City of Troy tunes up for Breeders' Cup Classic with public gallop

Champion City of Troy, the leading European-based candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, turned in a key public gallop Friday on the Tapeta at Southwell, seeking to prepare him for his dirt debut and American racing conditions.

More than 1,000 people turned out to watch at Southwell in England as Coolmore’s City of Troy and four stablemates from trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard headed out for their work, with regular rider Ryan Moore aboard City of Troy. The colt, who was the Cartier Award European champion juvenile and this year has won the Epsom Derby, Coral-Eclipse, and Juddmonte International, vastly outclassed his workmates. The group consisted of the 3-year-old Democracy, Edwardian, and Master of the Hunt, all with only respective maiden wins to their credit; and the 4-year-old Congo River, minor stakes-placed in 2022 but unraced this year.

With an American-style starting gate brought in, City of Troy broke well from the middle, in post 3, and then was taken back to last by Moore in order to experience kickback, which appeared minor on the Tapeta. The colt travelled easily in the early going, with Moore riding high and with a long hold. He then came between horses on the only turn and easily took over, with Moore not moving as some of the others came under vigorous rides, although no whips were brandished. Moore then hand-urged his mount to the finish line, as he pulled 10 lengths clear in the final furlong.

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No fractional or final times were published for the one-mile exhibition.

“Southwell have done a great job, and I’m so pleased everybody has been able to come and see him,” Coolmore’s Paul Smith told the Racing Post. “We’re hoping it provides a bit of insight into what City Of Troy does. . . . He’s conquered all so far, and we’re really looking forward to the next challenge. The Breeders' Cup Classic is a tough nut to crack, but he’s by Justify and has a big chance.”

The Classic, City of Troy’s season and possibly career finale, is set for Nov. 2 at Del Mar. The colt is by Triple Crown winner Justify, a Coolmore sire who has proven equally adept with both dirt and turf runners. The female side of the colt’s family is almost exclusively turf runners.

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