Calandagan steps up Dubai prep – but Sheema Classic trip in the balance

Calandagan stepped up his preparations for another crack at the Dubai Sheema Classic with a racecourse gallop at Saint-Cloud on Sunday – but with the ongoing conflict in the region, his World Cup night participation is yet to be confirmed.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s four-year-old ended 2025 crowned the world’s best racehorse after a phenomenal run that included dual Ascot triumphs in the the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champion Stakes before venturing to the Far East for a historic Japan Cup success.

Avenging last year’s defeat at the hands of Danon Dacile in the Sheema Classic is seen as the perfect spot to once again kick-off the son of Gleneagles’ campaign, but safety concerns in the Gulf will see a late call be made by connections.

Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, told the Press Association: “He’s in good form and we were happy with him today. The ground here at Saint-Cloud is sticky and testing which is not his preferred ground but he got through it and worked well.

“He needed it to get him fit and we were very happy, but we haven’t made a decision yet on whether he goes to Dubai or not.

“If he goes he ships next Saturday and we will give ourselves the rest of the week to evaluate things and probably make a last-minute decision on Friday given what is happening in the Middle East.”

Routh went on: “To be in a position to make a last-minute decision you have to carry on and get him ready as if you are going to run, hence why he came to Saint-Cloud. It gives us the option to go and he seems in very good terms with himself.

“It might not have looked too impressive, but it was sticky ground and we were happy with him.”

Meydan’s Super Saturday card, on which Graffard’s Rayevka finished fifth in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, was one of the meetings to go ahead against a backdrop of escalating military action and the 30th Dubai World Cup night remains scheduled to go ahead on March 28.

It is an unprecedented situation for those deliberating over the decision to travel, with the Calandagan team keeping in constant communication with their team on the ground in Dubai ahead of their champion’s scheduled departure date.

“We have a Rayevka still there with our travelling head lad after running in the Super Saturday race and we are in contact daily,” explained Routh.

“The staff there are quite low-key about it and don’t feel particularly in danger or alarmed, but it’s a very evolving situation and not one we have ever come across before.

“We’re just trying to keep all options open as it would be the ideal race for him, but obviously we don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. We will just monitor the situation and then make a decision on Friday on whether he ships Saturday.”