Joseph O'Brien: 'The Classic is a pretty rough race if you're on a bad horse - but City Of Troy has all the attributes you need to win'

Joseph O'Brien has given the thumbs-up to City Of Troy's bid to win the Breeders' Cup Classic for his father Aidan next month – and the trainer certainly knows what will be required after reflecting on his own near-miss in the race 11 years ago.

City Of Troy's absence from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has improved O'Brien's chances of winning the race himself with Al Riffa and he was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in that day's newspaper in which he reflects on Al Riffa's big-race preparations, his transition from top jockey to top trainer and the reasons for his latest shift from a truly dual-purpose operation to a predominantly Flat set-up.

Joseph O'Brien (left) with his father Aidan before the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in 2017Credit: Edward Whitaker

It was in that sphere that O'Brien made his name as a rider, winning 31 Group 1 or Grade 1 races, but Declaration Of War's close third in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic, beaten by a nose and a head in an epic battle won by Mucho Macho Man, is remembered as one that got away.

"I think he would have won if he had swapped leads about 100 yards earlier than he did," O'Brien said. "I couldn't get him to change on to his off-lead in the straight. It was his first run on that sort of surface, and it took him about half a furlong to change leads. I feel he might have won had he changed leads earlier.

"It was still an incredible run and an incredible experience to be beaten a head and a short head. We got a really good run through the race. Even though he had cover, we didn't get much kickback. I got a good trip and I was on a good horse. I'd say if you're on a bad horse it's a pretty rough race."

City Of Troy: bids for Breeders' Cup Classic glory on November 2Credit: Edward Whitaker

Ryan Moore will be entrusted with the ride on City Of Troy at Del Mar on November 2 and can rest assured he is certainly on a good horse, City Of Troy having well and truly put his 2,000 Guineas disappointment behind him with victories in the Derby, the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International. So does O'Brien think he can win?

"I think he can, but you don't know until you go. I do think he has the right traits for the Classic. He has a good cruising speed, he has gate speed and he's very tough. You need a bit of luck in running and a good draw, but he has all the attributes you need to win a Classic."

Read more from Joseph O'Brien in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday. Click here to sign up.

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