City Of Troy overcame challenging conditions at Sandown to secure a hard-fought victory in the Coral-Eclipse.
The Derby winner, who rebounded at Epsom after a disappointing 2000 Guineas, entered the race as the 1-4 favourite with Ryan Moore aboard. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, City Of Troy tracked his stablemate Hans Andersen throughout the race. When asked to accelerate, he didn’t display the expected burst of speed, but still managed to take the lead. He held off a late challenge from 11-1 shot Al Riffa to win by a length, with Ghostwriter finishing third, five and a half lengths behind.
Reflecting on the race, O’Brien admitted the soft ground caused anxiety for the team, stating, “We were very worried about the ground, which was softer and deeper than expected.” He acknowledged the risk of running on such unfamiliar terrain but praised the decision to proceed, noting the supportive enthusiasm of the team.
Despite being ideally suited to firmer ground, City Of Troy showcased his ability by winning despite the challenging conditions. O’Brien hinted at future plans, mentioning potential races like the Juddmonte International or the Irish Champion Stakes, with a long-term eye on the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Ryan Moore, though pleased with the victory, acknowledged the ground’s impact on City Of Troy’s performance, noting, “The conditions were not ideal for him.” He highlighted the horse’s potential for improvement in races with a faster pace, emphasising his belief in City Of Troy’s capabilities for bigger challenges ahead.
Overall, while the Coral-Eclipse victory validated City Of Troy’s resilience, both trainer and jockey hinted at even greater potential if conditions align more favourably in future races.