Calandagan's Japan Cup bid.
Calandagan withdrawn from York, rests for Japan Cup defense bid.
Anonymous
Calandagan, rated the world's best racehorse of 2025, has been pulled from York's 10-furlong showpiece race, with the Japan Cup in Tokyo now his primary target for the year. The Aga Khan Studs confirmed the withdrawal, saying the five-year-old needs a rest after a busy campaign. Herald Scotland reported that the team wants to give him time to recover before aiming at the prestigious Japanese contest later in the year.
The Japan Cup, held annually in Tokyo, is one of the richest and most competitive races in the world. If Calandagan wins it again, he would become only the third horse ever to win the race twice — and the first back-to-back champion since Gentildonna did it in 2012 and 2013. That is a rare and significant target for any horse.
Why Calandagan Was Pulled From York
York's 10-furlong race is one of the top flat races in Britain during the summer. But the Aga Khan team decided to skip it. Nemone Routh, the French racing manager and director for the Aga Khan Studs, said the horse simply needs a break. The team believes rest now will set him up better for Japan in the autumn. Herald Scotland confirmed Routh made the call after reviewing his condition.
News and Star also reported that a recent health scare played a role in the decision. While no serious illness was named, the Aga Khan camp wanted to be cautious. Protecting a horse ranked No. 1 in the world takes priority over any single summer race.
Japan Cup Return Without an Autumn Warmup
Usually, top horses run at least one prep race before a major international contest. Not this time. The Aga Khan team is comfortable sending Calandagan to Tokyo without a tune-up race in the autumn. That is an unusual choice, but the team is not worried. Their focus is on arriving fresh, not over-raced.
Calandagan finished second to City Of Troy in the 2024 Japan Cup, according to Herts Ad. That narrow loss clearly left the team hungry for another shot. Going back without a prep race shows how much confidence they have in his fitness and talent heading into the trip.
British Champions Day Crown May Not Be Defended
Calandagan won at British Champions Day at Ascot last year, making him a defending champion at that event too. But Guardian Series reported that a return to Ascot this autumn is now uncertain. With the Japan Cup as the main goal, fitting in a Champions Day run is not a priority for the team.
That means British racing fans may not see Calandagan on home soil this season. It is a trade-off the Aga Khan team is willing to make. Winning the Japan Cup twice would cement his legacy as one of the great international horses of his era.
Chasing History as a Japan Cup Dual Winner
Only two horses have ever won the Japan Cup more than once. El Condor Pasa won it in 1998. Gentildonna won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Calandagan now has a chance to join that short list. His team is aiming for something that has not happened in over a decade. That alone makes this autumn's race appointment viewing for racing fans worldwide.
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