"Troy to Face Stellar Line-Up in Juddmonte International at York: Derby and Eclipse Champion Set for Season's Toughest Test Against Top-Class Rivals from Home and Abroad"
City Of Troy is part of a bumper field of 17 confirmed entries for what promises to be the race of the season in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.
Aidan O'Brien's Derby and Eclipse winner will face his toughest challenge yet against new rivals from the Classic generation and a high-class field of older horses. O'Brien has also included Continuous, Hans Andersen, and Los Angeles.
A strong challenge comes from France with Calandagan, impressive at Royal Ascot for Francis-Henri Graffard, and the Jerome Reynier-trained Zarakem, runner-up in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Japan's Juddmonte International challenger Durezza looking an absolute picture in Newmarket this morning @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/7RL3LgoW1a
— PA Racing (@PAracing) August 13, 2024
Durezza, the Japanese St Leger winner, will be Japan's first runner since Zenno Rob Roy nearly won in 2005.
Top filly Bluestocking remains a potential contender for the sponsors, while Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly appears well-suited to the shorter distance for James Fanshawe.
Owen Burrows' Alflaila, with three Group race wins at York, is a formidable threat, as is Clive Cox's Ghostwriter, who was not far behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse.
Top-quality horses, including Maljoom, Israr, Docklands, and Royal Rhyme, are available at high odds, showing the strength of the competition shaping up.
Additional strength could come from White Birch, who has a critical gallop on Friday to decide his participation.
The four-year-old has not raced since surprising Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. He missed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot due to an unsatisfactory blood test and also skipped the Eclipse, having not fully recovered.
'He's in very good form. He's due to have a piece of work tomorrow, Colin Keane will ride him and we'll have a chat with the owners after that and make a decision whether he goes to York or whether he goes straight to the Irish Champion Stakes,' said George Murphy, assistant trainer to his father, John, on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.
'Tomorrow or the next day we'll decide which direction we're going,' he added.
'There are a few other races we're considering, so it's a final decision on how we map out his summer and autumn campaign. He's in super form, he had a bit of a break, and seems to have done very well, so fingers crossed all goes well over the next few days.
'He had three races very close together, so a break was probably beneficial. You can't keep racing all year, and there are some exciting races towards the end of the year that we are very focused on.
'The Arc is definitely still an option and quite high on the list. However, there's also the Irish Champion Stakes, the Arc, and the English Champion Stakes, so there are plenty of options.
'We'll know a bit more in the coming days. He's in good shape and whatever will be will be.'
