Calandagan claims King George for France

Calandagan claimed the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday for France's second successive winner of Britain's summer showpiece.

Trainer Francis Graffard sent out 25-1 outsider Goliath to land the Ascot Group One 12 months ago.

And he repeated the feat with Calandagan, the 11-10 favourite.

Jockey Mickael Barzalona had the four-year-old sporting the colours of the late Aga Khan anchored at the back of the five-runner field as his main rival in the betting, Jan Brueghel, set a fast pace up front.

Rounding the home turn Kalpana (15-2) surged into the lead and looked set for victory but Barzalona was making up ominous ground down the middle of the track, to hit the front in the shadow of the post.

Rebel's Romance took third at 5-1.

"This means a lot. These are the races you want to win. I was very young when I won the (Epsom) Derby and this one is very special," said Barzalona.

Despite being beaten by one length Kalpana is now favourite for October's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at a best priced 10-1. Calandagan is unable to line up in the Arc as he is a gelding.

The Aga's famous green and red silks were carried to victory in the King George back in 1981 by the mighty Epsom Derby winner Shergar, who met an unfortunate end when he was infamously stolen from stud in Ireland.

A ransom was never paid and Shergar was never found despite a nationwide search by the Irish police.

Ascot announced before the race that prize money for next year's King George will be increased to two million pounds ($2.7 million), making it Britain's richest race.