City Of Troy surges to Juddmonte International win on huge day for Aidan O'Brien - York Ebor festival day one as it happened

Thank you all for joining me today, and what a day it was.

Did City Of Troy justify all the hype, or is he just a very good horse we should enjoy for what he is? Where would you go next with him? I have to say, I do like the idea of him finishing up in the Breeders' Cup Classic, that would be an elevating achievement in my book.

I thought the second ran a cracking trial for the Arc and tomorrow's Yorkshire Oaks will likely make painful viewing for the Bluestocking camp as its hard to envision a winner of that they wouldn't feel they could beat. They probably got that one wrong, but hats off to them for trying.

Join me again tomorrow as we enjoy an afternoon headlined by that Yorkshire Oaks and featuring the Lowther as well as a half a million pound sales race!

I'll leave you with my favourite image of the day.

City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) beats Calandagan and Ghostwriter in the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

5.20 York

1 Yes I'm Mali (Joe Fanning) 12-1
2 Artagnan (James Doyle) 7-1
3 Far Above The Law (Kieran O'Neill) 9-1
4 Handcuffed (Oisin Murphy) 6-1F

The market isn't too set on Artagnan, who is weak at the head of the betting. Cayman Tai is into joint-favouritism in some places while Sex On Fire and Handcuffed are others for support. Cayman Tai looks like he might just go off favourite?

By Racing Post analyst Mark Brown

A smaller field than the opening sprint but another winner from the low draws, Star Of Lady M racing towards the far side from stall 4 and fairly bolting up, with little getting involved from the high draws until the race was over. 

David O'Meara's filly was clearly on the best part of the track, but had no issue with the drop to five furlongs, following a narrow win over six at Newmarket, and is a likely type for races such as the Portland and Ayr Gold/Silver Cup heading into the autumn. 

Up late for second was the fancied Gutsy Girl, who was held up at the back of the field towards the stands' side. That clearly wasn't the place to be and she'll be of strong interest wherever she turns up next.

Richard Fahey has three in the last, Moving Force, Yes I'm Mali and Peninsula Power. Asked by RUK's Tom Stanley for the pick of the bunch he said: "Possibly Peninsula Power. He's a huge horse and he's just taken some time to come together. Off 72 he'd have to have a good chance, it's just whether he's mature enough to handle it, but he's probably well-handicapped."

City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) are led by Pat Keating after the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

It's a good job the Visit Irish Yearling Sale With ITM Fillies' Handicap is worth £100,000, because Star Of Lady M is likely due some hike in the ratings. She won here off 87 and, on a very basic and arguably conservative rating of the race, her four and a quarter-length margin of victory will likely catapult her into the 100s, which will make life considerably harder.

She has an Ayr Gold Cup entry, and would be close to carrying topweight. That's not to say she couldn't do it, she won with any amount in hand, but she is also a four-year-old filly with 41 career starts to her name, so she doesn't jump out as likely having loads of scope to improve? 

An artsy shot of City Of Troy after the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

4.45 York

1 Star Of Lady M (Danny Tudhope) 13-2
2 Gutsy Girl (Oisin Murphy) 9-2
3 Jumbeau (Connor Planas) 14-1

Betfair go 12-1 (from 20) about Extensio for the Cesarewitch. 

Additionally, they go 6-4 (from 5-2) about City Of Troy for the Irish Champion Stakes, 8-1 (from 12) for the Arc and 4-1 (from 5) for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) are led by Pat Keating and David Hickey (right) after the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

We've had a heartbroken Stephane Pasquier, Aidan O'Brien on City Of Troy emerging from the swamp, and now a very emotional Pat O'Donnell after Extensio's victory in the Stayers Handicap.

Speaking to ITV after the race, O'Donnell said: "Professionally this means an awful lot. Handicappers like this, there are so many variables. If you'd a graded horse it'd be easier because they're as good as they are, so I'd like to give myself a little bit of praise – and Joey [Sheridan, rider]. This is the lucky one. Most equestrians get one in their life and this is our one."

Racegoers in the Clocktower Enclosure at YorkCredit: Alan Crowhurst

I know we've had another race since, but it'd be remiss of me not to relay to you what Aidan O'Brien had to say about City Of Troy's brilliant win.

"It didn't go according to plan and Ryan made the running on him. What an incredible ride he gave him," he said.

City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) beats Calandagan and Ghostwriter in the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We've always felt he was very different. He loves bowling and we've not done it since what happened in the Guineas. He loves to be on a strong pace and he gets it really well. Everything he does, strong pace, tactical speed, he stays, he's tough, everything has me hoping maybe the lads might go to the Classic with him. It's some dream.

"He's the best I've ever trained, we always thought that when he was a two-year-old. We went off the road first run this year, we went right down into the swamp, so to get back to where he is today is incredible."

4.10 York

1 Extensio (Joey Sheridan) 14-1
2 Samui (Jamie Spencer) 3-1F
3 Tritonic (Rossa Ryan) 14-1
4 Quantum Leap (Rowan Scott) 33-1

Stephane Pasquier (runner-up, Calandagan) said: "I'm sad. I'm sad because my horse gave everything. The winner accelerated in front of me. My horse did great, he did a very good turn of foot like in Ascot and when I came from outside I definitely thought I was going to beat him. My horse moved very well over 2,400 meters [1m4f] and today was 2,200 [1m2f]. It can be different next time."

