Horse Racing News: Al Riffa Narrowly Defeated by City of Troy in Hotly Contested Race
In a thrilling race at Esher Racecourse, the highly anticipated showdown between the consistent Group One winner Al Riffa and the talented City of Troy unfolded with dramatic intensity.
Al Riffa, a son of the esteemed stallion Wootton Bassett, has proven time and again to be a formidable contender, having secured a Group One victory at the tender age of two. Returning from a recent excursion to America in top form, the connections of Al Riffa decided to target the Esher contest, aiming to take on the might of Aidan O’Brien’s Derby hero, City of Troy.
As the field turned for home, the momentum seemed to shift in favor of the four-year-old Al Riffa, with jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle urging his mount to give every ounce of effort. Though briefly threatening to move alongside City of Troy in the closing furlong, Al Riffa ultimately fell short, conceding a one-length advantage to the winner at the finish line.
“I think we all thought for a moment he was going to make it interesting and he did. I’m very proud of him,” said trainer Owning Hill.
He went on to reveal that the team will now gear Al Riffa’s campaign towards a step up in trip, with the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in early October being the primary target.
Clive Cox, the handler of the valiant runner-up Ghostwriter, was equally pleased with his charge’s performance, noting, “It was a tremendous performance bar being beat and he has run with full credit. We are all very proud of him and he has tried very hard.” Cox believes that a mile and a quarter distance would suit Ghostwriter perfectly, with the Juddmonte at York being a potential next outing.
This captivating race at Esher Racecourse has set the stage for an exciting buildup to the Arc, with Al Riffa and City of Troy firmly in the sights of racing enthusiasts. As the season progresses, the battle for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize promises to be a thrilling one to follow.
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