Calandagan became the first overseas winner of the Japan Cup in 20 years after fending off local favourite Masquerade Ball in a thrilling finish.
The four-year-old surged home in the straight to strike in a photo-finish, making it four consecutive top-level wins in a row after success in the Grand Prix Saint-Cloud, King George and Champion Stakes.
He scoops a whopping £2.6 million for the victory in prize-money and an additional £2.3 million bonus, having won the King George, one of the qualifying races in the invitation bonus scheme.
Mickael Barzalona positioned him in midfield and he surged home in Tokyo’s wide straight to break Almond Eye’s record time.
Barzalona and the jockey of eventual runner-up Christophe Lemaire shook hands shortly after passing the post together, with the two French riders pulling clear of the field. But Lemaire was one of two riders to unseat shortly after the line, with Keita Tosaki also unshipped on Danon Decile on his first start since the Juddmonte International.
Victory continues a brilliant season for connections after Daryz struck in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Barzalona and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.
Calandagan was the first visitor to prevail since the Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased struck under Frankie Dettori in 2005, while the wait for the last French-trained winner stretches to Le Glorieux in 1987.
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Published on 30 November 2025inInternational
Last updated 07:38, 30 November 2025
