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City Of Troy will bid to become just the sixth horse to complete the Epsom DerbyJuddmonte International double when he faces twelve rivals at York on Wednesday.
Aidan O'Brien's stable star will attempt to etch his name in the history books alongside Roberto (1972), Troy (1979), Authorized (2007), Sea The Stars (2009) and most recently Australia (2014) when bidding to become just the sixth horse to complete the Epsom Derby-Juddmonte International double at York.
Connections of Ballydoyle have made it no secret as to how highly they regard this colt, even labelling him as 'our' Frankel – who gallopedinto equine immortality in this contest twelve years ago – after his emphatic success in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October.
An unbeaten two-year-old campaign would see him crowned Europe's champion juvenile for 2023 and subsequently, he was sent off odds on to claim Britain's opening Classic of the season at Newmarket in May. However, the script was not to be followed at racing HQ that day, as City Of Troy fluffed his lines and ultimately finished a well-beaten ninth in the 2000 Guineas, leaving spectators, members of the media, and even O'Brien himself pondering as to what had just occurred.
Following a similar scenario twelve months earlier with Auguste Rodin, team Ballydoyle kept to their guns and headed to the Epsom Derby with a horse on something of a revival mission. And those who kept their faith in City Of Troy were swiftly rewarded, as the son of Justify produced a monstrous performance on his first attempt over a mile and a half to come home two and threequarter lengths clear of Ambiente Friendly to claim Epsom glory.
A more workmanlike display to beat Al Riffa in the Coral Eclipse Stakes back over ten furlongs at Sandown followed last month and although the Juddmonte International will surely represent his stiffest task to date, O'Brien retains full faith in his latest rising star.
"He's good, we've been happy with him since the Eclipse," O'Brien told Racing TV earlier in the week. "He's obviously always been a horse that has captured everybody's imagination. He's in very good order at the moment."
"He's strong in his work and we always thought York would suit him, it's a big open track and class usually helps in York. There's usually an even pace on and we're happy with where he is.
"We were happy with him in Sandown last time, but things maybe didn't work in his favour to show off his strengths but we're happy with what he did.
"He's been unique all the way along and I've been looking forward to it (Juddmonte) for a long time now."
Paddy Power makes City Of Troy a 5/4 chance to claim Juddmonte International glory on Wednesday, but a stellar line-up of thirteen high-class horses stands in his way.
The Classic generation isback for more as Ambiente Friendly attempts to reverse Epsom Derby placings. James Fanshawe's progressive son of Gleneagles looks sure to be suited by the drop back to a mile and a quarter after finishing third behind Los Angeles in the Group 1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, while Ghostwriter returns to quick ground on the back of finishing two lengths behind City Of Troy in the Coral Eclipse.
Francis-Henri Graffard's upwardly mobile French raider Calandaganrequires maximum respect following his six-length demolition in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and at the same time, there is no shortage of strength in depth from the older horses.
Proven course and distance winners Alfaila and Bluestocking represent considerable opposition, especially with connections of the latter, who won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh earlier this year, opting to run her here rather than in the Yorkshire Oaks 24 hours later, where she surely would have gone off favourite.
Zarakem chased home Auguste Rodin in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and is another French contender who needs to be on the shortlist, while the prospect of ten furlongs certainly wets the whistle for Maljoom after William Haggas' talented yet fragile fouryear-old stayed on with purpose when runner-up to 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Japanese St Leger Stakes (one-mile seven-furlongs)winner Durezza adds a further international spice to what is almost certainly shaping up to be the race of the season.
A performance out of the top drawer is likely to be needed if City Of Troy is to print his name on the famous roll of honours board at York. The opposition looks deep, the ground looks perfect, and the stage looks set, for a contest that could go on to live long in the memory of racing fans around the world.
