Calandagan And Ethical Diamond Classic Showdown In Dubai Sheema Classic
Six Runners Bid For Sheema Classic Glory
Calandagan, the brilliant 5YO trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for Al Shaqab Racing, returns to the scene of his narrow defeat 12 months ago as he bids to go one better in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night, drawn from barrier two and seeking to reverse the 1 and 1/4 lengths defeat by Japanese raider Danon Decile that denied him in the 2025 renewal.
Standing in his path is Ethical Diamond, the powerful 6YO trained by William Mullins for Qatar Racing and drawn from barrier six, the reigning Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner crossing from North America to contest one of the world's most prestigious turf prizes. With a winner's cheque of US$3,480,000 (AED12,782,000) from a total purse of US$6,000,000 (AED22,038,000), the Dubai Sheema Classic stands as one of the sport's richest turf assignments.
Calandagan Seeks Revenge In Sheema Classic
Rated 130 and representing the undisputed form standard in a field of six, Calandagan arrives having assembled one of the most remarkable sequences in recent international racing, winning four Group Ones from his last five starts with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle throughout. Graffard's 5YO son of Gleneagles out of Calayana launched his 2025 campaign with a 3 and 1/2 lengths success over Aventure in a Group One at Saint-Cloud over 2400 metres, before following up with a winning margin of one length over Kalpana in a Group One at Ascot over 2300 metres and 2 and 1/4 lengths over Ombudsman in a Group One over 1900 metres at the same course.
He then crowned his campaign in extraordinary fashion, edging Masquerade Ball by 1/10 of a length in the Gr.1 Japan Cup in Tokyo, a performance of the very highest international class. His sole reversal during this glittering sequence arrived at Epsom, where Jan Brueghel held him off by half a length in a Group One over 2400 metres. Old rival Giavellotto, trained by Marco Botti for Scuderia Ippica San Marco and drawn from barrier three, knows this race intimately, having finished 6 and 1/2 lengths behind Danon Decile in the 2025 renewal on a rating of 121.
Mullins Sends Ethical Diamond To Meydan
Drawn from barrier six and wearing a hood, Ethical Diamond brings one of the most distinctive profiles in this international field, the 6YO gelding by Awtaad out of Pearl Diamond having combined top level National Hunt appearances at Cheltenham, Ayr and Punchestown with a flat campaign of genuine Group One quality.
His crowning achievement on the level arrived at Del Mar, where he powered to a 1 and 1/4 lengths success over Rebel's Romance in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf, a victory confirming his status as one of the most versatile performers in the global game. His flat campaign also featured a dominant 2 and 1/2 lengths victory over Ascending at York over 2700 metres and a two lengths win over Mutaawid at Ascot over 2300 metres earlier in the season, building an authoritative body of form over middle and staying distances.
Jockey Dylan McMonagle, who partnered him to his Del Mar success, retains the ride as Mullins targets what would rank among the most remarkable training achievements of the modern era.
Godolphin Deploy Frankel Pair On Turf
Charlie Appleby saddles two Godolphin runners in Royal Power and By The Book, both 5YO geldings by Frankel giving the stable its customary strength in numbers on home ground. Royal Power, rated 111 and drawn from barrier four under William Buick, arrived at this meeting on the back of a 1 and 7/8 lengths victory over West Wind Blows in a Listed contest at Abu Dhabi, confirming steady progression across the Carnival, though Group One company represents a sharp new examination.
By The Book, rated 110 and drawn from barrier five under Richard Mullen, has been a consistent if measured competitor during the season, filling third by 2 and 7/8 lengths over 2810 metres and third by 5 and 1/4 lengths over 2000 metres in Group Three races at Meydan Racecourse, a level of form that will need to improve considerably against this quality of rival. Both runners carry Godolphin's royal blue silks as Appleby bids for a famous victory on the biggest night of the Dubai racing calendar.
Giavellotto Leads Veterans In Final Reckoning
Now a 7YO, Giavellotto remains a genuine force at the highest level having won the Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December 2024 before returning to the same race 12 months later to fall just 3/4 of a length short of Sosie in a performance of comparable merit. His preparation for this assignment was completed with a third placing by 1 and 1/4 lengths at Doha in a Group Two over 2400 metres, and James Doyle once again takes the mount as Botti's charge pursues a return to the Group One-winning form that has marked a distinguished international career. The shadow roll is retained in the equipment list as the Mastercraftsman gelding lines up once more on a track that already knows his worth.
Completing the field from barrier one, West Wind Blows, the 7YO gelding by Teofilo trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and partnered by Rossa Ryan, arrives on the back of a Listed success at Deauville and a 1 and 7/8 lengths second behind Royal Power at Abu Dhabi. He also filled fourth by 5 and 1/3 lengths in a Group Three at Meydan in January, and while carrying the lowest rating in the field at 107, his wide international experience, including near misses against top class stayers in Australia, ensures he will give a full account of himself in pursuit of the US$3,480,000 (AED12,782,000) on offer to the winner.
Dubai Sheema Classic 2026 Contenders
1. Calandagan (T: Francis-Henri Graffard / J: Mickael Barzalona)
2. Ethical Diamond (T: William Mullins / J: Dylan McMonagle)
3. Giavellotto (T: Marco Botti / J: James Doyle)
4. Royal Power (T: Charlie Appleby / J: William Buick)
5. By The Book (T: Charlie Appleby / J: Richard Mullen)
6. West Wind Blows (T: Simon & Ed Crisford / J: Rossa Ryan)