Feted as the world’s best racehorse, Calandagan will attempt to become the first overseas-trained horse in two decades to win the JPY1.09 billion (approx. HK$55.04 million) G1 Japan Cup (2400m) at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (30 November).

Pitted against 17 local entrants, Calandagan will bid to emulate the victory of Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased, who set a record time with his win in 2005 in 2m 22.1s – a mark that stood until Almond Eye eclipsed it with 2m 20.6s in 2018 under Christophe Lemaire.

Rated No 1 in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Calandagan will have Mickael Barzalona’s services this weekend when the mercurial rider attempts to block Christophe Lemaire’s quest to equal Yutaka Take’s record by a jockey of five victories in the Japan Cup.

Lemaire scored on Vodka (2009), Almond Eye (2018 & 2020) and Equinox (2023) and will partner brilliant three-year-old colt Masquerade Ball, who is widely viewed as an emerging champion after his stunning win in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) at Tokyo on 2 November.

With Calandagan pressing for a fourth successive Group 1 triumph for Francis-Henri Graffard, Lemaire believes Masquerade Ball is primed to strike again at the highest level.

“He’s already won the Tenno Sho (Autumn). Horses that win the Tenno Sho (Autumn) often win the Japan Cup as well. I’m confident we can win again,” Lemaire said, pointing to the accomplishments of Almond Eye (2020), Equinox (2023) and Do Deuce (2024), who all won the Tenno Sho Autumn before clinching the Japan Cup.

Asked to compare Masquerade Ball to Almond Eye and Equinox, Lemaire said: “He’s not there yet – not on the same level, but he’s on his way. I believe he’s going to keep improving.”

Calandagan won the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m), G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m) and G1 Champion Stakes (1993m) in his last three starts.

The four-year-old has settled in well at Tokyo, pleasing his handlers during daily trackwork with travelling partner Le Nomade.

This season’s Japan Cup features three G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, 2400m) winners – Tastiera (2023), Danon Decile (2024) and Croix Du Nord (2025), who is expected to rebound from a disappointing 14th in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) at ParisLongchamp on 5 October.

Croix Du Nord’s trainer Takashi Saito said: “He had a tough run in the Arc, with the outside draw and, not being able to move inside, he was pulling at the bit.”
Danon Decile, who toppled Calandagan in the G1 Sheema Classic (2410m) in Dubai in April, is resuming after finishing fifth behind Ombudsman in the G1 International Stakes (2051m) at York in August.

“Given the intense summer heat here, I let him spend the summer in England. We haven’t had any troubles since returning to Japan,” trainer Shogo Yasuda said.

Durezza dead-heated with Shin Emperor for second in last year’s Japan Cup and will renew his quest to topple Calandagan after twice finishing behind the globetrotter.

“This will be his third time competing against Calandagan and since he (Calandagan) has finished ahead of him, I’m looking for him to turn the tables on his home turf,” trainer Tomohito Ozeki said.