What does City Of Troy's pedigree say concerning his chances in the Breeders' Cup Classic?

The build-up to City Of Troy’s Breeders’ Cup Classic bid has been fascinating to follow, with some convinced he will take to the dirt given his sire Justify was a US Triple Crown winner and others less so.

Justify won all six starts, three at Santa Anita plus the Triple Crown races at Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont Park, all on dirt, though of course every surface is slightly different.

He has made a fabulous start to his stud career, with seven top-flight winners, including two at last year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, Hard To Justify in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Just FYI in the Juvenile Fillies on dirt. The latter is one of the sire’s two elite level winners on dirt – the other five have all done the business on turf.

Turning to the distaff side of City Of Troy’s pedigree, he is out of Group 1 Fillies’ Mile winner Together Forever, by Galileo. Her famous sire started second favourite for the 2001 Classic at Belmont Park but could manage only sixth behind Tiznow on what was his swansong.

Together Forever, a sister to Oaks heroine Forever Together and half-sister to another Group 1 winner in Lord Shanakill, has produced three winners on the all-weather, albeit at a level far removed from a Del Mar Grade 1.

Interestingly, it recently emerged that Coolmore’s US stud, Ashford, was keen to stand City Of Troy upon retirement. Presumably they felt he could appeal to breeders of all stripes, including owners of dirt-oriented mares.

City Of Troy’s background certainly gives him a shot of running well on Saturday, but ultimately it was decided he will begin his stud career in County Tipperary next year. We’ll soon know if the Coolmore hierarchy made an unchallengeable call.

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