Saeed bin Suroor, the seasoned Godolphin trainer, is backing City Of Troy as the colt faces his biggest test in the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Classic. Bin Suroor, who has come close in the Classic with champions like Sakhee and Thunder Snow, understands the challenge City Of Troy will face on dirt against top U.S. and European competitors. He notes, "If City Of Troy wins, he’ll be a real champion."
Aidan O’Brien and Bin Suroor have long sought to capture the Classic title, with both trainers narrowly defeated by Tiznow in 2000 and 2001. City Of Troy’s impressive turf performances suggest that Bin Suroor could adapt well to dirt, especially with his Justify lineage favouring the surface.
Reflecting on his successes on dirt, including nine Dubai World Cup wins, Bin Suroor explained his approach: "Most horses need a chance to adapt to dirt, but for top-class horses, their quality often shines through." He believes City Of Troy, proven on turf, has the pedigree to excel in this demanding U.S. race.
A Classic win would place City Of Troy among the elite horses known for excelling on multiple surfaces, a rare achievement even for champions like Thunder Snow. "The Breeders’ Cup is as tough as it gets, and I think everyone is eager to see how he performs," Bin Suroor said, hopeful for a breakthrough at Del Mar.