Chaldean was from the seventh crop of foals sired by Frankel, an undefeated racehorse whose other progeny have included Cracksman, Adayar, Soul Stirring and Hurricane Lane.
[8] Barry Mahon commented "He’s very straightforward and he’s done it well – he was gutsy... He’s quite a young horse, being a middle of May foal, and I’d imagine he’s quite a bit more developing and growing to do, so we won’t over-race him this year.
"[3] In September Chaldean was moved up in class again for the Champagne Stakes, a Group 2 event over seven furlongs on soft ground at Doncaster Racecourse.
Ridden by the first time by the veteran Frankie Dettori, who became his regular jockey, he started 2/1 second choice behind the Solario Stakes winner Silver Knott, with Indestructible completing the three-runner field.
Chaldean recovered from a slow start to take the lead after a furlong and maintained his advantage throughout the race, holding off a strong late challenge from Royal Scotsman to prevail by a head.
[13] Chaldean began his second campaign on 22 April when he started the 5/4 favourite for the Greenham Stakes at Newbury but had no chance to make any meaningful contribution to the race.
[14] On 6 May Chaldean was one of fourteen colts to contest the 215th running of the 2000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket and started the 7/2 second choice in the betting behind the Vertem Futurity Trophy winner Auguste Rodin, while the other contenders included Little Big Bear, Royal Scotsman, Indestructible, Silver Knott, Noble Style (Gimcrack Stakes), Sakheer (Mill Reef Stakes) and Dubai Mile (Criterium de Saint-Cloud).
Racing down the centre of the wide Newmarket course Chaldean settled just behind the leaders before overtaking the front-running 150/1 outsider Hi Royal a furlong from the finish.