'Incredible' City Of Troy claims Dewhurst Stakes

6 months ago 34

City of Troy wins the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket

City Of Troy is 10-1 to win the Triple Crown of the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St Leger Stakes in 2024

Aidan O'Brien said City Of Troy was the "best two-year-old I've trained" after the colt's comfortable victory in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

There were concerns about running the 8-15 favourite on soft ground, but they were dispelled as Ryan Moore steered his mount clear of the field.

Alyanaabi (6-1) was second, three and a half lengths back, with 25-1 shot Eben Shaddad third.

"He's got a jet engine," said O'Brien, of his record eighth Dewhurst winner.

City Of Troy's odds were immediately cut to between evens and 5-4 for next year's 2,000 Guineas after maintaining a 100% record with the third win of his fledgling career.

He is also now highly fancied for the Derby next June.

"We knew he would hate the ground but we have never had a horse that doesn't get tired," added O'Brien.

"Everything we have asked him to do he has found it very easy and we have never got to the bottom of him, so very unusual.

"You needed tractor tyres to go in that [soft ground] today and he hasn't got tractor tyres, but what he has got is a jet engine. So his engine just pushed him through. An incredible horse, really. The best two-year-old I have ever trained, certainly."

The son of Justify made a winning debut at the Curragh in July and then blew the field away to take the Superlative Stakes by six and a half lengths later that month.

He was withdrawn from the National Stakes in September because the ground was considered too soft, but showed his ability to adapt at Newmarket.

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