'I think he's one of the best' - Arc winner Francis Graffard confident Calandagan can shine in stunning Champion Stakes showdown
The top trainer is plotting another big raid on British Champions Day at Ascot

Francis Graffard is relishing the opportunity to crash the reunion party between Ombudsman and Delacroix in Saturday's absorbing Qipco Champion Stakes and hopes Calandagan can prove he is "one of the best horses in Europe".
With the score one apiece between Godolphin's Ombudsman and Coolmore's Delacroix, much of the narrative in the build-up to the race will be on the decider in their rivalry, but Calandagan is on a Group 1 hat-trick himself after decisive victories in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July.
The four-year-old will be bidding to join the great Brigadier Gerard as only the second horse to win the Champion and the King George in the same season.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inBritish Champions Day
Last updated
- 'I wasn't expecting 200-1' - Sheffield Star tipsters toast Powerful Glory after propelling them to top spot in naps table
- 'It was a hard ask for him' - William Haggas to ponder Economics future after colt bleeds again in Champion Stakes
- 'I don't bet but when I saw 200-1 I nearly had to'
- Champion Stakes tactics: pacemakers were crucial in giving us a conclusive answer to the identity of the middle-distance king
- 'Oh my God!' Jamie Spencer is stunned twice on a day when Ascot hosted the world's best race and the BHA board shared in a 100-1 shock
- 'I wasn't expecting 200-1' - Sheffield Star tipsters toast Powerful Glory after propelling them to top spot in naps table
- 'It was a hard ask for him' - William Haggas to ponder Economics future after colt bleeds again in Champion Stakes
- 'I don't bet but when I saw 200-1 I nearly had to'
- Champion Stakes tactics: pacemakers were crucial in giving us a conclusive answer to the identity of the middle-distance king
- 'Oh my God!' Jamie Spencer is stunned twice on a day when Ascot hosted the world's best race and the BHA board shared in a 100-1 shock