City Of Troy is set to go straight to the Breeders’ Cup Classic following his impressive win in the Juddmonte International at York.
Aidan O’Brien’s standout colt Justify has been a dominant force since his juvenile days. Despite a surprising setback in the 2000 Guineas, he has reasserted himself as the top performer of his generation, claiming victories in both the Derby and Coral-Eclipse before his dazzling performance at York, where he set a new 10-furlong track record.
Following his York triumph, City Of Troy is reported to be in excellent condition, having led from start to finish with Ryan Moore aboard. Although he has entries in various Group One races across Europe, the focus now appears to be on the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, aiming to secure a first Classic win for both O’Brien and Coolmore.
To prepare for his U.S. venture, O’Brien plans to give City Of Troy a racecourse gallop on an all-weather surface in Britain, with Southwell or Wolverhampton being potential venues.
O’Brien commented, “It looks like City Of Troy will head straight to the Classic. We’re considering a gallop at either Southwell or Wolverhampton to get him accustomed to a different surface before heading to America.”
Coolmore partner Michael Tabor acknowledged the challenge, saying, “Preparing for a different surface is tough. The 3-1 odds quoted are quite short for such a transition. We’ve come close before with Giant’s Causeway, and we’re hopeful that City Of Troy can finally secure the win for us this year.”