Joseph O'Brien, son of Aidan O'Brien, is eager for City Of Troy's run in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The race at Del Mar promises excitement, with top US dirt horses and Europe's finest turf contenders colliding.
Joseph O'Brien is optimistic about City Of Troy's chances as he prepares for what he describes as "one of the races of the year" at Del Mar this Saturday. As the son of renowned trainer Aidan O'Brien, Joseph has a wealth of experience at the Breeders' Cup, having participated in various capacities over the years—as a supportive son, a jockey, and now as a contemporary in training. His own history in the Classic includes a near miss in 2013 when he finished third aboard Declaration Of War, and now he’s eager to witness history as City Of Troy, a son of Justify, aims to fulfill his father's long-standing dream of winning the prestigious $7 million event.
“I think City Of Troy is the right type for the race,” Joseph said. “He’s got a ton of speed and a high cruising speed. As you know, there’s only one way to find out if they will adapt to the dirt or not, and that is to run on it. I think he has the attributes to suggest he could be one of those that can adapt and take to it.” He anticipates a thrilling showdown featuring top dirt horses from America and elite turf competitors from Europe, potentially making this one of the most exciting races of the season.
Reflecting on his past experiences at the Breeders' Cup, O'Brien recalled his victory in the Turf with St Nicholas Abbey in 2011 and his win with Iridessa at Santa Anita in 2019, after transitioning from jockey to trainer. However, he still feels the sting of his close call in 2013, when he narrowly missed out on Classic glory. “It was a fantastic run, and I was very proud of the horse,” he continued. “It was frustrating to be beaten by the fine margin we were, but it was a great run from a very tough horse.”
While he holds high hopes for City Of Troy, legendary jockey Kieren Fallon expressed caution regarding the colt's ability to handle the unique challenges of the dirt track. “He will have to be handy and they are going to hassle him – you know what the Americans are like, it's speed, speed, speed,” said Fallon. He noted that despite City Of Troy being a standout competitor with top-notch support, the dirt racing environment could pose significant challenges. “If he gets back too far, I can't see him facing the kickback because it's wet dirt and he will be backing off.”
John Gosden, a past Classic winner, offered insight on navigating the Del Mar track. He emphasized the importance of a good start and suggested that if the City Of Troy gets a clear run, he could outclass his competitors. “Our horses are not used to dirt hitting them in the face, and that's what they will be trying to avoid,” he noted.
As the anticipation builds for the Breeders' Cup Classic, Frankie Dettori, who will compete against City Of Troy aboard Bob Baffert’s Newgate, acknowledged the intrigue the Irish raider brings to the race. “Nobody knows how City Of Troy will handle the track, but he's bringing a lot of spice to the Classic this year,” Dettori stated, highlighting the added excitement surrounding this year’s event.
With the stage set for a thrilling encounter, all eyes will be on City Of Troy and his journey through the challenges of the Breeders' Cup Classic, as both Joseph O'Brien and the racing community hope to witness a moment of history in the making.
