Calandagan targets Japan Cup defense, skips Juddmonte International

Six‑time Group 1 winner Calandagan, trained by the Aga Khan Stud, will not contest the Juddmonte International at York. Manager Nemone Routh said the horse needs a summer break after its recent King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes run and that the long travel to the UK would be unsuitable.

Instead, the connections are focusing on a defence of the Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on 29 November. A win would bring roughly ¥13 billion in prize and bonus money, matching the horse’s 2025 Japan Cup victory. The decision reflects a strategy to prioritize the prestigious Japanese race over other international events such as the Breeders' Cup or Hong Kong Cup.