Horse Racing News Update: John Oxx Believes City Of Troy Poised For Breeders’ Cup Classic Glory
In a recent statement, renowned horse trainer John Oxx, known for his work with the legendary Sea The Stars, feels that this could be the perfect year for Aidan O’Brien to finally capture the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic with his talented colt, City Of Troy.
Oxx’s assessment is based on City Of Troy’s impressive performances this season, which include victories in the Derby, Eclipse, and Juddmonte International, the latter of which saw the horse break Sea The Stars’ track record. With the Coolmore partners backing the horse, O’Brien and his team believe City Of Troy is the ideal candidate to take on the top American contenders on the dirt surface.
The colt’s sire, Justify, is an American Triple Crown winner, which gives hope that he will adapt well to the dirt track. Oxx also believes there is no clear standout horse in the United States this year, further boosting City Of Troy’s chances.
Reflecting on Sea The Stars’ decision to skip the Breeders’ Cup in 2009, Oxx explained that the owner was not particularly interested in the event, as the focus was on winning the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe that year, which was held at a surface similar to the all-weather tracks in Europe.
While Justify has proven to be a versatile stallion, producing top-class dirt and turf horses, City Of Troy’s dam, Together Forever, was a turf specialist. However, Oxx believes that the colt’s half-dirt breeding, combined with the current state of the three-year-old and four-year-old divisions in the United States, makes this the ideal year to attempt the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
With City Of Troy currently the 7/2 favorite for the event, racing enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between the Coolmore representative and the best of American racing at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.
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