It is not often that the winner of the Derby at Epsom is linked with the Breeders’ Cup Classic later that year, however, connections of City Of Troy are considered an ambitious shot at the Breeders’ Cup feature race with their star colt.
Doubters silenced! 🤫
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) June 1, 2024
CITY OF TROY picks himself up from the 2,000 Guineas canvas and wins the Derby at Epsom! 👊 #Derby
🎥 @RacingTV
pic.twitter.com/Fhu5NgvSTZ
City Of Troy is the son of former US Triple Crown winner Justify, so his breeding suggests he will appreciate the switch to dirt, should his trainer Aidan O’Brien opt for the 1m2f contest in November.
York Set to Be Next Test
Irish Champion Trainer O’Brien has revealed that the Group One Juddmonte International will be City of Troy’s next test this season. He is +125 in Paddy’s betting odds to prevail and extend his winning run to three races.
The Champion Three-Year-Old will be facing some of the leading middle-distance horses in the UK and Ireland at York, however, he will be one of the leading racing tips for the race, such is his reputation. This will be his second run against the older generation, as he won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown earlier this season.
City Of Troy will be dropping down in distance at York from 1m4f to 1m2f, but that is unlikely to be a problem for him. He showed last season when winning over 7f that he has the speed to prevail over shorter distances.
Breeders’ Cup Appearance Very Likely
City Of Troy has the @BreedersCup Classic as his long-term target this season, Aidan O'Brien confirms... 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LVdeGqrOgV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 11, 2024
Although a decision on City Of Troy’s switch to dirt has yet to be reached, the Derby winner will likely travel to Del Mar in California later this year. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is a race his trainer and owners have been desperately trying to win over the last two decades.
Should the Ballydoyle team decide against running on dirt, they do have several options on turf. The Breeders’ Cup Turf is the most obvious target. That was the race won by Auguste Rodin in 2023, just months after his triumph in the Derby. O’Brien has landed the Breeders’ Cup Turf seven times in his career. This year’s race may prove to be City Of Troy’s last appearance on the track before a new career as a stallion.
In Frame to Be Horse of the Year
City Of Troy is one of the early frontrunners to be named the Horse of the Year in Europe. The season started with defeat for him in the 2,000 Guineas as Newmarket, however, he bounced back in spectacular style to win the Derby by a wide margin.
The Irish horse’s Derby triumph has been rated as one of the finest performances in the race in recent years. He powered home under the hands of Ryan Moore, showcasing the speed his father often showed on the track.
City Of Troy enhanced his reputation further in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. The three-year-old faced much more experienced horses in that Group One contest, including Al Riffa, but he was able to score at the highest level once again.
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Championship takes place between November 1-2. The final declarations for each race, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic are to be announced a week before the meeting.
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