Christophe Soumillon has been named as the Champions Day replacement for Mickael Barzalona. The Belgian will ride Calandagan when he defends his title in the £1.3 million Qatar Racing Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 17 and Rayif in the £1.1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Barzalona ruled out by whip ban
The 10-time French champion has been called upon because Barzalona, the Aga Khan Studs' retained jockey, received a two-day whip ban during the Arc meeting which rules him out of the showpiece fixture. Barzalona struck his mount Fairy Glen five times, one over the limit, when winning the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu for Simon and Ed Crisford.
With no option to move the days of the ban, the jockey, who steered Daryz to a second victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday, has been denied the chance to complete the double on the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Calandagan.
Calandagan's world-beating record
Calandagan was crowned the best racehorse in the world of 2025 after he won four Group 1 prizes during a globetrotting campaign. He secured his title by capturing both the Champion Stakes at Ascot and Japan Cup, jointly the two best races by ratings run in the world last year.
A year ago he defeated Ombudsman and Delacroix on British Champions Day at Ascot, then travelled to Japan where he became the first European-trained horse to capture the Japan Cup for 20 years.
Aga Khan Studs confirm plans
Announcing the new jockey plans, the Aga Khan Studs posted: "Calandagan, the winner of the 2025 Champion Stakes, and dual Group 1 winning miler Rayif will both be ridden by Christophe Soumillon on British Champions Day. They will line up in the Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes respectively."
A decision is expected soon on the future of Daryz, who defeated the Champion Stakes-bound Bay City Roller in Paris. He will be retired to stud if he is not kept in training.
