The five-year-old globetrotter – now the winner of five Group 1 races in four different countries - smoothly passed the rest of the field in the final few furlongs to win by a comfortable three-quarters of a length. It was a second win in this race for the Aga Khan Studs, who were also victorious with Dolniya in 2015.

“I'm relieved,” said trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “The winter was long, he's a world champion now and has a big reputation, so we just needed to start and get the season going. It was a big race today and it's always hard to have a horse completely ready for a race like that. I said to Mickael [Barzalona - jockey] that he might need the race. It was tactical and painful to watch, but he's a champion.

“Mickael and him get on well now but, during the race, he was a little on and off the bridle. On the last bend he was asking him to go. I think he needed the run and to get going, but it is now five Group 1s in a row and he's a real champion, so I'm glad that Princess Zahra decided to start the season here.”

He added: “He's important for the sport and a flagship horse, so we won't be afraid to travel. The Breeders' Cup could be an option, and I don't see why not, but it might depend if we go back for the Japan Cup again. They are very hard races to win and American tracks are quite tight, so it might not really suit his abilities.

“The Cox Plate could be a possible, especially this year at Flemington, which is a big galloping track. But we don't want to be too greedy and we need to think about it and respect the horse. I said to Princess Zahra, 'I hope your passport is okay!' Because we are going to travel.”

Princess Zahra Aga Khan suggested that Calandagan would take a bit of a breather and stay in Europe for the start of the summer. Of watching the race itself, she said: “It was terrifying! They went slow, but Mickael has been riding him like that for two years, so we weren't terrified until the final turn. He has an amazing stride, an amazing motor and a will to win. You can always tell with him, the last few strides, that he puts his entire soul into it. It's amazing to watch.”

Barzalona added: “He's an incredible horse. He's got his own attitude. I know him very well now and he always gives plenty in the end. I just need to trust him. That's all that jockeys dream about, to find this kind of incredible horse. I'm very glad and very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this team as well.”