International media have revealed that the world's top-ranked speed horse for 2025, 'Kalandanjan', is set to participate in the 'Dubai Shima Classic' race to be held next Saturday on the Meydan racecourse, as part of the 30th evening of the Dubai World Cup. It is worth noting that the horse finished second in the same race last year. The event, held annually on the Meydan track, is one of the most significant stops on the global horse racing calendar, attracting elite horses and prominent owners from around the world. According to the British newspaper 'The Guardian', the decision to participate came after consultations between Aga Khan Stables, the owner of 'Kalandanjan', and its team based in Dubai. They gave the green light for the five-year-old horse, who is trained by Francis-Henri Graffart. Nim Roth, racing manager for Aga Khan, told the British newspaper: 'We are very happy with Kalandanjan's performance. If we were not to participate in Dubai, we would have been looking for other races for him next summer.' She added: 'The horse is in good shape, and we already have the mare 'Raifka' in Dubai with our team there, and we are in constant contact with them.' She explained: 'Kalandanjan showed a great level of performance during his training session on Friday, after which our team in Dubai assessed the situation comprehensively and gave Kalandanjan the green light to travel from Paris to Dubai to participate in the Dubai World Cup evening.' The horse 'Kalandanjan' achieved the world's highest ranking after winning the 'Japan Cup' last November, adding a new achievement to his successful record last season, especially in the European racing season, securing four victories in Grade 1 races in 2025. In the Dubai World Cup evening, 'Kalandanjan' will face prominent competitors in the 'Dubai Shima Classic', led by 'Rebels Romance' from the Godolphin stable, who won the race under trainer Charlie Appleby in 2022 and 2024. Also participating is 'Ethical Diamond', who won the famous American 'Breeders' Cup Turf' race last November under trainer Willie Mullins.