Richard Kingscote (third, Ghostwriter) said: "I'm very happy with him. He ran a lovely race and we got a great run from [stall] 13. I'm very proud of the horse."

Rossa Ryan (fourth, Bluestocking) said: "We went a hell of a gallop and I couldn't hold my position early. She'll be better back at a mile and a half and back in fillies grade."

Rab Havlin (tenth, Ambiente Friendly) said: "He'd a good trip around and the gaps were opening. I think he might have got his tongue over the bit. That's what it seemed like from the two and a half to the one and a half."

City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) beats Calandagan and Ghostwriter in the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Juddmonte International Stakes hero City Of Troy has been cut to 3-1 (from 5) for the Breeders' Cup Classic with Ladbrokes. The firm also cut the Aidan O’Brien star to 5-1 (from 9) for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) beats Calandagan in the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “City Of Troy has silenced any doubters after seeing off his rivals to win the Juddmonte International Stakes and with Breeders Cup Classic very much on the radar, he has cemented his position at the head of the betting.”

By Racing Post analyst Ron Wood

That was good from City Of Troy, a high-class performance in winning the Juddmonte International. Making just about all of the running, Aidan O'Brien's superstar colt was well suited to the big, galloping track at York and kept on relentlessly, lowering the track record - set by Sea The Stars in the 2009 Juddmonte International - by almost a second.

However, everything was right for him. It's quick ground today, and on a flat track, with the wind seemingly helping the runners along, forward rides have been favoured. And the big, galloping circuit was ideal for his long-striding style. He might not get such an ideal set-up again.

The runner-up Calandagan, down in trip from his King Edward VII success at Royal Ascot, ran a blinder from off the pace for second. He was beaten just a length, with a gap back to the remainder.

Speaking to ITV straight after the race, Ryan Moore said: "As the boss said the last day, we let the horse do the talking. He's gone out and done it again. He was an exceptional two-year-old, he's had one bad day, he still got the job done in the Eclipse and he's putting together a very good record.

"It was a change after the start, he got away well and I didn't want to be taking him back. He was a little bit idle, but he kept finding all the way to the line. He's a very talented racehorse.

"He's got a very big engine, good horses have to have speed and and they have to stay. He does that."

Asked if he was as good as he'd ridden, Moore added: "There's no point me talking anymore, people will make their mind up."

Was that the statement performance we wanted? Yes and no. If you'd said prior to the race he'd beat Bluestocking that far, with a horse full of potential like Calandagan the only horse to get near him in a course record thanks largely to a tailwind, then you'd take that.

Ghostwriter is probably the horse people will use to crab the form, and here's what you could say given he's a Derby, Eclipse and International winner. He's a very good horse. Is he an all-time great in the Sea The Stars/Frankel class. Possibly not, but that's an awfully harsh comparison for any horse.

3.35 York

1 City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) 5-4F
2 Calandagan (Stephane Pasquier) 13-2
3 Ghostwriter (Richard Kingscote) 33-1

Again, City Of Troy is solid at the head of the market like Los Angeles was, but as we've seen with The Lion In Winter the Coolmore team will back one if they're expecting a big performance. City Of Troy is 5-4, you'd like to see the market forces shorten him into even-money, or potentially even a shade of odds-on. Those prominent in the market aren't shortening against him either, it's a static market so far.

Ryan Moore is the man who will guide City Of Troy through the Juddmonte InternationalCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Christophe Lemaire gives a positive word for 40-1 shot Durezza. On Racing Post Ratings he only has 3lb to find with City Of Troy, so it wouldn't quite be the surprise the market suggests.

It's been a brilliant hour for Aidan O'Brien with victories for The Lion In Winter and Los Angeles, but let's be honest, if City Of Troy doesn't win here it'll be a disappointing afternoon for the team who have put an awful lot of effort into making sure expectations for this horse are sky-high.

Aidan O'Brien has revealed City Of Troy is back in the same bit he raced in as a two-year-old, for all he doesn't feel it'll make much difference.

Los Angeles (Ryan Moore) wins the Great Voltigeur YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

When challenged on whether he can produce a performance to really wow spectators, he added: "We do our best with every horse in every race, and we want him to show his best. There are a lot of variables out of your control, but we've always thought he's a very special horse. We've always felt he was different."

By Racing Post analyst Mark Brown

Los Angeles may not have been impressive visually in landing the Great Voltiguer, handing Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore a quick Group-race double, but few horses defy a penalty in the Voltigeur, let alone a Group 1 penalty, and he certainly travelled like the class-act of the race.

The Arc looks the natural end-of-season target for him now, although he still holds the option of the St Leger.

Los Angeles (Ryan Moore) wins the Great Voltigeur from IllinoisCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Doncaster race looks ideal for stablemate Illinois, who was also carrying a penalty, and managed to hold off King's Gambit for second.

Illinois, who won the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, will relish the return to a longer trip should he be given the nod for Leger, whereas it would be no surprise to see King's Gambit revert to ten furlongs in the autumn.