Trainer Jamie Osborne backs Aidan O’Brien’s contender to conquer the dirt and secure an elusive Breeders' Cup victory.
It’s been a decade since Toast Of New York narrowly missed capturing Breeders' Cup Classic glory for Europe, but Jamie Osborne believes City Of Troy could be the horse to finally claim the dirt showpiece. With European horses traditionally struggling on the surface, O’Brien’s charge would be the first European-trained winner on dirt since Arcangues shocked at 133-1 in 1993. City Of Troy’s blazing performance at York in the Juddmonte International has Osborne convinced he can take the coveted prize, setting a record and potentially securing Aidan O’Brien’s first Classic win.
"Toast could never have done what City Of Troy has done," says Osborne, emphasizing the colt’s unique pace and tenacity. With Ryan Moore likely pushing a forward position to avoid the notorious kickback, Osborne envisions a bold run that could rewrite history.
Reflecting on his own bittersweet night in 2014, when Toast Of New York was a whisker away from Classic victory, Osborne admits the lasting sense of pride and 'what ifs.' For Osborne and fans alike, seeing City Of Troy triumph would mark a long-awaited end to Europe’s losing streak on U.S. dirt – and a new chapter for British racing on the world stage.
