Kentucky-bred City of Troy cemented his status as one of the leading 3-year-olds in the world on Wednesday, Aug. 21, with a scintillating front-running score in York’s Juddmonte International S. (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). His final time of 2:04.32 established a new course record. It lowered the previous standard of 2:05.29 set by Sea the Stars (IRE).

The win was the fourth in a Group 1 race for City of Troy, who also annexed the Coral Eclipse S. (G1), the Betfred Derby (G1), and the Dewhurst S. (G1). Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, and trained by Aidan O’Brien, City of Troy is now a winner in six of seven lifetime starts. Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt bred the son of  Justify in Kentucky.

“Ryan (Moore) decided to make the running on him and what an incredible ride he gave him,” O’Brien told Racing TV. “I’m so delighted for the lads, and we always felt he was something very different. Things haven’t gone right for him some days, but he still overcomes them which makes it very special.

“He is a horse who loves to be up with the pace and a strong pace and he gets it really well,” O’Brien added. “Everything he does, he stays. He is tough and we’re hoping the lads might go to the (Breeders’ Cup) Classic with him. That would be some dream. He is the best I have trained, and we thought that as a two-year-old, we always thought that. He is the most special horse we’ve ever had.”