RACING
The megastar colt silences his critics with an emphatic Derby success and there’s plenty to celebrate for the Gredley family in the historic race
Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey
AFTER weeks of speculation, megastar colt City Of Troy silenced his doubters with a commanding victory in the Betfred Derby, providing trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record-extending 10th win.
The much-hyped son of Justify and the unflappable Ryan Moore burst through the pack with that breathtaking turn of foot, powering clear of the James Fanshawe-trained Ambiente Friendly to land the 245th running of the race by 2¾ lengths. The conviction of 3/1 favourite City Of Troy’s performance led the Ballydoyle trainer to proclaim his protégé was, without doubt, “the best Derby winner we’ve ever had”.
“So many people have put their heart and soul into City Of Troy and Ryan gave him an incredible ride,” said O’Brien of the colt who runs in the colours of Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. “We knew the 2000 Guineas went wrong [see box, right]. I made mistakes training him. He has the cruise, the balance, and he quickens and he stays. He’s an incredible horse.”
Jockey Ryan Moore, celebrating his fourth Derby success, described the colt as green but “sensational”.
“He was going to win very easily – he quickened well and you’d have to be delighted with that,” he said. “It was hard to know what would happen today, but he was brilliant.”
DRAMA AT THE START
THE Richard Hannon-trained Voyage stumbled out of the starting gates, unshipping jockey Pat Dobbs. But carrying on loose, he led the pack in the early stages, when Moore was happy to drop City Of Troy towards the rear to allow him to lob away in his typically relaxed manner. The colt made stealthy headway around Tattenham Corner, before that pulsating drive to the finish.
“With the loose horse in front of him, he wasn’t sure what to do – he was pricking his ears, then he changed his leads near the line, then he galloped out strong,” said Moore. “It’s never going to be 100% smooth with a field that size from where we were, but I was able to pick a path. He took me there early and easily, and the race was over and he was in control of it
