Calandagan made a promising seasonal reappearance when finishing second in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Slow out of the stalls, the four-year-old gelding finished strongly to claim the runner-up spot behind Danon Decile. His trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, currently enjoying an excellent run of form, was pleased with the result: "In the straight we were following the winner and he got the first kick. Calandagan came really fast at the end. It was a very good start to the season for him. The plan is to head to Epsom for the Coronation Cup, but we’ll see how he comes back from Dubai." 

Calandagan had an impressive 2024, landing the Gr.3 Prix Hocquart and the Gr.2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing second in both the Gr.1 International Stakes and Gr.1 Champion Stakes. 

At ParisLongchamp, Mandanaba made a dazzling seasonal debut by making all to win the Gr.3 Prix Vanteaux. The daughter of Ghaiyyath remains unbeaten in two starts and looks poised to step up to Classic company later this spring. She is the final foal of the outstanding Mandesha, who is now enjoying retirement at Haras d’Ouilly. Mandesha gave Princess Zahra Aga Khan her first Group 1 win in the Prix d’Astarté in 2006, before adding the Prix de l’Opéra and Prix Vermeille to her record. Her first foal, Mandour, was a Listed winner and Group 1-placed. 

In the day’s other Classic trial, Azimpour surged from the rear of the field to finish a strong second in the Gr.3 Prix La Force. The Dubawi colt, who won on debut at two, is out of Azmiyna, a half-sister to Azamour and dam of Australian five-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun. Azmiyna is also the dam of Azada, a Listed-winning daughter of Siyouni who remains in training at four in Ireland. She visited Siyouni again this season. 

On the same ParisLongchamp card, Daryz made a winning debut in the important Prix Juigné. The three-year-old son of Sea The Stars is out of Group 1 winner Daryakana, whose progeny include Group 1 winner Dariyan and four additional Stakes winners. Daryakana has a filly foal by Erevann this year. 

Sea The Stars sired another impressive winner on Sunday, as Map Of Stars showed a powerful turn of foot to land the Gr.2 Prix d’Harcourt, completing a hat-trick of Stakes victories. He was bred by Al Asayl and owned by Wathnan Racing. 

Zarak’s progeny were also among the winners this week. Deressa, a daughter of Stakes-placed Deremah, broke her maiden at Gowran Park on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Dalakir, another son of Zarak, opened his account at Le Lion d’Angers on Sunday.