The 2024 flat campaign has delivered its fair share of stellar performances, with the likes of Rosallion, Notable Speech, and Economics rightly earning plaudits for their displays at the track. However, in terms of column inches, hype, and brilliance, one horse has towered over them all. 2024 was the year of City Of Troy, and he isn’t finished yet!
Unbeaten during his juvenile season, including the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, and labelled as the most talented performer to hail from the yard of Aidan O’Brien (high praise indeed), City Of Troy inevitably headed into 2024 riding a tidal wave of hype. First time up in the 2,000 Guineas, that wave crashed against the Newmarket rocks as he trailed home 17 lengths adrift of Notable Speech. Had his bubble burst so soon?
Bouncing Back in Style
Fast forward to Epsom in June, and supporters kept the faith, with the mount of Ryan Moore sent off as the 3/1 favourite for the premier Classic of the season. That faith was well rewarded, as City Of Troy oozed class in a dominant display to forge clear when close to home.
With plaudits raining down at an unprecedented rate once more, the powerful colt headed to Sandown for his next assignment in the Coral-Eclipse. The bookmakers took no chances this time, with the son of Justify starting at odds of just 1/4. Looking a good thing on paper, City Of Troy made rather hard work of it – grinding out a one-length verdict, best described as proficient rather than spectacular. Perhaps he wasn’t the second coming after all.
City Of Troy’s ability then faced the ultimate test in the Juddmonte International. Lining up in a field containing French star Calandagan, Group 1 winning mare Bluestocking, Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly, and York specialist Alflaila, the 2024 edition of the Ebor Festival highlight was the hottest in years. Sent straight into the lead by Moore, City Of Troy produced a devastating display of power, pouring on the pace as one-by-one his rivals cracked. A length to the good at the line and showing no signs of stopping, this was the day the superstar colt truly delivered on the hype.
Next Stop… Southwell
All options lay open to City Of Troy on the back of that York display, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Irish Champion Stakes touted as possible destinations ahead of a shot at his ultimate goal – the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The prospect of soft ground at Longchamp in October quickly saw the Arc ruled out, particularly as Ballydoyle has alternative options more suited to that assignment (most notably the filly Opera Singer).
With a trip to Paris looking unlikely, many assumed the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday, 14th of September, would be next on the agenda. Held over the same trip as the Juddmonte International and nicely situated in the calendar, the €1.25m event appeared a natural fit. Natural fit or not, that test will now be left to stablemates Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles, as City Of Troy takes a rather lower-key trip to Southwell later in the month.
The Ideal Prep?
Why Southwell? you may ask. The answer lies in the Tapeta surface, which provides the ideal stepping stone between turf (the only surface City Of Troy has raced on to date) and the dirt track at Del Mar.
City of Troy to Gallop at Southwell Ahead of Breeders’ Cup! 🏆
Don’t miss this superstar colt trained by Aidan O’Brien, on Friday 20th September!🏇
Secure your free ticket here👉 https://t.co/CbVGXVbYfl
(Timings are to be confirmed and updates will be posted in due course) pic.twitter.com/FLoLJAxmMM
— Southwell Racecourse (@Southwell_Races) September 6, 2024
In addition to the underfoot conditions, a trip to Southwell allows O’Brien to replicate the set-up of the Breeders’ Cup Classic as closely as possible. US Stalls are being shipped over for the occasion, as are a collection of City Of Troy’s speediest stablemates – who will go flat out from the moment the stalls open to mirror the US style. How well City Of Troy travels with his lower-rated comrades before, hopefully, picking them off in the straight will provide an early pointer towards his US prospects.
Troy the First?
Impressive as City Of Troy has been, he has not yet broken new ground for Aidan O’Brien, who has landed the Dewhurst, Epsom Derby, Coral-Eclipse, and Juddmonte International several times. However, the master handler is yet to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Second with Giant’s Causeway in 2000 and again with Henrythenavigator in 2008, this is the global prize O’Brien and Coolmore covet above all others. On paper, City Of Troy‘s claims are arguably stronger than those of his predecessors.
His 124 rating is slightly below the peak efforts of Giant’s Causeway (126) and Henrythenavigotor (125), but neither has a pedigree as suitable to the task. Storm Cat, the sire of Giant’s Causeway, plied his trade in the US and has made his mark as a stallion but won only one race of note, whilst Henrythenavigator’s sire, Kingmambo, won three times at the highest level but raced exclusively on European turf.
Barring a disqualification in the Santa Anita Derby, City Of Troy’s sire, Justify, boasted a perfect US record, with his wins including the feted Triple Crown of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Successful on dirt over trips ranging from seven furlongs to 1m4f, he is (at least in theory) perfectly suited to producing a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner. Throw in the presence of the tough and classy Galileo on the dam side and high-class performances in the book, and you have the current favourite for this year’s race in Del Mar on Saturday, 2nd of November.