The November edition of the Longines World Best Racehorse is out, and it’s the Aga Khan Studs home-bred Calandagan with a 130 ranking who’s the ‘world champion for 2025.’
Priced as the $4.50 pick with nation-wide wagering agencies for this 44th Japan Cup, Calandagan ranking jumped from a 125 to 130 in last winning the British Champion Stakes at Ascot.
In fact, it was the late John McCririck who stated “Now the Europeans and Americans must bring their best horses to compete on equal terms,” following Epiphania’s Cup win in 2003.
“The Europeans and Americans have been frightened off such is the high standard of the Japanese” with Goliath from France and Los Angeles and Queenstown from Ireland not accepting.
“The Japanese, chiefly the Japan Racing Association, have succeeded in their quest to raise the standard of the thoroughbred in Japan, and of course Sunday Silence so highly influential.”
Now with Calandagan being three-on-end in also winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Grand Prix de St-Cloud, he’ll jump from Gate 8 of 18 with Mickael Barzalona.
Already looking for Cartier Horse of The Year honours, and trainer Francis Graffard to a 13th Group 1 season success, the 4yo gelding Calandagan is certainly the best of his sire Gleneagles.
Again it’s Japan’s Classic 3yo who will be flying the ‘Rising Sun’ with the last start Tenno Sho Autumn winner Masquerde Ball at $2.75 again for Christophe Lemaire and trainer Takahisa Tezuka.
In defeating the Satsuki Sho winner Museum Mile over 2000m, he again steps up to 2400m having been placed in the Tokyo Yusen, the Japan Derby, and Satsuki Sho, the Japan 2000 Guineas.
At $6.50 is the Japan Derby, the Tokyo Yusan, winner Croix de Nord who is coming off an unhappy run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, having won the Prix du Prince d’Orange over 1800m.
Again ridden by Yuichi Kitamura for trainer Takashi Saito, he was also second in the Satsuki Sho, having won the Hopeful Stakes as a late 2yo, being sired by 2016 Japan Cup winner Kitasan Black.
Rounding out the field is Danon Decile at $8 in defeating Calandagan in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, and $13 for Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Tastiera with $15 for Admire Terra.
In finishing second to Caladagan in the Champion Stakes, the Godolphin home-bred Ombudsman maintained his ranking on 128, to be runner-up as the Longines World’s Best Racehorse.
In heading the Long Turf division of 2101m-2700m, Aga Khan Studs lit-up ParisLongchamp with Dalyz awarded 127 in scoring an exciting head victory in the Longines Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe.
Also on the 127, and topping the Mid Turf division of 6.51 to 9.49 furlongs, the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Field of Gold, rose to 127 on winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
And on the American dirt, it was the Japanese who highlighter Del Mar, with the $20 Saudi Cup winner Forever Young holding his 127 ranking with victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.
And with the Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty jumping to 127 with a 10 length victory in the Travers Stakes, and having won the Belmont Stakes, he’s now in-line for Horse of The Year honours.
And not bypassing the Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising on 126 as the World’s Best Sprinter, he was a sensation in winning The $20m Everest at Royal Randwick before a record 50,167crowd.
And with the World Pool totalling $16.44m, and eclipsing the previous record of $13.10m in 2023, Ka Ying Rising has won 15 of 17 starts and $19.6m, and is now the twice World’s Beast Sprinter.
