City Of Troy Secures Superstar Status with Record-Breaking Juddmonte International Win

Aidan O’Brien once again hailed City Of Troy as the best horse he has ever trained after the colt shattered the course record previously held by the legendary Sea The Stars in a sizzling Juddmonte International at York.

On a day when Ballydoyle showcased its strength in depth, City Of Troy wasn’t the only record-breaker. Earlier in the afternoon, The Lion In Winter, the only Ballydoyle progeny of now-successful stallion The Winter’s Tale, clocked a record time in the Acomb Stakes, setting the stage for what would become a landmark day for the team.

City Of Troy’s reputation has long been established in racing circles, with O’Brien never shying away from expressing the colt’s exceptional talent. After a breathtaking performance in last year’s Superlative Stakes, O’Brien publicly declared the work City Of Troy was producing at home was like nothing he had ever seen before.

However, despite his Dewhurst victory on testing ground, a flop in the 2000 Guineas left even the sharpest minds at Coolmore scratching their heads. Yet, as he did the previous year with Auguste Rodin, O’Brien turned things around by securing Derby glory at Epsom, followed by an Eclipse win that, while unspectacular, came on ground that was less than ideal.

There were no excuses left at York, where a star-studded field including Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly, top-class filly Bluestocking, Royal Ascot winner Calandagan, and Japanese St Leger hero Durezza lined up to test the Ballydoyle colt. O’Brien sent out Hans Andersen as a pacemaker, but City Of Troy broke so sharply under Ryan Moore that he found himself leading from the outset, a position he maintained all the way to the line, winning by a length from Calandagan.

O’Brien couldn’t hide his excitement at what lies ahead, hinting at the tantalizing prospect of a Breeders’ Cup Classic bid, for which City Of Troy is already the 4-1 favorite with Betfair. “The lads can take him wherever they want, but we’ve always dreamed of him being a Classic horse,” O’Brien said. “Today wasn’t about making the running, but when he hit the gates like that, Ryan decided to let him stride on, and it paid off.”

Reflecting on the colt’s journey, O’Brien noted, “The Guineas frightened us; it wasn’t the plan to make the running, and we pulled back from that. But today, he did what he used to do as a two-year-old—dominated the race and kept going. Ryan rode him brilliantly, keeping him relaxed before asking for more, and when he did, City Of Troy just powered through.”

City Of Troy’s stride length and ability to sustain a high tempo over the final furlongs have always set him apart, and O’Brien believes these qualities make him uniquely suited to handling international challenges. “He’s got that natural speed and stamina combination that you rarely see,” O’Brien added. “When you see him go through the line, you know he’s something truly special.”

While the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe remains an outside possibility, with Moore openly expressing interest, the focus appears to be shifting towards America. “Ryan would love to take him to the Arc, and it’s still on the table, but the Breeders’ Cup Classic might be the dream we’ve always had for him,” O’Brien stated.

Coolmore’s Michael Tabor was similarly emphatic in his praise. “That was better than anything, and I mean anything,” he said. “He never looked like being beaten, and there’s more to come. He’s a special horse, just as Aidan has always said.”

As the racing world speculates on what comes next, City Of Troy’s dazzling display at York has already cemented his place as one of the all-time greats, with the potential for even greater heights on the horizon.