'He really is breaking new ground' - bookmakers report unprecedented ante-post interest in City Of Troy's Classic bid

City Of Troy has broken new ground in international ante-post interest for his Breeders’ Cup Classic bid according to Coral – but bookmakers have opposing views on his likely starting price on Saturday night. 

Aidan O’Brien’s stable star was as big as 33-1 for the Classic on the morning of his Derby success at Epsom in June, but is now the general 7-4 favourite after being drawn in stall three for the $7 million (£5.39m/€6.48m) 1m2f event.

City Of Troy was given an opening price of 14-1 with Coral after his Guineas disappointment in May, and the firm’s David Stevens believes a number of factors have been behind his popularity with punters.

He said: “City Of Troy’s Classic bid has really captured punters’ imagination and he’s been extremely popular in the context of ante-post betting. I don’t think another horse can compare in terms of international ante-post interest and he really is breaking new ground.

“It’s not just his racecourse performances that have driven that, and the Southwell gallop played a big part in boosting the support we’ve seen. He’s always provoked plenty of debate, but one thing that has never wavered is Aidan O’Brien’s belief in him, and that’s another big factor behind the money we’ve taken.”

Stevens believes City Of Troy could drift on raceday but does not anticipate him being a significantly bigger price.

“We’ll take most of the money on him on Saturday, and if he does win he’ll be a significant loser," said Stevens. "That will be offset by what a great story it will be, and even more so for us as we love to see a Coral-Eclipse winner achieve great things.

“I can see him being bigger odds on the day as he may not be favourite in America, but he won’t ever get that big here and will remain our best-backed horse in the race.”

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The 2024 Breeders' Cup kicks off at Del Mar on Friday eveningCredit: Edward Whitaker

Paddy Power have similarly experienced “unprecedented” international ante-post support for City Of Troy and are fearing victory for the Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner on his final start.

Spokesperson Paul Binfield said: “It’s marvellous the race is being shown on ITV as the support we've seen for City Of Troy is unprecedented and he'll be comfortably our biggest ante-post loser of any international race in the last ten years.

“We feel the weight of support and hype has driven him close to the bottom of the range for his possible SP. He could return around the 2-1 mark.”

City Of Troy (Rachel Richardson, yellow saddle cloth) leads Aidan O'Brien's string against the backdrop of the grandstand at Del MarCredit: Edward Whitaker

William Hill have similar expectations for City Of Troy’s SP, and victory for Ryan Moore’s mount has the potential to cap off a costly meeting.

Lee Phelps, spokesperson for William Hill, said: “Success for City Of Troy would be a massive blow for us, with our Breeders’ Cup results almost entirely resting on what happens in the Classic. If another major European horse also wins it could be a disastrous evening, potentially pushing losses into seven figures.”

Pat Cooney, the spokesperson for bet365, anticipates support for City Of Troy to intensify on the night and could see him going off shorter than 7-4.

Cooney said: “Historically the meeting is an acquired taste for many, and we’ll definitely be busier at Ascot and Wetherby that afternoon, so a City Of Troy victory would only be a relatively small position, and it genuinely would be great for racing if he wins.

“Such is the respect for Aidan O’Brien in America, I feel City Of Troy will continue to be popular on the day and return nearer 6-4 than 2-1, especially after the draw.”

Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, 9.41 Del Mar, Saturday
Coral: 7-4 City Of Troy, 7-2 Fierceness, 6 Forever Young, 9 Sierra Leone, 10 Ushba Tesoro, 16 Highland Falls, 20 bar.

Read more . . .

City Of Troy gets gate three in the Breeders' Cup Classic as draws are made for the entire Del Mar spectacular 

Analysis: why City Of Troy will have no excuses after kind Breeders' Cup Classic draw - plus a runner-by-runner guide 

From 33-1 to 7-4 - City Of Troy's journey from 2,000 Guineas flop to Breeders' Cup Classic favouritism 

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