€80,000 Noailles (Gr3): Calandagan reverses Mathet form

Sunday, 14 April 2024, ParisLongchamp Racecourse, Paris – The Prix François Mathet (Listed) trifecta, over the same distance four weeks earlier at Saint-Cloud, was replicated in the €80,000 Prix Noailles (Group 3), despite the latter being run on a ground that had quickly firmed up due to the abrupt warmth of this unpredictable spring. This time, however, Calandagan (Gleneagles) managed to outperform Bright Picture (Intello), who had rapidly closed in at the furlong mark. The Aga Khan's representative, who had himself moved up from the rear, seemed to have the race well in hand when his rival finally balanced and launched into a chase. He caught up one out, but then Calandagan delivered a decisive final stretch, securing victory by nearly two lengths. After appearing to join the battle for the win, Trafalgar Square (Kendargent) once again finished third, one and a half lengths behind, having previously finished eight lengths back on the very heavy ground at Saint-Cloud.

The top three finishers in the Prix Noailles are geldings. Thus, none will progress to the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, the natural goal for contenders in this classic trial.

A non-starter in the significant Prix de Crèvecœur at Deauville for failing to enter the starting gates, and third in his debut at the Prix de Montaigu at Deauville last August, the winner triumphed by ten lengths two months later in his second outing, on the all-weather track at Chantilly. He then returned to the races in the Prix François Mathet.

Calandagan is the second foal out of Calayana (Sinndar), a two-time winner including once at Longchamp over 1m6f, and already the dam of Caliyza (Le Havre), who won races at Nancy and Compiègne and was sixth in the Prix Belle de Nuit (Listed) for the same connections. She was sold for €100,000 at the Arqana December sales to Cava Associates (Cécile Adonias). Calayana also produced a filly by New Bay in 2022, currently in training with Francis-Henri Graffard.