – £322,500
- 3rd – £161,400
- 4th – £80,400
- 5th – £40,350
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2.10
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.25, 2nd – £3.05
- Exacta – £7.70
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £9.24
- Trifecta – £15
Recap
The expected pattern of the race disappeared as soon as the stalls opened. Rather than setting out to make the running, Continuous was visibly restrained by Wayne Lordan. Whilst still finding a prominent position, he left it to Jan Brueghel to grab the inside rail and set the fractions under Ryan Moore. Rebel’s Romance and Kalpana sat third and fourth, with Mickael Barzalona content to watch on from the rear aboard Calandagan.
The initial pace appeared sedate, and little changed approaching the mile marker. Jan Brueghel still led but would surely need to up the tempo to bring his confirmed stamina into play. Continuous raced keenly to his outside with Rebel’s Romance, Kalpana, and Calandagan all travelling well within themselves behind.
Six furlongs from home, Moore asked his mount to lengthen his stride. Jan Brueghel responded, but his four rivals easily kept tabs on the leader. Working harder than the held-up runners, the O’Brien runner looked vulnerable even this far from home.
Jan Brueghel still led turning into the straight, but not for long. Continuous moved smoothly into contention only to drop away, but Kalpana and Calandagan began to launch sustained charges, having switched to the outside. Rebel’s Romance moved nicely but found himself trapped behind Jan Brueghel and the backtracking Continuous as the race began in earnest.
Oisin Murphy pushed the button aboard Kalpana at the two-furlong pole, seeing the Balding filly produce an impressive burst of acceleration to move two lengths clear of the field. Jan Brueghel stuck on, but his race was run, leaving Calandagan as the only feasible challenger. Three lengths down at the two-furlong mark, he had cut the gap to a length approaching the final furlong. Try as she might, the valiant Kalpana couldn’t hold off the French raider, who forged ahead close home for a one-length success. Rebel’s Romance finished well once in the clear to take third.
Francis-Henri Graffard followed up his 2024 win to grab King George gold for the second time. A first success in the race for Mickael Barzalona, and a fifth for the Aga Khan Stud dynasty. A small field in 2025, but a cracking renewal of this historic race.
Runners
- 1. Calandagan – SP: 11/10F, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
- 2. Continuous – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 3. Jan Brueghel – SP: 5/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 4. Rebel’s Romance – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 5. Kalpana – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Non-Runners
All Ran