City Of Troy Again on Top in G1 Coral-Eclipse

For the third time in his career, City Of Troy (3c Justify x Together Forever, by Galileo) crossed the line in front in a Group I with a victory against his elders in the Group I Coral-Eclipse.

Going 1 ¼ miles on the turf, last year’s European Champion 2-Year-Old was keen to run but willingly listened to Ryan Moore when asked to settle. Always in touch with the leader, he made his biggest move with a quarter mile left to run as he battled for the lead.

Digging deep on the soft group, he dug deep to vanquish Ghostwriter near the line then held off Wootton Bassett’s Al Riffa to win by a length.

“He is a beautiful, good-ground horse and a real fast-ground mover so he has won today despite the ground,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien. “It was proper soft ground today, softer than when he won the Dewhurst last season – it was tough, specialist ground. I'd imagine the Lads will now look at the Juddmonte or Irish Champion Stakes before America. He could finish up in the Breeders' Cup Classic–that is what he is bred to be.”

A homebred for Coolmore, the colt has won five of his six career starts with four of those coming in group stakes.

“Ballydoyle is founded on North American blood and it's a very important race for us. We want to try and do something a bit out of the ordinary, so whatever happens we'll keep trying to do it,” John Magnier said of aiming for the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

One of five stakes performers out of Group I winner Together Forever, City of Troy is a full brother to the Group III placed Unbelievable and half-brother to Group III winner Military Style.

Together Forever is following a Group I winner-producing tradition as one of three Grade I winners for her own dam alongside the Group I Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together and Group I winner Lord Shanakill.

City of Troy has a juvenile Uncle Mo half-sister named Takemetothemoon as well.

City Of Troy is the first Group I Epsom Derby winner to win the Coral-Eclipse since 2015 and is one of only five horse to pull off the double.