Calandagan once again sets his sights on Epsom, where he will seek revenge against Jan Brueghel in the upcoming Coronation Cup

The world’s top-rated horse of 2025 is expected to return to the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom, seeking revenge after the defeat he suffered there a year ago, in a clash that promises to bring together several of Europe’s leading middle-distance stars

PARIS, France (Special to Turf Diario).- After an extraordinary campaign that officially crowned him the world’s top-rated horse, and following a magnificent seasonal return in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan, Calandaganhas already locked onto one of the major targets of the European first half of the season: the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom.

The sensational Aga Khan homebred, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, would thus return to the very stage where, exactly one year ago, he suffered one of the few defeats of his career when narrowly denied by Jan Brueghel (Galileo)in a top-class finish.

Since that afternoon, the son of Gleneagles has not lost again.

The French gelding has strung together five consecutive victories following that defeat on the Surrey Downs, evolving into a genuine racing machine while building an international elite campaign that ultimately carried him to the top of the world rankings.

Among those performances, his recent revenge mission in the aforementioned Dubai Sheema Classic stood out especially, as he reversed the result from the 2025 edition and fully restored his brilliance at Meydan.

Now the objective will be to repeat that same story at Epsom.

“If the ground stays on the good side, we’ll go to Epsom,” confirmed Graffard, fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge awaiting him.

Because several of Europe’s leading middle-distance stars are expected to line up once again, headed by Jan Brueghel himself and also Derby winner Lambourn (Australia), both trained by Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore and recently enhanced by strong performances at Chester.

“He’s really improving now and looks fantastic,” added Graffard enthusiastically. “Everybody wants to beat him, but we’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Targeting the Coronation Cup also means bypassing a return to Royal Ascot, a stage where Calandagan built a major part of his reputation through several memorable performances.

Still, those around the horse clearly appear to feel they have unfinished business with Epsom and with the defeat suffered there twelve months ago.

Now five years old, and firmly established as the benchmark among Europe’s middle-distance and staying performers, Calandagan will once again attempt to prove why he has become the horse everyone wants to beat.