Saeed bin Suroor aims to cement City Of Troy's legacy as a 'real champion' by conquering the challenging dirt of the Breeders' Cup Classic, following in the footsteps of legendary entries from O'Brien and Bin Suroor.
Saeed bin Suroor understands the challenge of winning the Breeders' Cup Classic and believes that if City Of Troy succeeds in mastering the dirt at Del Mar, he will be recognized as a 'real champion.' Like Aidan O'Brien, Bin Suroor has made multiple attempts to win this prestigious race, coming up short with some of the best horses he has trained. Both trainers have come close, with O'Brien's Giant's Causeway narrowly losing by a neck in 2000 and Sakhee being defeated by just a nose to Tiznow, the only dual winner of the Classic, a year later.
Bin Suroor has witnessed exceptional horses like Swain and Thunder Snow place prominently in the Classic, underscoring the race's difficulty and the high level of performance necessary for success. He remarked, 'City Of Troy is extraordinary, and his achievements in Europe are incredible. I believe everyone is eager to watch him compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The quality of racing at the Breeders' Cup is unparalleled; the best horses emerge as victors. If City Of Troy wins, he will be a true champion.'
Bin Suroor has extensive experience in dirt racing, having won numerous races on this surface. While Sakhee was racing on dirt for the first time during his Classic attempt, most of his current horses are accustomed to it. Nonetheless, he is keen to see how City Of Troy, an outstanding turf performer, will perform in his dirt debut during his final race in the States. 'I've won the Dubai World Cup nine times, and most of the time these are turf horses, but you have to give them a chance,' he explained.
