Dubai: He was officially the best racehorse on the planet in 2025 and now Calandagan starts out on the defence of its World's Best Racehorse crown in the $6m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic [G1 2410m], a race which has acclaimed some of the greats of middle-distance turf racing since it was added to the programme in the third year of the Dubai World Cup story.
According to Emirates News Agency, Fantastic Light and Heart's Cry were major winners in the early years, while St Nicholas Abbey and Cirrus Des Aigles helped cement the race's reputation among the global elite events during its second decade. In recent years, Mishriff, Rebel's Romance, and the extraordinary Equinox have all shone under the Meydan floodlights. On the basis of a string of four Group 1 victories between June and November last year, spanning France, Britain, and Japan, the Aga Khan Studs' homebred carved his own piece of history.
Calandagan has become popular with racing fans and is admired by racing professionals and ratings experts. Trainer Francis Graffard reflects on the highlights of Calandagan's extraordinary 2025 and emphasizes the qualities that elevate the son of Gleneagles to a level very few thoroughbreds achieve. Graffard describes Calandagan's consistency as a key factor, noting that "mentally and physically he's made for it and he's so consistent."
Graffard recalls that Calandagan was not a difficult horse in his younger days, describing him as more backward and immature than anticipated. Graffard states, "He never had a bad temperament but he was more backward and immature than we thought, both mentally and physically."
Starting the season with the best racehorse in the world presents unique challenges. Graffard acknowledges, "This year he will be the one to beat, every time he runs. But he doesn't know that, only we do." He adds that having such a remarkable horse is beneficial for the sport, allowing Calandagan to remain competitive and hopefully maintain his top position. "He's been so good for us," Graffard concludes.
