Calandagan will return to Ascot on British Champions Day seeking to defend his crown in the G1 Champion Stakes, while stablemate Rayif will aim to add another top-level victory to an impressive season as the Aga Khan Studs prepare a strong challenge on Saturday.
The meeting will bring together several of Europe’s leading horses, with last year’s Champion Stakes winner Calandagan renewing his rivalry with Ombudsman and Almaqam in the 10-furlong contest. Rayif, meanwhile, will take on an accomplished field in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes after establishing himself among the leading milers of the season.
Calandagan Returns to Defend His Ascot Crown
Calandagan produced a memorable performance in the 2025 Champion Stakes, defeating Ombudsman by two and a quarter lengths. The effort was rated the best in the world in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, underlining the significance of his Ascot success.
The five-year-old has encountered setbacks during the current European campaign, however, losing two of his three starts. His latest appearance came in July’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he finished behind Kalpana.
Connections believe a break since that effort has helped restore his condition. Calandagan will face Ombudsman and last year’s third, Almaqam, alongside fellow 2026 G1 winners Bay City Roller, Gstaad and Hotazhell. The Champion Stakes shared the distinction of being the world’s best race in 2025.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, said the horses had completed separate pieces of work on Monday morning, with Christophe Soumillon riding Calandagan and Mickael Barzalona partnering Rayif.
She indicated that the team was pleased with both preparations and felt Calandagan had benefited from his time away from racing following the King George.
Routh also reflected on last year’s Champion Stakes victory, explaining that connections had initially viewed the race as a preparation for the Japan Cup and had questioned whether the drop to 10 furlongs would suit him. His commanding performance removed those doubts and confirmed his standing as a leading Group One performer.
Rayif Targets Another Group One Success
Rayif arrives at Ascot after a productive campaign that began with victory in the French 2,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Following a minor setback that ruled him out of Royal Ascot, he returned to defeat older rivals in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
His ability to handle different racing surfaces is another positive for connections. Rayif won the French Guineas on relatively soft ground and has also succeeded on faster going at Deauville. Routh added that the straight track at Ascot should not present a concern.
The journey to Britain will represent a new experience for Rayif, although his relaxed temperament has encouraged the team. His participation in the Prix du Moulin was ruled out because it came only three weeks after the Marois, while connections also wanted to give stablemate Erdenali an opportunity at Group One level.
Soumillon will partner both Aga Khan Studs runners for the first time, with Barzalona unavailable through suspension. Routh explained that, after discussions with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, Soumillon emerged as a suitable choice because of his experience with the organisation and his strong form during Arc Weekend.
Samangan remains under consideration for the sprint, but will only run if the ground conditions are favourable.
Shergar to Enter British Racing Hall of Fame
Saturday’s meeting will also provide an opportunity to celebrate one of the most celebrated names in British racing history. Shergar, winner of the 1981 Derby by a record 10 lengths, will be inducted into the British Racing Hall of Fame at Ascot.
Owned and bred by the late HH Aga Khan IV, Shergar remains an important part of the Aga Khan Studs’ legacy. Routh recalled the pride the late owner took in the Derby triumph, describing the horse as an iconic figure whose achievements continue to hold a special place within the organisation.
Princess Zahra and her family are expected to regard the recognition as a fitting tribute to Shergar’s enduring place in racing history.
Almeraq Heads William Haggas’ Strong Team
William Haggas will also have several leading contenders across the British Champions Day programme, headed by Almeraq in the G1 British Champions Sprint.
The four-year-old defeated Satono Reve and Joliestar in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot before bouncing back from a disappointing July Cup performance with an emphatic victory in the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock Park.
Haggas reported that Almeraq was in excellent condition and remained confident about his prospects, regardless of the ground. Although the horse relished testing conditions at Haydock, his Royal Ascot performance had demonstrated his ability to compete on faster going.
The trainer attributed the July Cup defeat partly to the draw and the circumstances of the race, suggesting that the result should not overshadow the sprinter’s overall record.
Division is another possible runner in the sprint. Haggas had initially been unsure about participation but retained the horse after assessing the weather forecast. Division prefers good to fast ground, and a favourable draw could improve his chances of securing a clear passage.
More Thunder and Lilt Add Depth to Haggas’ Challenge
More Thunder is set to contest the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, where Haggas believes the horse will benefit from being ridden patiently before making a late challenge. After strong performances in the Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes, he finished fifth in the Prix Jacques le Marois when ridden closer to the pace than connections would have preferred.
Haggas believes More Thunder remains capable of a major performance if the race develops at a strong tempo. Needle Match is expected to take up the running, potentially helping establish the conditions needed for More Thunder to finish strongly.
Lilt is another intriguing contender, entered in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. Her work has reportedly been encouraging since the Blandford Stakes, although Haggas is still assessing whether the longer distance at Ascot will suit her.
Bullet Point and Crown Of Oaks are expected to secure places in the Balmoral Handicap. Scoville, meanwhile, may miss out on a place despite showing improvement. Crown Of Oaks is considered better suited to soft ground, and a Listed race in Ireland remains an alternative depending on the weather.
Ascot Going and Weather Update
The going at Ascot remains good across the course following a largely dry Monday, with only occasional drizzle reported. Between 2mm and 5mm of rain is forecast before racing begins.
Conditions could therefore influence the final decisions of several trainers, particularly connections of horses with specific ground preferences. For the Aga Khan Studs, Calandagan and Rayif remain the central attractions, while Haggas’ sizeable team adds further depth to a highly anticipated British Champions Day.
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