Calandagan goes for his first G1 in the Coronation Cup, facing Jan Brueghel

The Aga Khan’s homebred will take on Coolmore’s Jan Brueghel, Giavellotto, and six other rivals over the traditional 2400 meters of Epsom Downs

Calandagan finished second in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in his seasonal debut / DRC

EPSOM DOWNS, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- Calandagan will chase his first Group 1 victory on Friday in the historic Betfred Coronation Cup (G1, 2400m, turf) at Epsom Downs, as the curtain-raiser to a blockbuster weekend that also features Saturday’s Betfred Derby (G1). The Group 1 program will also include the Betfred Epsom Oaks (G1), previewed separately in this edition.

The field may be compact, but the quality runs deep, with Calandagan aiming to establish himself at the top of the division. Trained in France by Francis-Henri Graffard for His Highness The Aga Khan, the gelded son of Gleneagleswas a gallant runner-up behind City of Troy (Justify) in the Juddmonte International S. (G1) at York last season before finishing second again, this time to Anmaat (Awtaad) in the QIPCO Champion S. (G1) at Ascot, having been ruled out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe due to his gelding status.

Calandagan made his seasonal return with a strong second to Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan and will now look to go one better in what will be his fourth try at the elite level.

Standing in his way is Jan Brueghel (Galileo), the powerful Coolmore runner trained by Aidan O'Brien and to be ridden by Ryan Moore. Winner of last year’s St Leger (G1), he suffered his first defeat when second to Galen (Gleneagles) in the Alleged S. (G3) at The Curragh, but is primed to bounce back on the bigger stage.

Also in the lineup is the battle-tested Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman), who finished fifth in the Sheema Classic after closing out 2024 with a career-defining victory in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) at Sha Tin.

Top-class filly You Got To Me (Nathaniel) takes on the boys after capturing last season’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks (G1), while Godolphin will be represented by the consistent Ancient Wisdom (Dubawi).

Rounding out the field are Bellum Justum (Sea the Stars) and Continuous (Heart’s Cry), who could play tactical roles in support of Jan Brueghel’s bid for Group 1 redemption.