Crowned the world's best horse in 2025 following his outstanding performance in the Japan Cup, French star Calandagan will make his return to France on Sunday in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Group 1, the highest level of Thoroughbred racing). Winner of the race last year, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained gelding will attempt to defend his title against top-class opposition led by fellow French runners Aventure and Leffard, as well as Irish challenger Lambourn, winner of both the Derby at Epsom and the Irish Derby (Group 1 races) last season. Calandagan will also attempt to join the exclusive club of horses to have won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud twice. Only five horses have achieved the feat: Nino (1926, 1927), Tanerko (1957, 1958), Rheingold (1972, 1973), Helissio (1996, 1997) and Ange Gabriel (2002, 2003).

Beyond its sporting significance, this meeting is the highlight of the year at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. On this occasion, the traditional Grand Painting Competition will celebrate its 28th edition. Open to everyone, it will bring together professional and amateur artists, who will be invited to create, in a single day, a work inspired by the atmosphere of the races, while the public will also be able to take part in the creation of a giant mural.

French runners lead the home challenge

Calandagan has raced twice in 2026. The Aga Khan homebred, trained at Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard, first captured the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) at Meydan before finishing fourth in the Coronation Cup (Group 1) at Epsom on very soft ground.

International opposition

Three foreign-trained horses will also take part: Irish challenger Lambourn, trained by Aidan O'Brien, whose stable has already won three Group 1 races in France this year, together with the British-trained Eydon, fourth in the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2) on May 31, and Pride Of Arras, trained by Ralph Beckett. Beckett has enjoyed notable success in France, highlighted by his victory in the 2024 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking.

The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the third leg of the ARC RACES series

The feature race of the day, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, is the third leg of the ARC RACES series, an eight-race circuit leading to the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Winners of these qualifying races, provided they meet the conditions of the Arc, receive a Wild Card guaranteeing them a place in the world's greatest autumn racing challenge.

Five World Pool by PMU races

Beyond its sporting appeal, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud meeting will once again be held as part of the World Pool by PMU initiative, the result of the partnership between PMU and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). Five races on the card will carry the World Pool by PMU label, identifying the races in which the HKJC joins the PMU's common betting pool for the Win and Place pools.

Bets placed in Hong Kong on these two betting products will therefore be merged with the PMU's common pool, increasing the total amount wagered.

The five races concerned are:

Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – World Pool by PMU
Prix des Coteaux de Saint-Cloud – World Pool by PMU
Prix des Hauts-de-Seine – World Pool by PMU
Prix des Réservoirs de l'Avre – World Pool by PMU
Prix du Jardin de l'Avre – World Pool by PMU