City Of Troy, trained by Aidan O'Brien, has been officially declared the champion juvenile 2023. The rating is just 1lb below the legendary Frankel's two-year-old mark. The colt was sired by American Triple Crown winner Justify. He dominated his three starts last season. This included a Group One victory in the Dewhurst at Newmarket. He earned a rating of 125.
This achievement places the City Of Troy as the 13th European champion juvenile from O'Brien's stable. Frankel and Johannesburg, rated at 126 in their debut seasons, are closely ahead. O'Brien and part-owner Michael Tabor have hailed the City Of Troy as "the best two-year-old we've trained" and "our Frankel", respectively.
Mark Bird, from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, remarked on City Of Troy's outstanding performances. It places him in an elite group of two-year-olds like Zafonic and Fasliyev. He is just behind Johannesburg in Ballydoyle's history of European Champion Two-Year-Olds.
The City Of Troy led the final classifications, with Bucanero Fuerte, the Phoenix Stakes winner, following at 120. Henry Longfellow, another O'Brien trainee, and Simon and Ed Crisford's Middle Park Stakes winner Vandeek, the highest-rated British-trained juvenile, achieved 119.
Graeme Smith from the British Horseracing Authority noted Vandeek's significant 2023 performances. He highlighted the strength of the juvenile field in the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes, especially.