3 minute read

City Of Troy launched himself into superstar status when producing a stunning front-running performance in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York.

Aidan O'Brien's Epsom Derby hero and Coral-Eclipse Stakes champion was sent off the 5/4 favourite to claim further top-level honours at York and under a world-class front-running Ryan Moore ride, the Ballydoyle colt galloped on relentlessly down the Knavesmire to enter the history books.

The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained King Edward VII Stakes winner Calandagan appeared from the pack to try and throw down a challenge, but no matter how hard he tried, the French raider couldn't get past City Of Troy, who lengthened away to score by a length, breaking the course record in the process. The victory also saw City Of Troy become the first horse to complete the Epsom Derby-Juddmonte International double since Sea The Stars in 2009.

Clive Cox's Ghostwriter, who raced freely throughout, emerged with plenty of credit back in third, making it a clean sweep for the Classic generation.

"He got away well, and I didn't want to take him back," explained Moore, on what was a surprising ride to many with Hans Andersen in the field as a confirmed pacemaker. "He travelled beautifully the whole way, and I only really let his head go at the two [furlong marker] and he was a bit idle, but he was finding all the way to the line – he just kept digging."

An unbeaten two-year-old campaign saw City Of Troy crowned Europe's champion juvenile for 2023, but a desperate performance in the 2000 Guineas on his seasonal reappearance left heads being scratched. However, with three-straight Group 1 victories, the son of Justify has firmly cemented his elite status in the racing game, something his trainer Aidan O'Brien was convinced would materialise from the outset.

"He's the best I have trained, and we thought that as a two-year-old, we always thought that," said O'Brien, who surpassed Sir Michael Stoute's record as the winning-most trainer of York's prestigious one-mile two-and-a-half furlong prize. "He is the most special horse we've ever had. We went off the road the first run this year and right into the swamp, but for him to come out of it and to get to where he is today is incredible.

"I'm obviously always saying too much about him and they are saying he smashed the course record there and it didn't go according to plan. Ryan decided to make the running on him and what an incredible ride he gave him.

"I'm so delighted for the lads, and we always felt he was something very different. Things haven't gone right for him some days, but he still overcomes them which makes it very special."

All roads appear to lead to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, although Paddy Power were quick to cut the decisive winner to 6/4 favourite (from 5/2 fav) for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. 

"He is a horse who loves to be up with the pace and a strong pace and he gets it really well. Everything he does, he stays, he is tough and we're hoping the lads might go to the (Breeders' Cup) Classic with him, that would be some dream.

"He has natural pace out the stalls like Giant's Causeway had but quicker. What happened in the Guineas frightened us and we didn't want to do that anymore, we wanted to drop him in and teach him to relax and do all the right things.

"He did it with Ryan unplanned today, so it was in there wanting to come out. It was incredible what he did there and the last half of the race, what he was doing was incredible, I thought he went through the line really strong."

Francis-Henri Graffard was quick to express his delight with the run of Calandagan, who could be set for a return to Ascot for the Champion Stakes in October.

"It was a fantastic run. They jumped very fast and then they took a pull and that didn't suit us, as we found ourselves quite far from the lead," said Graffard.

"He tried my horse, the way he quickened in the straight, it was fantastic to watch. I shouted as I was thinking we were coming to get him (City Of Troy), but he kept pushing and he is a champion.

"I'm very proud of our horse. It is the first time he has run in a Group 1, and we didn't have any Group 1 form before, so there were still a lot of question marks – but the way he accelerated in the straight was fantastic and he is a very good horse."

He added: "Obviously we will see how he comes back. He can come back to Ascot for the Champion Stakes, we will speak to the entourage obviously, but we know he doesn't mind soft ground.

"There are plenty of options. As you know, he's a gelding. We'll see how he comes back because I think he gave a lot of his heart on the racecourse today."