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Enough of Constitution Hill already ! He was once invincible , but sadly he has completely lost his mojo and it’s hard to see any way back.
There is a new wonder horse – already rated the best on the Flat- and his name is Calandagan. Winning a King George and Champion Stakes was impressive enough (the first since The Brigadier in ’72) but to go to Japan, probably the best racing jurisdiction in the world, and win the Japan Cup in their backyard is an awesome achievement. Monsieur Graffard is fast establishing himself as one of the world’s best horse trainers. In 8 weeks he’s bagged the Arc, Champion stakes and Japan Cup as well as a win at The Breeders Cup. Calandagan will be back next season and hopefully we’ll get to see him at Ascot again, taking on whatever young pretenders Mr O’Brien produces. Bravo -c’est magnifique !I fully agree with you. This horse has achieved greatness which also apllies to his breeder, his trainer and maybe even to his jockey.
To beat the Japanese in their own backyard is something special. Just look at the Japanese G1 fields, how many times do you see just 4 or 5 runners contesting those races? Every event is highely competitive and they don’t fear coming over to Europe or the US.
Well done to the horse and everybody else involved with it.Ground good to see you are still banging the keys … The quick brown fox jumped over – but with you it’s more often than not the lazy dog for not polishing your posts
– but remember this ; it was the stoic Epic Eric, better known by his family name Epictetas who advised that the vaulting of walls was not the way to achieve true freedom, rather it was to found vis an internal tunnel combined with self discipline – a word I have never given much merit or purpose to on my personal roller coaster, as the wave of life is there to be ridden rather than curtailed.
Treat my undisciplined post as an aberration and a giving way and a pleasant distraction in the doldrums.
I have a lot of nasties brushed under the carpet that surfaced yesterday and prevented me earning a crust or two at Newbury so alas I missed all that action so all I was left with was a fast disappearing Wolverhampton run on that fabulous carpet
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As for Constitutional Hill I would let the horse decide what future it wants – I know that sounds daft but there are ways of communicating without blah de blah. A deep look in the eyes can often expose the inner soul.I reposted my post because I couldn’t see it in the Constitution Hill thread – I now realize why – I have just vaulted the wall.
Got up early to watch him this morning as he’s been my favourite flat horse this past couple of seasons.
What a performance. Also, class training performance from Graffard and a class ride from Barzalona.
I know it’s extremely tough to beat the Japanese on their own turf but 9/2 was an unbelievable price for Calandagan. If that race was run in Europe he would’ve been even money.
Watched the replay on RUK, truly all round class, living up to his newly bestowed Cartier Horse Of the Year award, beat Almond Eye’s race record time too.
Agree, BHL. I lost interest in the Flat season but Calandagan was about the only horse to save it from mediocrity. His victory in the Champion Stakes was one for the ages. To go to Japan and win there is a great achievement.
Perhaps he has gone somewhat unheralded until the Cartier Awards because he is a gelding and will not be contributing to the future of the breed? If so, it shouldn’t detract from his accomplishments on the track.
If the TRF end of year polls are held, I don’t see how anything else can win Flat Horse of the Year.
You’re right CAS. There were a lot of false dawns during the season. The Godolphin Guineas winners were ill-fated, as we lost Ruling Court and Desert Flower got injured. Lambourn was not the same horse after the summer and Minnie Hauk got beat in the Arc and BC. Field of Gold was heralded as the horse of the season after Royal Ascot, but that idea was blown out of the water at Goodwood and in the QEII (incidentally, is he the only Classic winning favourite to be subsequently beaten by a 150/1 and 100/1 shot ?).
Thank goodness Calandagan found the winning habit, after a string of seconds, to achieve his potential and show us some real greatness.
Not sure I’ve seen a superstar two-year-old yet, but Hawk Mountain could be the one. Meanwhile it’s back to the Jumps and plaudits to Dan Skelton for training only the 4th horse in 48 years to do the “Mackeson-Hennessy” double. He’s well ahead of Nicholls and Henderson right now and the first big Mullins-Skelton clash in the Tingle Creek will be a big marker for this year’s title.That is how I saw it, BHL.
I suppose some of it couldn’t be helped. It was rotten bad luck to lose Ruling Court.
I generally believe it is disappointing for the Flat season when the Derby winner turns out to be mediocre. Lambourn won at The Curragh but didn’t win again. I think he benefited from the best ride in the Derby.
Field Of Gold looked like a superstar but that proved to be a false dawn. Maybe he will redeem himself next year.
I suppose Delacroix deserves some credit for winning the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes but I couldn’t quite warm towards him somehow, despite backing him at Sandown.
2:20.3 is a world record for 2400m, an astounding time even with the ground as quick as it was. It’s that ground that has tripped up previous European attempts at the Japan Cup – I suppose Japan is allowed that as the boggy Arc conditions have tripped them up so many times – but that makes it all the more impressive a win for Calandagan.
– but remember this ; it was the stoic Epic Eric, better known by his family name Epictetas who advised that the vaulting of walls was not the way to achieve true freedom, rather it was to found vis an internal tunnel combined with self discipline – a word I have never given much merit or purpose to on my personal roller coaster, as the wave of life is there to be ridden rather than curtailed.
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