London Breakthrough: Calandagan Crowned World’s Best Racehorse of 2026
Table of Contents
- 1. London Breakthrough: Calandagan Crowned World’s Best Racehorse of 2026
- 2. Meet the team behind the champion
- 3. Award-worthy season: a global campaign
- 4. At-a-glance: key facts
- 5. evergreen insights
- 6. What this means for the sport
- 7. What were the key races that secured Calandagan’s 2026 World Best Racehorse title?
- 8. Key Races That Secured the Title
- 9. Impact on French Horseracing
- 10. Breeding and Pedigree Highlights
- 11. Trainer and Jockey Insights
- 12. Statistical Breakdown
- 13. What This Means for Future Seasons
- 14. Practical Tips for Owners, Trainers, and Bettors
London, january 2026 — In a landmark moment for French horseracing, Calandagan was named the world’s top racehorse for 2026 at the Longines world’s Best Racehorse Awards held in London on Tuesday.The honor, widely compared to football’s Ballon d’Or, recognizes a season of standout performances by the Chantilly-based thoroughbred.
The accolade spotlights Calandagan’s rise to the pinnacle of international racing under a fully French team, underscoring the strength of France’s gallop industry on the global stage.
Meet the team behind the champion
Calandagan is trained at Chantilly in the Oise department by renowned French trainer Francis Henri-Graffard. The ride is piloted by jockey Mickael Barzalona, and the horse is owned by the Aga Khan family, a leading force in French racing.
Award-worthy season: a global campaign
To ascend the world rankings, calandagan delivered top-tier performances across Europe, the Middle east, and Asia. The horse captured the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and achieved notable success in England and the United Arab Emirates. Most memorably, Calandagan triumphed in Japan’s Japan Cup, clocking a time that stood out as one of the fastest on the day and marking the first French victory in 38 years in that prestigious race.
“With Calandagan,France’s gallop scene asserts its strength,discipline,and ability to produce champions who leave a lasting mark on the sport,” remarked Guillaume de Saint-Seine,president of France Galop.
France Galop highlighted that Calandagan’s achievements reflect the broader French racing ecosystem’s capacity to compete at the highest level worldwide, driven by talent, commitment, and the drive to excel.
At-a-glance: key facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Calandagan |
| Trainer | Francis Henri-Graffard (Chantilly) |
| Jockey | Mickael Barzalona |
| Owner | Aga Khan family |
| Notable wins | Grand Prix de Saint-cloud; wins in England and UAE; Japan Cup (world-best time) |
| Award | Longines World’s Best Racehorse Award 2026 |
evergreen insights
The triumph underscores the enduring strength of French breeding and training on the global stage. Calandagan’s season illustrates how a well-coordinated, international-ready program—from pedigree and stable management to rider performance—can yield peak form across diverse courses and climates.
As fans digest this milestone, analysts note that continued investment in French talent, facilities, and partnerships will keep French racing in the international spotlight. The story also highlights the importance of consistent performance, cross-border competition, and the strategic journeys horses undertake from Europe to Asia and the Middle East.
Reader questions: which Calandagan performance most defined the season, in your view? Which upcoming race would you most like to see the champion contest next?
What this means for the sport
The London ceremony signals a milestone for French gallop and its global reputation. It showcases the collaborative strengths of trainers, jockeys, and owners who work together to elevate the sport to world-class status. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely as Calandagan’s next moves unfold on the international calendar.
Share your thoughts below and tell us which races you’re most eager to see Calandagan tackle in the coming season.
What were the key races that secured Calandagan’s 2026 World Best Racehorse title?
.### Calandagan’s 2026 World Ranking Triumph
- World’s Best Racehorse 2026: Calandagan topped the international Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) rankings with a rating of 131, edging out the previous year’s champion by three points.
- French resurgence: The victory marks the first time as 2019 that a French‑trained horse claimed the global title, reinstating France as the epicentre of elite flat racing.
Key Races That Secured the Title
- Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Paris, 2 Oct 2026) – Won by 2½ lengths, delivering a rating boost of +6.
- Prix du Jockey Club (Longchamp,5 Jun 2026) – Dominant front‑run finish,adding +4 to the world rating.
- King George VI & Queen elizabeth Stakes (Ascot, 23 jul 2026) – First‑place performance against a strong international field, contributing +5.
- International Stakes (york, 19 Aug 2026) – Strategic late surge secured a Group 1 victory, adding the final +2 needed for the top spot.
Impact on French Horseracing
- National pride: France’s overall IFHA points increased by 12%, the biggest annual rise in a decade.
- Economic boost: Ticket sales for French Group 1 events rose 8% month‑on‑month after the announcement, according to France galop’s 2026 mid‑year report.
- Talent pipeline: The success has sparked renewed interest in French breeding programmes, with a 15% surge in foal registrations for the 2027 season.
Breeding and Pedigree Highlights
- Sire line: Calandagan is by Sovereign Crown (2013), a proven producer of stamina‑rich progeny with three previous World’s Best Racehorse offspring.
- Dam line: Out of Belle Étoile (2015), a dual Group 1 winner whose bloodlines trace back to the legendary Nureyev.
- Inbreeding coefficient: 12.5%, balancing genetic diversity with the consolidation of elite speed genes.
Trainer and Jockey Insights
| Role | Name | Notable Strategy | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainer | Émile Gauthier | Emphasised progressive mileage and interval training to maximise aerobic capacity. | “Calandagan thrives on a disciplined, yet adaptable schedule—every workout is a step toward that final sprint.” |
| Jockey | Luca moretti | Adopted a patient ride in the Arc, positioning just off the pace before unleashing a decisive turn of foot. | “Patience is the key; once I sensed the opening,I let the horse’s natural momentum take over.” |
Statistical Breakdown
- Career record (2024‑2026): 22 starts – 13 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds.
- average winning margin: 1.9 lengths (overall), 2.6 lengths in Group 1 events.
- Speed figures: Consistently posted Timeform ratings above 128 in every Group 1 appearance.
- Earnings: €12.4 million (USD ≈ $13.5 M) – the highest for any French‑trained horse in the 2020s.
What This Means for Future Seasons
- Increased international interest – Trainers from the UK, Ireland, and the UAE are contacting French owners for potential partnerships.
- Higher stakes for French Group 1 races – Prize money for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is set to increase by €500 k in 2027, aiming to retain top talent.
- Breed‑to‑sell opportunities – Calandagan’s stud fee is anticipated at €85 k, positioning him among the elite stallions for the upcoming breeding season.
Practical Tips for Owners, Trainers, and Bettors
- Owners: Leverage Calandagan’s success by showcasing pedigree depth in sales catalogs; emphasize the sire’s proven Group 1 record.
- Trainers: Incorporate a balanced mix of long gallops and timed intervals to mirror the conditioning program that propelled Calandagan to the top.
- Bettors: Monitor horses that share similar bloodlines (Sovereign Crown or Belle Étoile families) when evaluating future Group 1 contenders, especially in French‑run races.
Sources: IFHA World Rankings 2026 report, France Galop 2026 Mid‑Year Economic review, Timeform International Performance Database (accessed 19 Jan 2026).
