Karandagan made history by becoming the first overseas horse in two decades to win the Japan Cup, delivering an outstanding performance. The four-year-old colt, bred by Francis-Henri Graffard, had already showcased impressive achievements in Europe, including his breakthrough Group 1 victory at the Grand Prix of Saint-Cloud, followed by wins in the King George VI Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Racing under the Aga Khan Stud banner, Karandagan was expertly guided by jockey Mikael Barzalona in Tokyo, where he launched an intense final furlong battle, narrowly defeating the favorite Masquerade Ball by a head. Sired by Gleneagles, this remarkable victory marked the first major win in Japan by a horse trained outside the country since Alkashid’s triumph in 2005, and it was achieved in record-breaking course time.
Nemone Rous, manager of the Aga Khan Stud in France, highlighted that Karandagan not only set a new Japan Cup record but also apparently ran the fastest ever mile-and-a-half race, surpassing the previous record held by Almond Eye, the 2018 and 2020 Japan Cup winner. She praised the exceptional efforts of trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and jockey Mikael Barzalona for preparing Karandagan to peak at the end of the racing season despite the challenges of travel and differing training environments.
Barzalona’s win also broke the French-based trainer’s record for the most Group 1 wins in a single year, elevating his tally to 14, surpassing the previous record-holder Andre Fabre. Targeting the Japan Cup had been a strategic decision after Karandagan’s Saint-Cloud victory, with careful planning to keep the horse fresh by skipping other major races like the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes. The Champion Stakes was chosen as the best preparatory race.
Karandagan will now receive a well-earned break before returning to competition in 2026, while the team also looks forward to campaigning Dalice, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner. The horse will not race in the Hong Kong Vase due to timing and his physical condition, but the Sheema Classic in Dubai remains a potential target.
Fan Take: Karandagan’s groundbreaking win in Japan reinvigorates international competition in horse racing, showing that top talent can succeed worldwide despite travel and training hurdles. This victory not only boosts global respect for European thoroughbreds but also promises exciting, cross-continental rivalries that fans will eagerly follow in the coming years.
