City Of Troy wins International; Coolmore sweeps BC qualifiers

His trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has had more than a few champions, called City Of Troy “the best I’ve ever trained.” Now he carries O’Brien’s ambition to win the elusive Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Not expected to take the early lead, City Of Troy did just that Wednesday and withstood all challengers on his way to a one-length victory in the Group 1, US$1.6 million International Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at York, England.

In a course-record time of 2:04.32 without a run-up for the 1 1/4 miles plus 56 yards, City Of Troy became the first horse since 2014 to win the Epsom Derby (G1) and the International in the same year.

A 3-year-old colt by Justify out of the Galileo mare Together Forever, City Of Troy earned an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

“Everything has me hoping maybe the (Coolmore ownership) lads might go to the Classic with him,” winning trainer Aidan O’Brien told Racing Post. “It’s some dream.”

The victory completed a Coolmore sweep of Wednesday’s two Breeders’ Cup win-and-you’re-in races. Trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore also teamed with The Lion In Winter for a first-place finish in the Acomb (G3), earning an invitation to the Juvenile Turf on Nov. 1.

Breaking alertly from post 5 in the field of 13, City Of Troy (4-5 in the U.S., 5-4 in the U.K.) quickly was angled to the rail in the race around one sweeping left turn. Royal Rhyme (99-1, 80-1) raced with him in the early going. Ghostwriter (49-1, 33-1), Hans Andersen (99-1, 250-1) and Bluestocking (9-2, 5-1) stalked them.

Moore kept a tight rein on City Of Troy working through the turn, where Royal Rhyme was joined to the outside by Durezza (26-1, 28-1) as the field approached the homestretch.

With Royal Rhyme beginning to fade, Ghostwriter took up the challenge in the run home. City Of Troy responded when Moore took him to the next gear. Calandagan (6-1, 6-1), who won the King Edward VII (G2) at Royal Ascot, rallied from mid-pack with an outside run, but City Of Troy accelerated yet again under right-handed urging to assure himself of the victory.

“It was a change after the start,” Moore told Racing Post about going to the front. “He got away well, and I didn’t want to be taking him back. He was a little bit idle, but he kept finding all the way to the line. He’s a very talented racehorse.”

Calandagan came in second. Ghostwriter was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third with Bluestocking (9-2, 5-1) finishing 3 3/4 more lengths up the track in fourth.

The winning time on turf rated good to firm was 1.20 seconds faster than the old course record set 15 years ago by Sea The Stars.

“We’ve always felt he was very different,” O’Brien said. “He loves to be on a strong pace, and he gets it really well. Everything he does, strong pace, tactical speed, he stays. He’s tough.”

It was the third consecutive victory for City Of Troy. Since his only career loss came in his ninth-place finish May 4 in the 2,000 Guineas (G1), he has finished first in both the Derby and the Eclipse (G1). As a 2-year-old he won his Curragh debut, the Superlative (G2) and the Dewhurst (G1).

City Of Troy could race next in the Irish Champion (G1) on Sept. 14 before the trip to America, where O’Brien has had 18 Breeders’ Cup winners but none from 17 starts in the Classic.

Lion roars in summer, wins Acomb

The Lion In Winter (8-5, 2-1) contested the early lead before accelerating in the last quarter-mile on his way to a 1 3/4-length win in the seven-furlong, US$215,620 Acomb for 2-year-olds.

Contesting the pace through the first half-mile, the Sea the Stars colt out of the Lope De Vega mare What A Home took the lead with three furlongs to go. Wimbledon Hawkeye (27-1, 22-1) and Ruling Court (4-5, 1-1), who had matched strides early with the eventual winner, finished second and third in that order. The Waco Kid (55-1, 50-1) was a distant fourth in the field of 11.

The winning time was a course-record 1:21.58 without a run-up.

In his only previous race, The Lion In Winter was a 2 1/4-length winner going seven furlongs against 11 other maidens last month at the Curragh.

O’Brien said the Goffs Million on Sept. 28 at the Curragh in Ireland still might be the next race for The Lion In Winter with plans afterward yet to be determined.