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| Staff Writer |
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City Of Troy, the all-conquering colt from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable, is setting his sights on a historic tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic following his scintillating display in the Gr.1 Juddmonte International at York.
The son of Justify carried all before him as a juvenile and, despite an unexpected blip in the 2,000 Guineas, has reasserted himself as his generation's star performer. Victories in the Derby and Coral-Eclipse set the stage for his dazzling performance on the Knavesmire, where he led from pillar to post under Ryan Moore, breaking the 10-furlong track record in the process.
Connections appear fully focused on taking City Of Troy to Del Mar for the Classic on 2 November, where he will attempt to become both O'Brien and Coolmore's first-ever winner of America's richest race. The US$6 million contest represents a significant challenge, with the three-year-old colt facing his first test on dirt against battle-hardened US opposition.
O'Brien, speaking after the York triumph, outlined the plan: "It looks like City Of Troy is going to go straight to the Classic, I think, listening to everybody. We're planning to take him to one of your tracks for a racecourse gallop, either Southwell or Ryan mentioned Wolverhampton. We just want to get him on a different surface before he goes straight on to America."
Michael Tabor, Coolmore partner, struck a note of cautious optimism: "It is very difficult, trying to prepare the horse for a different situation and it is a big ask. I noticed someone quoted him at 3-1. That is a short price – that's a ridiculous price. A different surface like that, he's not used to that surface."
Tabor added: "Naturally we'd love to win it. We've gone pretty close with Giant's Causeway and maybe one day we'll win, hopefully this year with City Of Troy."
The Coolmore team is no stranger to Breeders' Cup success, having won the Turf on seven occasions. However, the Classic has thus far eluded their grasp, with Giant's Causeway's agonising nose defeat to Tiznow in 2000 the closest they've come.
City Of Troy will be bidding to emulate the feat of Arrogate, who in 2016 became the last three-year-old to win the Classic. That victory came at Santa Anita, with Del Mar yet to witness a sophomore winner of its showpiece event since hosting the Breeders' Cup for the first time in 2017.
As the countdown to November begins, all eyes will be on City Of Troy's preparations. His planned all-weather gallop will be scrutinised for any clues as to how this turf superstar might handle the switch to dirt. With a perfect blend of speed and stamina already proven on grass, the racing world waits with bated breath to see if this exceptional talent can translate his brilliance to a new surface and write his name into the annals of Breeders' Cup history.