City Of Troy falls to American challenge in Breeders’ Cup

It was said here last week that City Of Troy would have to work like a Trojan if he was to win the biggest race on the Breeders’ Cup programme at the Del Mar course in San Diego.

Perhaps he did work like a Trojan, but what he had to offer fell well short of what was required. The thoroughbred, described by his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, as the best he ever trained, could only finish eighth, some thirteen lengths off the winner, the American-trained Sierra Leone.

There was some consolation – in fact, a lot of consolation – for City Of Troy’s owners, Coolmore; they also own the winner.

However, if you were to ask them, they’d probably have preferred it had their other horse won. Already crowned the best 3-year-old in Europe, numbering this year’s Epsom Derby among his wins, City Of Troy was attempting to prove himself on a dirt track, having already conquered all on grass.

Racing on dirt, however, is a horse of a different colour. In ways, it’s like a greyhound racing. A quick break from the gate is essential; those slow away have, literally, the dirt kicked up in their faces.

And that’s what City Of Troy had, having been slower than the others to come away. He had fewer behind than in front of him throughout the race, and it was only late on that he made some progress.

Flat racing is not as popular as National Hunt, and though City Of Troy was one of the most talked about horse in this country for some time, the non-racing public didn’t really latch on to him. Where is he running, someone asked me last Saturday when I mentioned the race was on television.

Contrast that with the time Arkle was in his pomp. That was back in the 1960s, when the greatest ever steeplechaser won three Cheltenham Cold Cups, along with other major races, the Irish Grand National among them. For a number of years, the Tom Dreaper-trained horse was on many lips.

This, however, is not comparing like with like. A star jumper’s career lasts an awful lot longer than his Flat racing counterparts, mainly because there is nothing for him to do but race.

When he retires he can only be turned out to grass, unlike a Flat champion. For the latter, the breeding shed beckons, and if he becomes a big hit with the girls, producing as good as himself, the money he can earn for his owners is colossal.

It was said on the radio on Saturday, during a discussion on the Breeders’ Cup meeting that Frankel, an unbeaten champion of a decade ago, is commanding a fee of £250,000, and he can have as many as 200 visitors in a year. Do the math.

While Aidan O’Brien didn’t win the big one, there was lots for him and his team to celebrate. He won two other major races over the weekend, bringing his Breeders’ Cup tally to 20, which gives him a share of the record.

All of this is a long way from a 1 mile handicap run at Dundalk last Friday night. The fifth of eight races had a maximum field of 14 runners, and among them was Proleek Prince, trained in Deerpark, Ravensdale, by Michael Rice.

Owners are the Slieve Foy Syndicate, comprising a group of local lads. Two of them have strong Dundalk Gaels connections, and one of them told me a number of weeks back that he’d keep me in touch. This I interpreted as, I’ll let you know when he’s a chance.

I could only conclude that on reading Proleek Prince had trotted up at 9/1, giving a bold front-running performance, that my pal had lost my number. Next time, maybe.

There were other local owners in the Dundalk winners’ enclosure recently. Glyde Rangers, name after the team that had a great 2023 season, but came up well short this year, is owned by a group of Ardee and Tallanstown lads, and as one who has backed the gelding quite often, I know that he wasn’t winning out of turn.