Fourth pick Calandagan became the first foreign-based horse to win the Japan Cup since Alkaased in 2005 on Sunday, November 30 at Tokyo Racecourse.
The Gleneagles progeny also became the second French-trained horse to win it, following Le Glorieux in 1987. And at the same time, Calandagan renewed the race record to 2 minutes, 20.3 seconds.
Almond Eye held the previous record of 2:20.6, which was set at the 2018 Japan Cup.
On Sunday, Calandagan, a 4-year-old gelding, extended his winning streak to four after his titles in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1, 2,400 meters) in June, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 2,390 meters) in July and the Champion Stakes (G1, 1,990 meters) in October. With this win, the Irish-born Calandagan earned the winner's prize of ¥500 million JPY ($3.2 million USD) and a $3 million bonus (about ¥470 million).
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard registered his first victory in his fourth Japan Cup challenge after finishing sixth in 2015 and 14th in 2016 with Erupt, as well as a sixth-place showing with Goliath in 2024.
Jockey Mickael Barzalona scored his fourth graded victory, including titles won under JRA's short-term licenses. It was his first G1 title in Japan.
