Aidan O’Brien, the successful trainer, was unable to provide a clear-cut reason for City Of Troy’s disappointing performance at Newmarket’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas. The thoroughbred, sired by American Triple Crown winner Justify, was impressive in his two-year-old season with a victorious start at the Curragh and two successive wins in Newmarket’s Superlative Stakes on the July Course and the Dewhurst on the Rowley Mile.
O’Brien, who boasts an impressive Classic trophy collection with 10 victories at the 2,000 Guineas and nine Derbys, has always expressed high regard for City Of Troy. Post his successful run in the Dewhurst race, O’Brien commented: “The likes of him, we’ve never seen in our stable. Without any reservations, he’s the top two-year-old we have ever trained.”
However, despite having a smooth preparation before his first performance as a three-year-old, City Of Troy fell short of the punters’ expectations. Enthusiastic followers gathered around the parade ring to see this highly esteemed colt before he started his gallop, in hopes of witnessing the first odds-on winner of the 2,000 Guineas since Frankel did it 13 years earlier.
Nevertheless, unlike Frankel’s awe-inspiring performance at Newmarket, 4-6 favourite City Of Troy seemed agitated in the starting stalls, a behaviour he had not exhibited before. Although he was off to an energetic start, securing an early lead, it was evident by the middle of the race that he was struggling to keep up the pace. Eventually, he fell back, finishing ninth amongst the 11 participants, trailing behind Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech.
According to O’Brien, City Of Troy was not himself having been upset in the stalls. He went on to say that the placement in the stalls was unplanned, and ultimately, this stellar colt wasn’t able to show his best form on the day. O’Brien is hopeful that this setback is temporary and that we will see more from City Of Troy in the future.
While City Of Troy’s Triple Crown hopes may have been dashed, his trainer, O’Brien can still hold out hope, looking back to the comeback of Auguste Rodin. Despite falling short as the hot favourite in the preceding year’s 2,000 Guineas, Rodin surged back to capture the prestigious Derby victory at Epsom and Curragh. O’Brien articulated, “He’s always been a reliable horse, so now we need to decipher what occurred and take measures to prevent its reoccurrence.”
Meanwhile, Richard Hannon confessed to experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions following Rosallion and Haatem securing second and third places respectively. Applauding his Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere champion Rosallion’s remarkable performance in the year’s first Classic, Hannon also acknowledged Notable Speech’s remarkable late race surge that stole the show.
Additionally, Haatem, Rosallion’s stablemate from Craven Stakes witnessed commendable praise for securing the third spot. Hannon expressed, “Both horses had a remarkable run and despite the disappointment, I can’t undermine their performances. Rosallion had an excellent run – I confess the sight of City Of Troy falling behind did raise my hopes.”
Hannon shares a hopeful outlook, adding, “Being defeated was disconcerting, but his potential win in the future might compensate for this loss. This has been amongst the most competitive Guineas in a decade, and both my horses clearly demonstrated their Group One potential. Rosallion has already bagged a Group One, and I’m confident Haatem will follow suit,” he furthered,” thus providing much to look forward to.”