'An incredible horse from day one' - City Of Troy crowned world's best racehorse alongside Laurel River at Longines awards

Derby hero City Of Troy and Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River shared the spoils after they were named joint best racehorses in the Longines World Racing Awards on Tuesday.

In a ceremony at The Savoy in London, the pair joined previous winners such as Frankel, Flightline and Equinox on the honours list. It is the first time the prestigious award has been shared since it was split between Crystal Ocean, Enable and Waldgeist in 2019.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained City Of Troy received a world ranking of 128 following a season in which he won three of his five starts. O’Brien said: "He was always an incredible horse from day one. He came from Coolmore rated an eight, and they are very few and far between. All the foals and yearlings as they go along are rated out of ten, and an eight is nearly as high as any horse ever rated.

"Usually that’s a disadvantage because if you’re focused on a horse that much they do feel the heat and they do crumble, but he was one of the unusual horses who kept taking it. He was given every question and test, but he kept passing it."

City Of Troy storms to victory at Epsom in JuneCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

City Of Troy’s campaign last year did not get off to the best of starts with a below-par performance when ninth of 12 in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, but he bounced back in scintillating fashion with victory in the Derby a month later.

"We always thought the world of him," added O’Brien. "The whole thing went out of the window at Epsom and it was very hard to get him back from that.

"He went to the Derby without a trial and he’d never run over a mile. Everything was new to him but Ryan [Moore] was very patient and gave him a brilliant ride."

Further Group 1 glory followed in the Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International – which was named as the Longines race of the year – before City Of Troy ended his career with an eight-placed finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November.

Laurel River: won the Dubai World CupCredit: Neville Hopwood (racingpost.com/photos)

The Juddmonte-owned Laurel River also received a ranking of 128 after a stunning eight-and-a-half-length success in the Dubai World Cup in March.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar said: "I’d be lying if I said I knew he was going to win by a margin like that, but I definitely thought there wasn’t a horse going to come and beat him."

Kyprios also provided O’Brien with another winner on the day when he was crowned champion stayer following an unbeaten 2024.

The champion sprinter award was split between Cogburn, I Wish I Win and Ka Ying Rising, while Via Sistina was voted the top-rated filly or mare in the world.

Dual Group 1 scorer Shadow Of Light was the top juvenile champion for Charlie Appleby and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes scorer Charyn was named champion miler.

Read more:

Juddmonte International crowned world's best race again at Longines awards following City Of Troy's York heroics 

City Of Troy emulates Frankel to give Ballydoyle their first world champion since Hawk Wing 

Magnificent pair head rankings in a far from vintage year with decrease in higher-rated horses a cause for concern 

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