"City Of Troy: Can Aidan O’Brien Finally Conquer the Breeders' Cup Classic?"
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"City Of Troy: Can Aidan O’Brien Finally Conquer the Breeders' Cup Classic?"

Sea The Stars’ trainer anticipating ‘interesting’ challenge for Ballydoyle star,

 City Of Troy: Aidan O’Brien’s Best Bet for Breeders' Cup Glory?

Legendary trainer John Oxx, best known for his handling of the great Sea The Stars, believes this could be the perfect year for Aidan O'Brien to finally clinch victory in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Classic with City Of Troy. Having already shattered track records and established himself as a serious contender in the racing world, City Of Troy may just be O'Brien’s golden ticket to conquering the most coveted race in American horse racing on dirt.

City Of Troy’s rise to fame has been meteoric, with wins in the Derby, Eclipse, and Juddmonte International—the latter breaking the track record previously held by the iconic Sea The Stars. His pedigree alone suggests that this race could be the challenge that propels him to legendary status. His sire, Justify, won the American Triple Crown, and the bloodline offers hope that City Of Troy could adapt well to the dirt surface in the Breeders' Cup.

For Oxx, who famously trained Sea The Stars, it’s the timing of this year’s field that presents a unique opportunity for City Of Troy. With no standout horses dominating the American racing scene, this could be the year when O’Brien’s team, in partnership with Coolmore, strikes gold on the dirt track.

Sea The Stars with John Oxx
Sea The Stars with John Oxx (Niall Carson/PA)

 Sea The Stars’ Legacy and the Breeders' Cup Decision

Oxx’s insight carries the weight of experience, given his own decision not to race Sea The Stars in the Breeders' Cup back in 2009. Despite having won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in that legendary campaign, Sea The Stars didn’t head to the Breeders' Cup, primarily because the event was held on a Polytrack surface at Santa Anita, which was more suited to European turf horses. As Oxx recalls, “The owner was never really that interested in going and because of having had Urban Sea (Sea The Stars' dam), we were always going for the Arc.”

That decision was pivotal at the time, but Oxx remains mindful of the respect due to the Breeders' Cup and the opportunity it provides. Reflecting on the unique circumstances of the 2009 race, he mentioned, “I did leave it open because I didn't want to insult the Breeders' Cup people, who do a great job. That year it was in Santa Anita on the Pro-Ride that John Gosden's Raven's Pass beat Henrythenavigator to give Europe a one-two.”

While that surface may have suited Sea The Stars back then, the dirt at Del Mar this year offers City Of Troy a chance to prove himself on the American stage. Unlike Sea The Stars, who was retired following his Arc victory, City Of Troy’s team has its sights firmly set on crossing the Atlantic to make history.

City Of Troy is building up an impressive record
City Of Troy is building up an impressive record (John Walton/PA)

 Pedigree Paves the Path to Dirt

There’s more to this horse’s story than his stellar track record. City Of Troy’s lineage is one of balance and versatility. His sire, Justify, has already shown the ability to produce top-tier performers on both dirt and turf, making City Of Troy’s potential for a transition to dirt racing all the more tantalizing. His dam, Together Forever, may have been a turf specialist, but with Justify’s dirt credentials, there’s optimism in the air.

Oxx draws comparisons to previous O'Brien-trained runners who have thrived on dirt, pointing out, “City Of Troy is half-dirt bred, whereas Giant's Causeway (beaten a nose in the Classic for O'Brien) had it on both sides. His dam was a very good performer on the dirt. Johannesburg (winner of the Juvenile on dirt) had it on both sides too.”

The Coolmore operation has long aimed to prove that their stallions can produce champions on both surfaces. John Magnier, Coolmore’s head, has been eager to demonstrate that their horses aren’t just turf specialists but can also compete with the best on dirt. This year could be the moment that dream is realized.

The Competition and Timing

While City Of Troy enters the Breeders' Cup Classic as a 7-2 favorite, competition looms large. The Todd Pletcher-trained Fierceness has rebounded from Kentucky Derby disappointment, securing two wins since, most notably in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Also in contention is Japan’s Forever Young, who hasn’t raced since finishing third at Churchill Downs in a memorable run against Mystik Dan.

However, this year’s American field is perceived to be weaker than in previous seasons, giving O'Brien a prime opportunity to make his mark. As Oxx puts it, “This year there is no outstanding three-year-old and the four-year-old division is weak, so it is probably the year to try it.”

For racing fans, City Of Troy’s journey to the Breeders' Cup is more than just a story of pedigree or track records—it’s about timing, opportunity, and ambition. The stakes are higher than ever, and for O'Brien, who has come agonizingly close in the past, this might finally be the year he claims the prize that has eluded him for so long.

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