Calandagan and Rayif, Aga Khan's two aces for Champions Day

The defending Champion Stakes winner will aim to recapture his finest form against Ombudsman and a high-caliber field. Rayif will seek his third G1 win of the season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Christophe Soumillon will replace the suspended Mickael Barzalona aboard both contenders

ASCOT, England (Special for Turf Diario).— Aga Khan Studs will arrive this Saturday for British Champions Daywith two contenders capable of taking center stage in one of the most important meetings on the European calendar. Calandagan (Gleneagles) will attempt to repeat his extraordinary 2025 victory in the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes (G1), while Rayif (Sea the Moon) will seek his third top-level triumph of the season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1). Both will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, filling in due to the suspension of Mickael Barzalona.

Main attention will center on Calandagan, who twelve months ago delivered one of the most breathtaking displays of his career when defeating Ombudsman (Night of Thunder) by 2 1/2 lengths over 2000 meters in the Champion Stakes (G1). That performance was hailed as the world's top individual performance in the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings.

The gelding trained by Francis-Henri Graffard subsequently confirmed his international class by capturing the Japan Cup (G1), though his 2026 European campaign proved less convincing than the previous one.

At 5 years old, Calandagan was defeated in two of his three European starts, most recently in July, when finishing second to Kalpana (Study of Man) in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).

He has not raced since, and the Aga Khan Studs connections feel the freshening allowed him to regain his peak condition.

“Calandagan benefitted tremendously from the break after the King George, because we felt he was a bit tired that day,” explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for Aga Khan Studs in France. “Without taking anything away from Kalpana, we felt our horse arrived with winning chances, but then couldn't sustain his effort as we expected.”

In addition to Ombudsman, he will once again face Almaqam (Lope de Vega), third in last year's edition, while Bay City Roller (New Bay), Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), and Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot)—all G1 winners in 2026—are also confirmed.

It will be no easy task for the defending champion, especially considering the Champion Stakes shared honors in 2025 as the highest-rated race in the world.

Routh recalled that Calandagan's victory in the 2025 Champion Stakes came under unique circumstances.

The main objective of that part of the season was the Japan Cup, so the appearance at Ascot had been framed as a prep race: “I had a few doubts because we viewed that race as a stepping stone to Japan, and we weren't entirely sure that dropping back to 2000 meters was ideal,” she explained.

“But he ended up blowing us all away. It was an extraordinary performance and, strictly from a ratings standpoint, remains the best of his campaign.”

That victory even reshaped how the team approached the Japanese challenge.

“It gave us immense satisfaction. After that, we went to the Japan Cup fully convinced we had a genuine G1 horse.”

The prospect of recapturing that form once again raises high expectations for this Saturday.

Rayif, a Serious Threat in the Mile

The team's second major hope will be Rayif, who takes on the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over 1600 meters following a season of remarkable growth.

The colt captured the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1), the French 2000 Guineas, in the spring before missing Royal Ascot due to a minor physical setback. His return to top-level competition was brilliant, as he defeated horses of all ages in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville. Now he will chase his third G1 of the year over unfamiliar territory, though his connections remain fully confident in his versatility.

“Rayif won the French Guineas on somewhat soft ground, while two of his wins at Deauville came over fast tracks. He is a horse virtually unaffected by ground conditions,” noted Routh. “Nor are we worried about Ascot's straight course.”

The team decided to skip the Prix du Moulin (G1) because it was held just three weeks after the Jacques le Marois, and also to give Erdenali a shot at the highest level.

The main question mark will be the travel, as Rayif has never competed outside France. “He is a very calm, relaxed horse. I'm not overly concerned about the trip, though there's always a question until they do it for the first time,” Routh admitted.

Soumillon Replaces Barzalona

The suspension of Mickael Barzalona, regular rider for Aga Khan Studs, forced the team to find a replacement for both assignments. The choice fell to Christophe Soumillon, one of the European circuit's most experienced professionals with a long history with the organization.

Both horses completed their final breezes on Monday, with Soumillon aboard Calandagan and Barzalona riding Rayif.

“They were simple workouts, and we were very pleased with both,” Routh explained.

“Mickael would naturally have been our first choice, but we quickly realized his suspension would not be lifted. We spoke with Francis, who provided a list of names, and we felt Christophe was the most logical choice.”

The manager highlighted both his big-race experience and his excellent form during the recent Arc weekend.

Aga Khan Studs also keeps Samangan (Blue Point) entered in the British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1), though his participation hinges on track conditions. “We kept him in the race after checking the weather forecast. He will only run if the ground is suitable,” Routh clarified.

Shergar to Receive His Honor

Champions Day will hold additional significance for Aga Khan Studs, as Shergar will be inducted into the British Horseracing Hall of Fame during the card.

The extraordinary horse, bred and owned by the late Aga Khan IV, won the 1981 Epsom Derby (G1) by 10 lengths—a margin that remains the largest in the Classic's history.

“Shergar is an iconic horse,” expressed Routh. “Having worked for many years for His Highness the Aga Khan, I know he often mentioned that Derby as one of the races he was most proud of. He was a relatively young owner at the time, and winning in that fashion was extraordinary.”

She also emphasized the importance of preserving his memory through his racing achievements. “Anything that allows Shergar to be remembered as a racehorse is warmly welcomed by Aga Khan Studs, because that's how we like to remember him. Princess Zahra and her family will feel deeply honored.”

Between honoring a legend and the prospects of their current representatives, Aga Khan Studs faces an emotionally charged Saturday. Calandagan will seek to prove he remains the horse capable of delivering the world's top performance, while Rayif aims to solidify his place among Europe's elite milers. Two top-tier challenges for an organization that recently bade farewell from the track to two-time Arc champion Daryz (Sea the Stars) and continues to find every reason to look ahead.